Males as Nurses

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Jun 18, 2005

I have a degree in another field, and am starting classes in nursing next week. Not one person has said anything negative about my wanting to be a nurse, and I've told a LOT of people what my plans are. And even if someone would dare say something negative to my face about my career choice, I'd have to figure it would be his or her problem.

The field of nursing needs us, and the opportunities are infinite. Welcome!

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jun 18, 2005

So there, right up your ally.

12 yrs ago, I used to get 'the look'. Can't describe it; knew it when I saw it. I worked into the conversation kids or (at the time) wife, and 'the look' disappeared. Not saying it's OK to be homophobic, but you don't get to pick your patients.

Anyway, I haven't seen 'the look' in years. Those days are gone. There are more and more male nurses every year. It's an acceptable occupation. And I so very rarely get asked for a female nurse, less than once per year. I do avoid certain patients, e.g. young female psych patients (I know that I'm a professional; just don't want to defend it against somebody making claims because it gets attention). On the other hand, my female co-workers take full advantage of this by trading their 6'2" 220lb alcohol withdrawal patients; so it balances.

Starting RN salaries fresh out of school in this part of Texas: 20.50/hr

You can make more working agency or being flexible, and certainly, there's all the overtime to be had that I could ever want.

~faith,

Timothy

Miltonrn · Jun 18, 2005

I am thinking about going back to school to get an ADN to become an RN.
I have a 4yr degree and work as well but hate it. The thing is, people think negatively about guys who want to be nurses.
How do you deal with that? Nursing seems to be one of the few careers where you shouldnt have a hard time to find a job but it is so populated by the majority of women that I am wondering as a male will people look down on you?

Hey nurseguy,

I just wanted you to know that if you're interested in nursing go for it! Nursing is a great profession and the male gender can be a benefit. I've seen many nurses advance in their career. Men in particular seem to be able to advance their career at a faster rate.

shodobe · Jun 18, 2005

Been an RN for 28 years and never have had a problem with anyone because of my gender. I worked as A Paramedic, when they were just starting, for 5 years before nursing school. I don't know what new nurses make, but I make 39 an hour, which is pretty good. Remember I have 28 years experience so starting is much lower. I also work in the OR, so guys there are very much excepted over other spots in the hospital. I really don't think of it as a problem anymore but I am sure there are those which look down upon guys as RNs. Go for it, you will never know if you would like unless you try. Mike

2bnurseguy_2005 · Jun 18, 2005

Be an RN for 28 years and never have had a problem with anyone because of my gender. I worked as A Paramedic, when they were just starting, for 5 years before. I don't know what new nurses make, but I make 39 an hour, which is pretty good. Remember I have 28 years experience so starting is much lower. I also work in the OR, so guys there are very much excepted over other spots in the hospital. I really don't think of it as a problem anymore but I am sure there are those which look down upon guys as RNs. Go for it, you will never know if you would like unless you try. Mike

WOW...You fellas rock...The postings you gave are very very very uplifting and helpful. I am still young but wish I would have considered nursing before I gradyuated with my undergrad. I constantly go online looking for a new job while I try to get in nursing school but all I see are Healthcare/Nursing jobs!

And that is a good thing!

Well I guess my hurdle now is getting accepted into a nursing program. ADN seems to be a lil competitive but LPN seems to be easy to get it. But I fear if I do LPN I would be a the low low end of the totem pole.

Again, thank you guys alot for your postings

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

Nurseguy,

I'm a student too. (IF all else goes well, I'll graduate May '06)

Half my family still thinks that this is just a "temp" thing and that I'll go onto Med school. "None are so blind..." :rolleyes:

Many kids who joke about me being "male" and into "nursing", I always offer them to accompany me through a clinical site rotation. Or I offer to do a blooddraw on them for free and check out their health status for free.

