Male RN's question

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Good evening everyone,

Im going to be getting out of the military soon and heavily considering nursing as a profession. I'm a male and am just curious what pros and/or cons there is to being male in this career field?? If any at all. Even if it's just little things you've noticed at work I'd love to get your input.

-Male and female perspective would be awesome!

Thank you!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Beyond certain patient's being more or less receptive to male care givers, there's really no difference from a gender perspective.

It can make shifts go a lot smoother if you have co-workers who help out with the patients who are less receptive to you and vice versa.

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Hi Jamin33p,

I, personally, have not noticed any significant pros or cons to being a male in the nursing profession. There may be a few subtle advantages and disadvantages at times but, I feel these pros and cons can go in either direction. It simply depends on the given situation.

Some folks may say males have an advantage when it comes to being promoted into management positions. I feel this is merely based on assumptions and preconceived misconceptions. I have yet to see any data that backs up this claim, and it certainly hadn't been what I've been seeing in reality. These days, decisions for promotions are almost purely based on evidence of performance.

The last place I worked in America was a rather large university hospital. There wasn't a single nursing manager who was male.

Nursing is a decent profession. There are also many opportunities for advanced practice nursing in America.

If you don't mind me asking... What was your job while in the service? What do you enjoy doing?

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Beyond certain patient's being more or less receptive to male care givers, there's really no difference from a gender perspective.

It can make shifts go a lot smoother if you have co-workers who help out with the patients who are less receptive to you and vice versa.

This.

The only other drawback that I can see is every male wanna be nurse seems the feel the need to start a thread on it. It's 2016, you can be a nurse! Just do the work!

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

The only con i can possibly think of is being the go-to guy for turning patients, pulling patients up in bed, helping get out of bed to chair, fending off the occasional combative patient (or being assigned him), etc. Its not even that bad really but my back needs a break sometimes too ;)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

From a UK point of view have to agree with the others. No difference nowadays - slightly different when I started as it was assumed I was gay. This attitude has gone the way of the dinosaur.

In my department we even have an ex forces guy.

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From a UK point of view have to agree with the others. No difference nowadays - slightly different when I started as it was assumed I was gay. This attitude has gone the way of the dinosaur.

In my department we even have an ex forces guy.

What a tease you are with the anecdote. I wanna hear it!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I was in industrial construction, pipefitter, before nursing...I enjoy being indoors now and being a guy in a predominantly girl environment. Regardless of what you hear, you will be called upon for the heavy lifting and if there is a physical altercation to deal with. We're men and that's what we do. The only time I was ever singled out to not participate in something because I am a male was during nursing school. There were two of us guys in my nursing school class - both of us in our 40's - it was obvious we weren't a "fit." We passed. I'm sure most of the dinosaur instructors from my nursing school are dead now anyway. Nursing offers a broad scope from which to choose and the salary is above average. It's something you can do even when you turn into an Old Dude; guy or gal.

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I was in industrial construction, pipefitter, before nursing...I enjoy being indoors now and being a guy in a predominantly girl environment. Regardless of what you hear, you will be called upon for the heavy lifting and if there is a physical altercation to deal with. We're men and that's what we do. The only time I was ever singled out to not participate in something because I am a male was during nursing school. There were two of us guys in my nursing school class - both of us in our 40's - it was obvious we weren't a "fit." We passed. I'm sure most of the dinosaur instructors from my nursing school are dead now anyway. Nursing offers a broad scope from which to choose and the salary is above average. It's something you can do even when you turn into an Old Dude; guy or gal.

:inlove:

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

The only other drawback that I can see is every male wanna be nurse seems the feel the need to start a thread on it. It's 2016, you can be a nurse! Just do the work!

Good luck!

I'm going to start this thread:

"When I first decided to become a nurse, there was no internet. I had to not only decide which health profession I wanted to go into on my own, but also selected a school of nursing based on information received on materials sent through the mail. I then physically toured the place. This was all without the help of anonymous strangers.

Did I go about this wrong? Should I have sought out a nurses pen-pal group? Are there any late in the game tips for me?"

:rolleyes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I'm going to start this thread:

"When I first decided to become a nurse, there was no internet. I had to not only decide which health profession I wanted to go into on my own, but also selected a school of nursing based on information received on materials sent through the mail. I then physically toured the place. This was all without the help of anonymous strangers.

Did I go about this wrong? Should I have sought out a nurses pen-pal group? Are there any late in the game tips for me?"

:rolleyes:

You screwed it all up. You might not even be a real nurse according to today's standards.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

No pros or cons male-wise.

We're all just Kens in a politically correct world anyway.

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