Increasing the Number of Male Nurses

Nurses Men

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I am a 35 y.o. male nursing student. After having read several posts across various threads that discussed the need for more male nurses, I thought it would be interesting to start a thread with reasonable suggestions for attracting more males to the nursing profession. Here are my suggestions:

Nursing School

  1. Drop the girly white uniforms. History is great and all, but every profession needs to keep up with the times. Like it or not, most people's image of medical professionals is molded by TV. As such, I believe more guys would be interested in nursing if we moved to a more up-to-date look that is more gender neutral - as generally portrayed on medical shows. Maybe we could utilize our school colors or something to identify us a students rather than looking like 1960's nurses.

  2. Drop the feminine graduation requirements. Again, history is great and all, but a lot of guys just don't want to walk down an aisle carrying a candle. If you act like nursing is a female-dominated profession, then that is the way it will stay.

General

  1. Add more men's scrubs/nursing shoes/accessories. Most uniform shops and online stores only cater to women. While I don't expect them to be 50/50, it would be nice to see at least a reasonable area to devoted to men other than paramedics. I would like to have a "nursing" watch that isn't white and doesn't have hearts and other feminine things on it. Create a line of items that are for male nurses, and you'll see more men become interested in the field.

Kevin

piper_for_hire said:
.... and what does liking tea have to do with it? For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of a tea party:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_party

-S

Well I know in Germany a lot of people take a Coffee break at the same time. People actualy leave their work to go home (if they can) just to have coffee with the wifey/hubby (Frauy/Herry). But yeah... my supervisor and I have tea almost every night when we get our first break. I even brought in a kettle from home.

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Specializes in PACU.

How many men have any idea what goes on in one of the graduation ceremonies prior to attending? I don't think that's stopping men from becoming nurses. The uniform shops I've been to do have sections for men's clothing, though I'm sure others vary.

My only complaint re: the white pants I had to wear with my teal shirt was that the darn things got visibly dirty too easy. Unless they require purple or pink, who cares?

I'm not saying there are not lame things out there, but everything mentioned in this thread is not known by most male potential applicants. The perception that nurses just hold hands, cry, give meds and wipe butts definitely is a much bigger factor than any of the above.

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Specializes in orthopedics, ED observation.

Oops... See complete post below.

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Specializes in orthopedics, ED observation.

I would agree that changing the public perception of nursing roles and responsibilites would go further toward interesting more males in the field. Of course, DS17 has rejected the option out of hand because he doesn't want to learn "all that anatomy stuff".

I might add that many female students have similar (as well as additional) reservations about white pants. Visible dirt around the cuffs before the start of a shift because of parking lot construction is not a professional look...

Pinning ceremonies that honor the history of nursing can be handled in ways that don't feel exclusive to male members of the class. If fact, candles are probably a good compromise, compared to flowers which are what some nursing schools still use. (And, yes, I think the candles were probably to symbolize the lamp, at which point I have to disagree with OP's "History is great and all..." dismissive attitude.)

But, I wanted to point out that females have been crossing into male-dominated field for years. (ie the police and musicians mentioned earlier in the thread) Sometimes they stomped their feet and demanded changes for their comfort, and sometimes they chose to blend with the flow of the current environment. But, how often have you heard people (male or female) say that the dress code or graduation exercises need to be changed to draw more females into any given field? (I'm actually being serious here - I can't think of an example off hand!)

I agree we need more men in the nursing field - you bring something unique to the field that women cannot. (ie a male perspective) But, rearranging the physical trappings of graduation and/or school uniforms will not change the realities of being a "nurse" any more than putting on a lab coat will make you an MD.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
Perpetual Student said:
The perception that nurses just hold hands, cry, give meds and wipe butts definitely is a much bigger factor than any of the above.

oh.... and you forgot furiously making out with the hot doctor in the supply closet....

Seriously though... I think it's also important to promote the idea of being a man in nursing to those around us. I always get the snicker and raised eyebrow at first, but then I've got his full attention when I talk about the pay, benefits and what my job actually involves. I've had two older men in my church apply to nursing school after years of doing other more "manly" stuff like truck driving.

I think it's important also that we support the guys we come across in nursing school, as well as all nursing students. A lot of guys I've precepted tend to be overlooked and just going through the motions of clinicals with the rest of "the girls."

I make it a point to precept the guys, and show 'em what's really involved.

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I can tell you why there are not more men in nursing and at least in our area it is pay related.

A starting salery of 20.50 does not motivate many in our region of the nation.

What's sad is we have factory workers who make that to start.

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Want more men in nursing? Tell them they aren't qualified enough for the job because they aren't real men. Spite is a powerful motivator.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Tele, ICU, Hospice.

I was kinna hoping we could petition our congressmen to have beef jerky put into the vending machines. God, but I'm sick of cinnamon buns :trout:

But I have to say, anyone who looks down on nursing as an 'effeminate' profession is definitely speaking out of turn. I've got buddies who are bouncers, a couple of ex-militaries, guys at the gym, cringing at the stories I tell.

Thing is, it takes a certain type. As a CNA, some of the women (and men) I've worked with have held me in awe at how cool-headed they can be. The knowledge and the fortitude that make up a good nurse are a test of anyone's mettle.

So what if I gotta leave my cowboy boots and my gun at home? So what if I have to hold a candle and say a pledge? If I'm helping to improve people's lives in pink teddy bear scrubs that say "BUTT PIRATE" in neon letters across the back, I'm still helping to improve people's lives.

Wow, ok, I just ran out of rant. OP, I've been subject to some of this too. But I know the score, and I hope you do too, and don't worry about what other people think, you're a beautiful and unique (and very manly I'm sure) snowflake

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Specializes in OHS, Emergency medicine.

We get to wear school colors as scrubs at the University of Arkansas.

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nursing is a job, nothing more. if you think your employer or the physicians truly care about you as a person. note how long you last in a conversation when two physicians are talking about medical issues and you disagree w/ a valid point. nursing is a service/humanitarian field. Scrubs are a uniform, be they blue/black/white/polka-dot like waitressing/plumbing. it is to place you in a pegged hole, the only reward is your personal satisfaction.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Perpetual Student said:

I'm not saying there are not lame things out there, but everything mentioned in this thread is not known by most male potential applicants. The perception that nurses just hold hands, cry, give meds and wipe butts definitely is a much bigger factor than any of the above.

I wholeheartedly agree that we need to change the public perception of nursing as a lowly, feminine profession. This alone would do wonders for attracting more men to the field (probably some women as well). And I suspect we won't accomplish this solely through the excellent care we give our patient. Isn't it true that a patient will tell far fewer people of a positive experience than they will of a negative one? We need to get out in our communities and show the public who we really are, guys. Only problem for me is that I've never been an activist kind of person and wouldn't have any idea how to go about doing such a thing. My only idea thus far would somehow entail getting involved with a high school career day or something like that...

Any ideas, guys? (or gals, for that matter...)

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Specializes in Oncology.
pawashrn said:
nursing is a service/humanitarian field.

Unfortunately when we perpetuate this kind of attitude amongst ourselves we greatly diminish the opportunity to be accepted as skilled professionals. Yes, a lot of what we do is motivated by what is right for the patient, but don't think for a second that personal considerations aren't a major factor. Without the pay, benefits and flexibility that most of us enjoy, I guarantee you the shortage would be much worse.

Nobody said that changing peoples' minds would be easy. That doesn't mean we have to lay ourselves down and accept the status quo.

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