Then the excuses come through fast and thick :chuckle

I fell in love with this profession:

- Close interaction with human beings during their time of desperate need

- Directly affect the health, sanity, well being and ultimately life of another human being

- Good monetary compensation

- Endless possibilities, options and specialisations

- Great demand for trained professionals

Those are just some of the reasons. Who WOULDN'T wanna be a nurse? :)

2bnurseguy_2005 · Jun 18, 2005

Nurseguy,
I'm a student too. (IF all else goes well, I'll graduate May '06)
Half my family still thinks that this is just a "temp" thing and that I'll go onto Med school. "None are so blind..."
Many kids who joke about me being "male" and into "nursing", I always offer them to accompany me through a clinical site rotation. Or I offer to do a blooddraw on them for free and check out their health status for free.
Then the excuses come through fast and thick :chuckle
I fell in love with this profession:
- Close interaction with human beings during their time of desperate need
- Directly affect the health, sanity, well being and ultimately life of another human being
- Good monetary compensation
- Endless possibilities, options and specialisations
- Great demand for trained professionals
Those are just some of the reasons. Who WOULDN'T wanna be a nurse? :)

Thanks for your post. I am not in Nusring school YET...I havent started the application process yet but Im scoping out some school saournd where I live at. And I hear they are competitive..So I am PRAYING HARD I CAN GET INTO ONE PROGRAM like next year.

So are you getting a ADN or BSN?

Yah as far as males being nurses, there is alot of ignorance going on about men who are nurses. I hope that doesnt come into the Hospital.

What do you like least about Nursing? I saw your likes in regards to nursing

Honestly before I found this site, I never thought about considering nursing I guess bc I thought it was considered "Taboo'

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2005

LOL. I'm getting my BSN. My school has a two year minimum wait NOW :uhoh21:

As to like least:

1. The stress will LITERALY KILL YOU! Or drive you insane (whichever comes first).

2. Absolute lack of "a life".

3. The insane amount of data you have to cram up in your ehad and keep it ready on your fingertips.

4. I haven't experienced it so far (thank me lucky stars) but my peers have had to suffer from bad, obnoxious and downright rude professors and preceptors :stone They end up making a tough situation worse

5. Last but not least - I've felt that the downsides to nursing aren't advertised enough. I mean, for example some people really freak out at giving a patient a bath or doing a blood draw etc. Nothing wrong with 'em - but I'm willing to bet that such problems can be avoided by emphasising ALL the roles a nurse (or a nursing student) will go through.

grannynurse FNP · Jun 18, 2005

Hi guys, I am a girl but I am assuming it is all right to offer a few observations, I have made over my 35 plus years as a nurse. When I first started, 1964, we had two guys in my class. Poor fellows, we accepted them but no one else did. And I could never understand why. When I went back to school, in 1969 and 1973, we had more males but they also were not accepted as well. I can remember a nun chasing one of my male classmates out of the newborn nursery, he was changing a diaper on a newborn girl.

I believe that the attitudes have evolved over the years. And I believe that it depends on what part of the country you work in, and what area you work in. ICU, ER, psych, they are deemed acceptable, I believe because of your physicial strenght but other areas are suspect. Why, I can make a few guesses but will refrain.

Grannynurse :balloons:

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Don't sweat it, dude.

JACLPN-RN · Jun 29, 2005

I have been a LPN since 1993, I just graduated from an RN program in may.

I have over the years had a few experiences with patients, families, and the worst...other nurses who insinuate that I am a Homosexual because I'm a nurse( not implying that there is a problem with being gay and a nurse...it just was not me).

I too found myself wanting to relay in conversation something about my wife or such. I have not experienced this in a few years. I now work in the MSICU and the nursing staff probably consists of about 2/3 male.

My philosophy now is generally "who cares what they think! If I do my job well enough it will not matter. If I am refused as a caregiver, that is probably not a patient I wanted to deal with anyway. However, I cant remember the last time someone did not accept me as a nurse for the day.

I encourage any male who is interested in nursing to engage the profession.

mwbeah · Jun 29, 2005

Hey all,

I was a labor and delivery nurse for 4 years and had no problems at all (my wife said "better you than me..." . Afterwards I became a CRNA. Men do what makes you happy and just shake your head at those who can't understand.

Mike