Do men deal with nursing better?

Nurses Men

Published

I know that might sound like a dumb question, but I was reading this thread, and I wonder if men deal with the stress easier than women? I mean, we're expected, and socialized to throw ourselves on our jobs. Most "mens'" jobs are backbreaking, stressful, and dirty; from what I see that's pretty much nursing in a nutshell. Am I wrong? Are men more likely to stick with nursing?

Just a thought.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I know that might sound like a dumb question, but I was reading this thread, and I wonder if men deal with the stress easier than women? I mean, we're expected, and socialized to throw ourselves on our jobs. Most "mens'" jobs are backbreaking, stressful, and dirty; from what I see that's pretty much nursing in a nutshell. Am I wrong? Are men more likely to stick with nursing?

Just a thought.

There was a recent study that showed men quitting nursing at a higher percentage (roughly double the percentage) than women, when numbers of male and female nurses out of school for a specific lenghth of time were compared. It has been discussed on this BB - but I do not have the link, Perhaps someone else can provide it.

As such, the answer would be no.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Here is your link---> https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/7-5-male-4-fem-new-nurses-dropped-out-nursing-within-four-years-graduation-22111-7.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know that might sound like a dumb question, but I was reading this thread, and I wonder if men deal with the stress easier than women? I mean, we're expected, and socialized to throw ourselves on our jobs. Most "mens'" jobs are backbreaking, stressful, and dirty; from what I see that's pretty much nursing in a nutshell. Am I wrong? Are men more likely to stick with nursing?

Just a thought.

And women aren't expected to work hard or do "dirty" work? Do you really want to go there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
And women aren't expected to work hard or do "dirty" work? Do you really want to go there?

ever taken a Lifespan Development course?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't need to to know that since the beginning of time women have done backbreaking, dirty work--and dealt with it. We don't need to slap ourselves on the back and talk about how "special" we are for it--we just do it.

Nursing survived for a long time without men. Don't get me wrong, the profession is better for having men in it, but spare me the discussion of how men are better suited for nursing than women. Really.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
The first nurses throughout the world were men. The first nursing school was in India in about 250 BC and only men were felt to be pure enough to be nurses. During the Black Plague, a group of men formed one of the first hospitals to care for the victims.

Men were excluded from nursing in the military in the early 1900's and did not resume this function until the early 1950's, after the Korean War.

http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/nursing.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I think the females are doing a fine job of coping with the stresses and strains. I don't think men are any better. We all have our ups and downs in nursing men included.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I said nursing survived for a long time without men--not that the first nurses were women. Big difference. There was a long period of time when men were excluded, that is what I was referring to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think the females are doing a fine job of coping with the stresses and strains. I don't think men are any better. We all have our ups and downs in nursing men included.

Exactly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't need to to know that since the beginning of time women have done backbreaking, dirty work--and dealt with it. We don't need to slap ourselves on the back and talk about how "special" we are for it--we just do it.

Nursing survived for a long time without men. Don't get me wrong, the profession is better for having men in it, but spare me the discussion of how men are better suited for nursing than women. Really.

I'm not saying men are better suited... I was just wondering if you seemed to deal with workplace stress easier than women.

It's just that men are socially defined by our jobs (it's the first thing you ask a man you meet), and we're expected, whether nature or nurture, to be the unwavering provider. We're expected to be there for our family as a provider, rather than the nurturer. I guess I'm just trying to have a theoretical discussion on gender-roles and whether they help or hurt one sex in nursing.

In the first link I gave, many of the problems people gave to not get into nursing were either because of family, or because their job was unsatisfying. I guess I'd just say every "male" jobs seem to be like that, or that almost every man I've known is dissatisfied with their job, and have little time for their family, but they stick with it...

But I guess my hypothesis was wrong if 7.5% of graduates are leaving the profession. Sorry if I hit a nerve; I wasn't trying to offend. But do any of you feel like your gender-expectations have effected your choice to stay in nursing, or effected any of your choices in your nursing career?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hard to say, you would also need to know the reasons why people are leaving nursing, not just the raw figures of how many are leaving.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment