Men Nurses ???

daf2bb · May 21, 2001

As a RN working in one of the top 5 hospitals in the US in Critical Care, I find the question becoming such a non-issue. In my hospital, a large portion of critical care and regular floors are staffed by male RN's. I have worked in numerous large hospitals, and finding a "gay" nurse is definitely a minority. The guys I have worked with range in age, life experiences and race. I currently work nights with 12 guys, all married, out of a total staff of 55, plus one of our ANM's is a guy. Guys tend to get along better. Yes there can be arguing, but not nearly as long lasting and mean as I have witnessed among my female companions. I have been in this profession for quite some time, and I am having trouble remembering when it was last that I had any difficulty being accepted by a patient.

Yes I have been mistaken for the physician, I refrain from smacking the patient for calling me down like that and explain, I know more than that "I'm your nurse".

If you want to be in nursing, jump feet first. We are having a ball, great hours, money could be better, but can't it always.

Most people I encounter are very pleased with the large number of guys in our hospital. We are quietly taking over. We are nurses, not male...men... or boy nurses.

Enjoy Nursing. Remember...It's not a job...It's an ADVENTURE!!!!!

Ps. ladies could you cut back on always asking us to lift your patients, our backs get sore too.

Daf2bb

lpnandloveit1 · May 22, 2001

20 years ago I was working in a Catholic hospital and the hospital policy was that a male nurse, orderly, or Dr. insert male caths. I had of cours been doing this for quite some time and was suprised that I was no longer able to do this. Anyway, we had no male nursing staff working any place in the hospital at the time exept in E.R. and couldn't pull from there so had to call in a resident to insert a cath!!!!! boy was he happy. the problem was that he had never insterted a cath before and I had to talk him through it with an alert young patient. I guess it was o.k. if I looked, I just couldn't touch. by the way if the on call resident had been female that would have been o.k..

Miamipete001 · May 22, 2001

I am extremely happy to hear all the positive and some interesting points, everyone is making. It has definitly inspired me more and allowing to think and advance my mind more.............Thanks !!!!

I currently started volunteering in a large hospital, and I am assigned to the ER. I am looking to employ myself, in and entry level position as a ED Tech or CNA.

I am in the process of getting certified. (CNA) I think I would like to work as a CNA, in the ER. Does it exist ? and any points and/or opinions ??? I like the ER..........

And what usually are some responsibilities of a CNA ????

Thanks in Advance..............

Pete

Brownms46 · May 23, 2001

Originally posted by Pete:
I am extremely happy to hear all the positive and some interesting points, everyone is making. It has definitly inspired me more and allowing to think and advance my mind more.............Thanks !!!!
I currently started volunteering in a large hospital, and I am assigned to the ER. I am looking to employ myself, in and entry level position as a ED Tech or CNA.
I am in the process of getting certified. (CNA) I think I would like to work as a CNA, in the ER. Does it exist ? and any points and/or opinions ??? I like the ER..........
And what usually are some responsibilities of a CNA ????
Thanks in Advance..............
Pete

Hi Pete,

Congrats on going for your CNA! I have seen many CNAs, Techs in the ER. They skills and responsibilities varied with the hospitals. But some were able to do treatments, apply splints, draw blood, obtain Vital Signs, do EKGs, etc. It just depends on the hospital. I know a OB/GYN who started out as an orderly, then LPN, then RN, and finally MD. I wish you the best in whatever path you choose.

Brownie

CEN35 · May 23, 2001

Pete......

Just Go for it!

:)

kennedyj · May 28, 2001

I am a male nurse and am about 1/3 the way through my degree to be a certified nurse midwife and ob/gyn nurse practitioner. I enjoyed the ER/ trauma but family nurse practitioners are becoming over saturated at least in the military. Midwives are in demand and there are few male. I have a daughter and like women so I guess Im covered on the homophobic part. I would like to have a practice with a couple of ob/gyn docs someday and most of the physicians are male. so go figure.

While working labor and delivery and the ob/gyn clinic I rarely have encounters where people feel uncomfortable. I think if you present yourself well in a friendly professional manner patients will be ok with you. Especially if you are doing a pap smear or breast exam.

Jared