male vs female

MQ Edna · Feb 20, 2000

At our hospital, it is about equal as far males versus females in management positions. But, male nurses seem to get more respect from the physicians and are often mistaken for doctors by the patients and families. Many times, male nurses leave and go back to get their medical degrees. I wish there were males in our profession, I believe that we would be better heard and earn better wages.

MaxNurse · Feb 20, 2000

This is just my opinion, not based on any facts per se. In the area where I live there aren't a lot of male nurses, but the few that I have worked with seems to be taken more seriously by administration. Like when the male goes to them complaining or voicing his opinion about something, we would see changes, where as a female could have complained about the same thing earlier and it was brushed off. Also it seems they are taken more seriously when it comes to patients. For instance (I work in a prison) and when the male nurses give the inmates a direct order, the inmates obey, when a female gives the same order, the inmates obey only after arguing and being threatened with a disciplinary charge. Of course we use this to our advantage. Any complaints that need to be directed to the administration we use the male nurses as our spokeperson

Oldtimer · Feb 20, 2000

What a coincidence, we were just discussing this at work. Male Nurses are allowed to provide sloppier patient care. For example, not giving baths, messier rooms, messier patients. Their complaints/discussions with Administration are taken more seriously. In my Hospital, most Physicians are now taking nurses more seriously and the interaction seems not to be sex based any longer. The older patients still view any male as a Doctor. This even includes the XRAY Techs and Nursing Aides.

Todd · Feb 25, 2000

Originally posted by Tara:
Interested in information for research.....
Does manangement have the same expectations for male and female nurses?

At what level of manangement? Charge & Clinical Managers certainly do. It is as if they would like to see us males fail. I had one tell me that wanted us to fail because we "entered" their "domain". Its OK if females enter the male world, but not the other way around. Just remember, you asked!

[This message has been edited by Todd (edited February 24, 2000).]

ratchit · Feb 26, 2000

Another side: My unit was getting 2 admits. The first was going to a male RN. Then the second was was called out and we were told this was a large, angry, biting person having a possible post-op psychotic break. All of a sudden assignements were switched: I (female) got the nice lady and a male nurse was given the risk-to-life-and-limb. Do the male nurses present feel taken advantage of as far as muscle mass?

MarkRN · Feb 27, 2000

I don't really see any differences where I work. I don't get any special treatment as a male, and I am not targeted to take specific patients just because of my physical strength. I have good working relationships with my female co-workers and managers, and have never been told or made to feel like I "entered a woman's domain" in the field of nursing. It's sad that these things happen in other facilities. My PCM is very fair and takes all concerns seriously, granted they are presented professionally, objectively, and are legitimate in nature. I made some other comments in a response to the topic "male nurses" in the general nursing discussion group - check it out if you have time. I explained that being taken seriously, in my opinion, has more to do with professionalism than gender. Thanks.

markbeer · Feb 28, 2000

Originally posted by ratchit:
Another side: My unit was getting 2 admits. The first was going to a male RN. Then the second was was called out and we were told this was a large, angry, biting person having a possible post-op psychotic break. All of a sudden assignements were switched: I (female) got the nice lady and a male nurse was given the risk-to-life-and-limb. Do the male nurses present feel taken advantage of as far as muscle mass?

Hi All

There is some research to support this theory that there is an expectation of gender roles when dealing with potentially violent situations.

For myself i have been treated differently at times to my colleagues but overall i would say that it has probably balanced itself out with some people giving you an easy time and some hard time. Others however have took me on my nursing skills alone and not gender...[and so then given me a hard time ]

Regards,

Mark

http://www.rnld.co.uk

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