New male nurse getting ready to tackle first nursing job

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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+

Specializes in Med/Surg.

RELAX! We don't bite! I honestly have really enjoyed having male co-workers. Sadly they are both seeking different employment opportunities at the moment and I will miss them, but on the positive side we are getting a new male grad who I am very excited to work with. Most of your co-workers will be happy to you around. My idea of a good conversation starter would be "Hi, my name is ________, can I help you reach or move anything today?" JK, but if you do get asked that please try to be understanding. Being one of the tallest female nurses on our unit I'm 5'10" I'm frequently asked this as well. I wouldn't worry too much about conversation starters, being new to the unit will surely give you a lot of practical things to ask about and if you want to you can always talk about things you are into. I have talked to my male co-workers about things like fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking and its always a refreshing break from shopping and spouses and kids.

Best of luck to you!!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Guys become male nurses just because they couldn't make it as a doctor.

However, some of them act like they're doctors. They're all just a bunch of wannabees.

Most male nurses are weird.

They should have to wear caps, just like the female nurses.

I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

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That's tough. I don't know if I could've succeeded if my first job had been floating. Hard enough learning the ways of just one unit. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
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+

Hey man. Bros before Hos! YOu'll do fine.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
Guys become male nurses just because they couldn't make it as a doctor.

However, some of them act like they're doctors. They're all just a bunch of wannabees.

Most male nurses are weird.

They should have to wear caps, just like the female nurses.

I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

And...most women (and all men) who have this attitude are at least mildly homophobic, typically lower-class/income, resentful (for a number of reasons), have poor self esteem, and a very limited life experience/world view. Without fail. Easy to pick these folks out ;)

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Guys become male nurses just because they couldn't make it as a doctor.

However, some of them act like they're doctors. They're all just a bunch of wannabees.

Most male nurses are weird.

They should have to wear caps, just like the female nurses.

I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

I bet a lot of folks don't get your sense of humor, do they?

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Guys become male nurses just because they couldn't make it as a doctor.

However, some of them act like they're doctors. They're all just a bunch of wannabees.

Most male nurses are weird.

They should have to wear caps, just like the female nurses.

I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

Whoooaaaa.....first of all listen to yourself.:confused: A person becomes a nurse for the love of the career and the love of caring for others. What about the male nurses that work in the ER, ICU, etc.? Are they weird too? Wannabee what? Wannabee caretakers? Before you make a statement based on sheer opinion and ignorance, get your facts straight, write a book (well written book on your found facts) and before you talk or post...think about it again and see if its a wise statement.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Yes, thank you very much, nminodob.

Perhaps I should have put quotation marks around them. They're just a few of the things that I've heard over the years.

Maybe next time I use absurdity in my humor, I should put a little smiley face next to it.

Thanks for your comment...uh, question. (Oops! Was it suppose to be rhetorical?)

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
Guys become male nurses just because they couldn't make it as a doctor.

However, some of them act like they're doctors. They're all just a bunch of wannabees.

Most male nurses are weird.

They should have to wear caps, just like the female nurses.

I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

Hey, I got it right away!!!! I thought it was funny.

Good that you have some perspective when you hear stuff like this. Good for you! :yeah:

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

"Thank you for your support." -Bartels and James

I was working in a small rural hospital when I heard one of those statements. An elderly farmer, who was a patient of mine, told me, "You became a nurse just 'cause you're not smart enough to be a doctor." I nodded and said, "Not smart enough or ambitious enough." I knew he was just giving me a hard time in a playful manner. It was therapeutic banter.

A good sense of humor is necessary, in order to deal with some of the things we have to deal with, in our profession. Obviously, missbecky2006, you have a good one.

I didn't intend to steal this thread from scsunurse's topic. I believe his concern to be a valid one: Not knowing what to expect in a new situation is a cause for concern. I believe he did the right thing to express that concern and ask for feedback. And he did received some excellent feedback. He probably feels a little more comfortable after hearing from those who "have been there and done that". My intention was to playfully expose him to things I had heard in my nursing career. He may just hear these things himself. And those kind of statements aren't really not that big of a deal. As a therapist friend of mine once said, "Something is important because we give it importance."

Thanks again, missbecky2006.

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Specializes in Internal Med/ ID, Geriatric.

Thank you thank you EVERYONE:D for the wonderful info I guess I was thinking to much into it:confused:, I am sorry if I offended anyone by my post was not my intent at all. I am looking forward to my first day and meeting my co workers and i have always been a respectful, easy to get along with CNA/Graduate nurse. I want to wish you all a great weekend and I want to say to all my fellow nurses out there thank you for all you do through thick and thin and to the nursing students stick with it you will make it in the end, thanks again to all who replied

+J+

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Trust me...usually you are so grateful for anothe pair of hands to help out that whether that person is male or female makes no difference whatsoever. Be proud of obtaining your LPN license and go in with an open mind and smile on your face. You seem like a kind and respectful nurse. I bet you will be a hit with the patients and staff. Best of luck.

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