Male's in Nursing

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Well i am a 2nd yr nursing student. As a male nursing student i have come accross some people that do not view male's as true nurses, as well as clients not wanting certain treatments from a male. i was just wanting to know from the other males in the profession if they experince this, as well as if the females also find they come accross the same thing.

Jeff

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Please do search on this forum using male nurse, male RN, or just plain male and see the many different topics and replies that have been posted. A lot of the posters from the past are no longer here, so you may get a better feeling for your question from a historical search.

bob

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The only problem I have ever had with client's not wanting treatments from me was for bedbaths or catheterizations on females. Other than that there has been nothing but praise towards me from other nurses and client's because I am going to be a nurse

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I haven't had a major problem. I spent a few years in ICU/CCU and there seemed to be a lot more male nurses in this specialty. Most of my time was spent in psyc. which was another area with lots of male RNs and male techs, so no one thought it too unusual.

When I applied in a community health agency though the supervisor mentioned it may take the clients a little getting used to, seeing a male nurse which shocked me a little as this agency provided services to chronic psyc patients. Everything worked out OK though over my 25+ years.

Ken

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Specializes in M/S, Onc, PCU, ER, ICU, Nsg Sup., Neuro.

I have been an RN for over 18 and have worked in 3 different states and different areas as well. Have been in the ER for 6 yrs now. The only things I don't do are pelvic exams and most foley catheters on females. I have put in a few foleys in women but usually have either female techs or nurses who I can get to do this for for me, in return I do all male foleys. Have rarely ever had female pt's complain about having me as their nurse or not want me to do something for them. When I was in school I too questioned going into nursing because people would ask me why I was not becoming a doctor and so on. After talking this through with a good teacher/mentor that I had I came up with answers for these questions. Why am I not becoming a doc??? Ask them when was the last time that they saw their doc vs. their nurse, and tell you that you treat them as people and not as a disease or medical problem. When asked if I was going to a "male nurse" on graduation, I would tell them, "No, on graduation you get a sex change with the diploma". This will make them smile and have something to think about. When I was in school we only made up about 2% of nurses but it is getting higher % all the time.

So stay the course and hang in there guy. If you have trouble in Canada you can always come on down and work in the states.

:roll Paul:D

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
Originally posted by Heartattaq

...there has been nothing but praise towards me from other nurses and client's because I am going to be a nurse

Ditto here.

Also from management, teachers, preceptors, family and friends.

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does anyone know of any good websites for information on this type of thing?

just curious to know if there is any suport that people have found. thanks

Jeff

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Well i am a 2nd yr nursing student. As a male nursing student i have come accross some people that do not view male's as true nurses, as well as clients not wanting certain treatments from a male. i was just wanting to know from the other males in the profession if they experince this, as well as if the females also find they come accross the same thing.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

This stereotype of men in nursing is changing. Thank god! When I had my first baby I had two male nurses, Paul and Reuben, (that was 10 years ago!) They were wonderful caring nurses. Just as capable as any female. Barriers are meant to be broken. Keep up the good work.

Good luck, Ruby

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Actually I learned something awhile back from (sp) Effibe sorry to butcher your name. But you can actually make sites appear at the bottom of this thread by discussing the topic

Male Nurses

and

Males in Nursing

and things like

number of males in the nursing profession

and possibly

support group for male nurses

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how about male ob/gyn nurses? any of those?

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Males in the workforce

Male Professonals

Males seeking support

Male

working males

males and more males

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Males as professionals

men that work in porefessions

male support

men at work

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