Male Nursing Students

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Hi guys!

I am doing a report on the current nursing shortage, and the role that men play in it. It seems that a lot of the shortage could be avoided if more men would join the field. What are your opinions, and how do you feel about being male in such a female dominated industry? Any suggestions for making nursing more attractive to the fellas too?

Thanks!

Heather

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Hi guys!

I am doing a report on the current nursing shortage, and the role that men play in it. It seems that a lot of the shortage could be avoided if more men would join the field. What are your opinions, and how do you feel about being male in such a female dominated industry? Any suggestions for making nursing more attractive to the fellas too?

Thanks!

Heather

1. there is no current nursing shortage, definitely not for new grads.

2. help with "shortage": men don't quit or take extended breaks from nursing as much as women do. men don't miss as much work as women do. a larger percentage of women nurses work pt verus men.

3. it's great being a male in a female dominated field, frankly the work is nice and easy.

4. more money needed to attract more males, but the real reason more men are slowly entering is because the typical above avg male jobs are and have been going down the drain for a long time.

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There is a nursing shortage right now. Check the following link.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/factsheets/nursingshortage.htm

My nursing school was really looking to recruit men. Worked for me.

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come on zip, did you actually read it, it's virtually all about what's expected to happen in the future (projections), not what's going on right now (reality). the only now stat (about 8 months ago) i read was that 21,000 health career jobs were created in health care in june 2009, but they don't know how many were nurses.

most of the stats/references used on that whole page are prior to the start of the recession, dec 2007.

if you search the web and these forums you can actually see what's happening now or just ask some nurses that actually work in health care.

there is a stockpile of new grad nurses that is building, because they can't find a job or find full employment, that is reality.

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Dude- do you know where I could find info and stats on the buildup of nurses looking for work?

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Let's get real here, there are nursing jobs available ... for nurses with EXPERIENCE. At this point and time, new grads =/= nurse, not matter what test you passed or what those two letters at the end of your name mean. Yes I do realize hospitals DO hire new grads but at a alarming low level because of the recession, but you get my point. You want to solve the nursing shortage? Pump an insane amount of money into hospitals so they can hire again ... yeah good luck with that if you even remotely follow politics ... As for the OP. Nursing is not just a "job" you can "attract" perspective students/second career populations into. This is not a desk job ... you are in charge of PEOPLE ..., that and nursing schools are PACKED, we cannot churn out enough nurses .. even according to the so called future statistics even if we wanted to. We took a little informal survey ... prof asked us how many of us wanted to become nurse educators ... 1 ..... 1 single hand out of 40.

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There is a nursing shortage right now. Check the following link.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media/factsheets/nursingshortage.htm

My nursing school was really looking to recruit men. Worked for me.

The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) has a significant, even burning, one might say, interest in continuing to attract large numbers of potential students to nursing schools. It's worth keeping that in mind when one reads the material they publish about what a great career opportunity nursing is.

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Hi guys!

I am doing a report on the current nursing shortage, and the role that men play in it. It seems that a lot of the shortage could be avoided if more men would join the field. What are your opinions, and how do you feel about being male in such a female dominated industry? Any suggestions for making nursing more attractive to the fellas too?

Thanks!

Heather

2 be honest i can still quite remember back in nursing school doing rounds in OB esp. my 1st assessment really made me feel uncomfortable working with my hands and all. I would say that was the hardest part that i had to go through. :eek:

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I see these posts and the statistics every day, Im in my late 30's and I worked in the building industry all my life with down turn in the building industry I starting and completed my CNA this year.Topped my class and even enrolled in a BSN program, which I may or may not get into due to limited placements.

As for employment opportunities I would suggest men be aware there are not as many positions out there as you think. I started applying for positions three months ago even before I had completed my course. I had one interview and I was highly recommended by the HR department to the Nurse Manager and I still have not had a call back.

I have twenty years of working experience owned my own business, completed and passed and EMT cert in 2007 and now completed with straight A's and high board exam score for my CNA cert and the only position I was offered was in the VA and as a perm resident not a Citizen I did not qualify.

So if your like me family to feed and looking to find a career change consider how long you are willing to try and get into the nursing field. If your not willing to go the long yard get your truck driving license.

I am disappointed in the Hospitals in my area but I am willing to fight for what I have chosen to do, I just feel sorry for the women in the industry that are in my path, and have been a round block, I am not a forgiving boss and I have long memory.

So to my fellow Male CNA's and future fellow RNs keep fighting for your brothers in the industry it may be a female dominated industry but we have a much needed position to fill in the industry and I believe men are more compassionate and level headed then the female nursing staff give you credit for.

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Specializes in Army Medic.

To those who think there is a nursing shortage - tell that to all of the new graduate students who have been out of work for months, some over a year.

The projected nursing shortage is based around when the Baby Boomer generation retires - and in all likelihood there will be a shortage.

However, I've heard students who are as naive as to think that Hospitals come to colleges to offer the nursing students jobs upon graduation - it just doesn't happen.

We're in an economic crisis, with a 10%+ unemployment rate. What that means for employers, is that there is a lot of experienced workers out there that they can get for cheap. Why would you hire a new graduate, that is going to cost your company money to train, when you can get some one with 10+ years experience at the same pay grade because they're desperate?

Yeah it sucks, and when we pull out of this recession it probably will be as lucrative a job as it used to be, but if you plan on having to fight off the employers offering jobs within the next 2 years or so - fresh out of school - you're dreaming.

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Heather-

Thanks for asking the guys. I think most guys just don't realize how well they can do this.

We've all assumed nursing as more requiring the skill set of a mother than a scientist. I've really enjoyed the systems thinking. (Critical Thinking Wasn't Invented by Nurses!). And I'm not sure why, but my PTs count compassion coming from a man as something special and powerful. That's probably a sad commentary on us guys.

Every guy I know doing this had a guiding experience or person (usually a woman or two) that made him aware of the possibilities in nursing. We need all types!

And don't pay attention to the people that say there's no shortage. I sold employment advertising before starting school last year. I know the recruiters. The fact they still have jobs and still advertise prove there's a need for good nurses with good attitudes. In West Texas we don't seem to have a hard time employing new grads. Come on over! We 've always needed more hard workers and fewer complainers.

The Mullygrubbers are scared they're gonna have to work for a hard working young lady in pigtails! You sic em, girl! I'll work for you. You push, and I'll pull!

A New Start

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

I've found a lot of research articles, and a few books, focusing on men in nursing. I'll PM you the sources.

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