Published May 12, 2006
magichands
12 Posts
Hello all.
My name is Mathew and I have just accepted a place on a degree for adult nursing. I have always wanted to be a nurse and I am finally taking the plunge and giving up my job of looking after the company systems across the UK and two departments.
I am not worried about working in an environment of predominately women or having the stigma which I have already experienced of going to be a nurse who happens to be male.
However I was wondering is there good way to address this stigma which people clearly have towards blokes as nurses, and whether anyone has a quick fire solution to it?
Also as I haven't experienced ward or actual nursing work yet, what sort of reaction can I expect from colleagues and patients alike?
It would be great to hear from you.
Magichands
papawjohn
435 Posts
Hey Buddy!!!
There is no simple way to deal with the 'male-nurse' thing in an intellectual way. What the word 'nurse' or 'nursing' means is---well, we're mammals, right? So what's a person lucky enough to have XY chromosones gonna do?
There's this 'nurturance' and 'nurturing' thing that I chose to focus on. It's really a very 'daddy' thing to 'nurture' and protect the helpless, sick and injured. And that works for me. I am (in my own mental eye) a protector. Which is very compatible with the male/masculine image.
I bet that if you offer to give comfort and assistance to your patients in a warm and dignified way--you'll be amazed at how welcome you are!!!
It's been a constant theme through my career that people I care for, appreciate me SOOO much. I bet that the same amazement I feel can be yours.
Stay the course if you can, it's a great career if it suits you.
Papaw John
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Hey Magichands, this is 2006 not 1986.
The bottom line is you want to become a nurse, so make it happen.
:beer:
zaggar
114 Posts
In my experience, the whole problem went away when I made the decision not be be self-conscious about it anymore.
To begin with, I kind of hedged around saying I was becoming a nurse. I got a couple chuckles back then.
Now I don't even think about it. I connect me to nursing without batting an eye, and I get nothing but positive responses.