New male nurse getting ready to tackle first nursing job

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Specializes in Internal Med/ ID, Geriatric.

So I am a newly graduated straight male LPN with plans to go on for my BSN, just landed my first job here in St. Cloud at St. Cloud Medical Group as a permanent float nurse:yeah:. Needless to say I am happy and excited about the new job but also I found out that I will be only 1 of 2 male nurses working at the SCMG :uhoh3: I must admit its a little intimidating, even though I worked at a nursing home/ hospital for 3 years before which was all female staff say for one male RN. I am just wondering about how to approach this new potsition and how to adequately engage with the female staff I will be working with in peds/OB/Surgery/Express Care/Family Practice, and not come off as some douche bag male. My plan is to go to work be patient focouesd and just make myself coach-able but I also I am a little fearful that I could be used as a scape goat being the "new guy" and being male. If any of the wonderful nurses out there on this site could give me some feed back that would be much appreciated thank you. And also some good conversation ice breakers for the first day on the job.:idea: Take care and I hope you all have a great weekend.

+John+

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why do you feel intimidated?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, Critical Care Transports.

I agree with Outerisland - why do you feel intimidated? I have been in healthcare in a number of roles for the last several years, most recently as an RN, and honestly can say that I have never been treated any differently that any of my female counterparts. We have a great working relationship as they value what I have to bring to patient care and vice versa. Also, it should not matter that there are only 2 men that are nurses working at your facility - a nurse is a nurse :).

Why do you feel that you would be the "scape goat?" And just FYI, it might not be such a great idea to start a conversation (as you did in your posting) that you are a "straight" male because then it could portray you as a "douche" that you described. I am also straight, but don't begin a conversation with it. If I want to share my personal life with others then I do when the time is right - but remember, you are there to work and establishing trusting and respectful relationships with your co-workers is essential.

Good luck in your new position.

- Aaron, MSN, RN

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Specializes in Internal Med/ ID, Geriatric.

thank you for replying i will take this all in consideration its already helped a lot thanks

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

In 15 years I never felt that I was treated any differently as a guy. Good luck with your new career.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Seriously, I don't understand your concern at all. And I don't even know what a "douche bag male" would be.

I hate stereotypes with a passion, but I'm going to stereotype here...hopefully it will ease your fears. I have never worked with a male nurse that wasn't a relatively calming influence to the workplace. I'm sure there are some type A murses out there (hence my reluctance to stereotype) but I've never met them.

Please don't go to work with a fear/trepidation that could be translated as "bad attitude" by your new co-workers who don't know you yet. Just be yourself.

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OP, you will probably be in a great position as one of the guys.

I have noticed that the male nurses I've seen are usually not included in the general female snarkiness. It's important to not get started with it or every gossip girl will be pulling you aside and dumping it all on you! Some docs will even spend a little more time chatting you guys up because they want to see what your about. You might find this humorous too. Some nurses might rather spend time with you than the other girls (that would be me) if you end up being a good guy because working with girls can be so very tiresome.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

p.s. If you are going to be used as a "scapegoat" because you're the new guy, it's going to happen whether you're a guy or a girl, straight or gay, black or white. If that's something that takes place in your new workplace, it will happen. To you, or to the next new person.

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Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.

I've always enjoyed working with male nurses. Like the other writer stated they don't do the backbiting that can be so pervasive in the hospital. Most male nurses gravitate to the ER, OR, ICU is what I've seen. Never used one as a scapegoat but will ask them to help me move a patient up in bed! :)

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

Don't worry about being a "male nurse." I have come to grow and love my coworkers of both sexes, but it has come to be that my best friend and most trusted coworker at my workplace is a man. My unit is about 20% male/80% female and we all get along very well. My favorite coworker that I am talking about calls us "just like a bunch of sisters." Hopefully you will get in with a good group and everything will all work out for you. Starting a new job is always stressful and I hope you do well, and hopefully your sex isn't going to have to be something you stress about for very long!

BTW -- isn't "male nurse" as a general rule not really politically correct anymore? Not that I'm hugely hung up on being PC, but, I think that is what I've heard.

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I think you are thinking and worrying too hard. I feel like I have gotten favored treatment as a male nurse from management and coworkers. They all seem to like working with males. I think the fact that when one of my coworkers starts trashing another to me and sees my genuine disinterest in the conversation and inability to contribute to the trashing they know that I'm not trashing them when they aren't around. I feel like all my coworkers respect me for that. Management likes me because I don't get emotional when things don't go my way. You're in the catbird seat and don't even know it yet.

Of course if you come in and start making boob jokes, you will be the "douchebag male". So just save them for your buddies.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
FYI, it might not be such a great idea to start a conversation that you are a "straight" male...
Agreed. I'm not clear what bearing one's sexual preferences have on their ability to do any job, nursing or otherwise.
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