Men in Nursing

mcmike55 · Sep 6, 2004

Bryan: I've been in nursing since 1974, but actually grew up with it.

My mother is a RN. She was there in the older days (40's & 50's) where you really did it all and saw tons as well. Stuff we only read about now.

I guess I learned to love the profession from seeing her and her friends, and seeing how much you can do as a nurse, how important nurses can be and how much they loved the job.

During the 70's when I came in, a male nurse was basically one of three things.

1. a medic in the war, and didn't know anything else.

2. using nursing as a stepping stone to being a doc.

3. you are gay.

I tell you, for me, there was a #4. I wanted to be a nurse. Take care of people, be at the bedside, in the trenches as it were, and have hands on.

I currently work in OR, and float to ER (ED). I love it. Trauma and ortho is my favorite. I can't really think of anywhere else I would like to work.

Yes, being a guy can be a bit of a draw back. Sometimes I feel more like a pack mule, lifting and carrying, because the "girls" can't (or won't). But where I work, that's an exception, not a rule. Also, I don't get any GYN type cases when in ED. You know what, I don't mind! Sometimes the assignments are shifted, because I'm a guy, but most times not.

That to me is a compliment. My work is judged not because I'm a guy, but because I'm a good, competent nurse.

rollingstone · Sep 6, 2004

Hello Bryan, welcome. I've had an interest in biology from junior high. I joined the navy after high school and was a hospitalcorpsman. Eventually enrolled in nursing school. Yes, men are a minority in nursing, but not a bad place to be a minority. I knew when I graduated that the job market was wide open. Lots of choices and lots of work out there if you want it. So, jump in. The water's fine. I think most of the men here would concur.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2004

Ive always enjoyed it

I went into for many reasons

1. working with and meeting good looking women

2. job security and good money

3. flexible hours so I could meet more good looking women

4. no work related injuries

5. good retirement plans

6. Lets party all the time with good looking women

7. My wife said to do it.

ps

PS

number 7 is the only one that really counts

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Sep 7, 2004

Been a nurse for 21 years and have never regretted the day. The profession has provided me and my family with many opportunites and in return, I have been able to to care for and nurture people. It was the best decision I could have made when I was 19 years old. Go for it ... you won't regret it.

Ted · Sep 7, 2004

I went into nursing for economic reasons. I STAY in nursing because I enjoy what I do and I respect, support and truly like my profession.

Good luck with your decision! :)

Ted

dan the man · Sep 7, 2004

1) job security

2) love people and solving there problems

3)money is good

4) I actually love the studies of life science and the related

5)mother was a big influence, shes not a RN but works a the hospital with them.

6)work with majority of women =)

7)I hope im right but it seems very exciting and challenging which im convinced I must have as a career

Rep · Sep 7, 2004

I am a licensed nurse in my country although I am not working as one. I only worked a couple of years before I changed career. My favorite area was medical surgery, although I have rotated to ER from time to time, because thats where one can build up skills. As a male nurse, I have never encountered any problems regarding my gender except in OB/GYN cases.

I say If your heart is to go into nursing, then go for it. GOOD LUCK!

oneLoneNurse · Sep 7, 2004

Money and security. The AARN signed a great new contract in the early 80s I thought to myself there's a great spot. While I was studying computer science the province offered free tuition and a small stipend to take nursing. I jumped at the chance and have never been sorry. Now I combine computers with nursing.

Prejudice has two sides. There will be those patients, supervisors and instructors who dislike male nurses then there will be those who love them. I have found the good balance the bad. Don't say anything sexist, don't swear, don't make unwarranted passes etc. etc. and you will be fine.

Nursing has made me more patient, more empathetic and provided me with a career since 1984. I have travelled/worked extensively in the US and Canada. I might regret that I never worked overseas.

zenman · Sep 7, 2004

I'm a nurse because...uh...I forgot!

NeuroNP · Sep 7, 2004

Are there any big advantages to being a male in nursing? For instance, I've had several female nurses tell me that the best thing that could happen to nursing would be to get more males involved to balance things out. Is there any kind of recruitment going on? Potential scholarships? After all, when I did my undergrad, there was a big push to get females into engineering becasue they were such a minority in the field, and they offered scholarships as a recruitment incentive. Anything like that available for a guy who finds himself (for the first time EVER!) a minority?

bryan

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2004

Bryan, there are all kinds of scholarships and incentives to bring both sexes into nursing, so be sure to look into that. Florida has nursing scholarships, as does a lot of the hospitals. Where I work nursing students work 16 hours as a tech, get paid 40 hours of pay, plus all books and tuition paid 100%, for a two-year post-graduatea committment.

I don't notice any big advantage or favoritism trying to bring men into nursing, we just need nurses period.

Good luck!