Nursing as a twenty one year old hispanic male

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Hey guys. Growing up as a hispanic male in the southeast nursing was not really seen upon as a good career because my parents expected me to do a mens job such as a doctor, lawyer or deskjob. I graduated nursing school (bsn) a couple months ago and now I am a registered nurse in georgia at the ripe age of 21. Ive had soo many challenges along the way.

Also does anyone have similar experiences in being a guy nurse at a young age ? Or being a hispanic male nurse ?

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I'm not a Hispanic nurse, nor did I start at a young age.

What I think of when I hear "Man's Job" is you show up on time, work hard, do your job well, bring home the bacon and take care of your responsibilities. Once your family sees this they may change their minds about their definition of what a "man's job" is.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Now you can start your real nursing training so jump in there with both feet and become the best nurse and patient advocate you can be.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I'm not Hispanic but my Filipino cultural background shares a similar bias in terms of male vs female job roles. My parents weren't too thrilled with my choice of career at first but after a while they realized that I am happy in my chosen field and that I was able to support myself financially as a nurse so their minds have changed since. I also graduated nursing at age 21 from a BSN and had not worked any job prior to that. Looking back, I might have worked harder trying to convince people that I am indeed a trained nurse as I looked quite young then. You will get there.

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I was supposed to be an Army infantryman like my Great grandfather and grandfather (RIPs) before me(the force is strong in my family), but I ended up being an army medic and LPN (hooooah?) instead because I thought I was being smart after taking Anatomy 14 and 25 at CCSF in San Francisco.Once in a while, I like to pretend I'm an airborne ranger, green beret, and delta force hooah-hoooah type of dude. But that's Stolen Valor. Anyway, yeah, growing up, men weren't supposed to be male nurses or flight attendants.

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I'm a hispanic second-degree nursing student at 23. My mom has always supported my decision, but my dad has been more apprehensive. He tells people I'm studying medicine but whenever I get the chance I correct him and say I'm actually proud to be studying nursing lol.

In terms of the hospital, I've only had one older woman refuse care on the basis of my sex (also work as a PCA currently). I feel that the culture in the U.S. is shifting more rapidly than ever before and most people are becoming accustomed to seeing male nurses.

I will say that academically, it's really lonely. I 'm the only hispanic male in my class. I don't feel discriminated against per se, but I'm definitely the "other" among the group. I've coped by hanging around other students of color.

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I am a male. Hispanic. 25 years old. Just graduated nursing school in December 2019. My family also is weird when it comes to talking about what I do. My extended family in Honduras often says I work in healthcare or I'm training to be a doctor, but simply tell them that I am an ICU nurse. But overall they're super proud of me. I live in New Orleans, LA.

the ICU I work in is about half/half of male:female ratio. In my experience, males seem to be a bit more relaxed when it comes to high stress situations, but both equal when it comes to the actual job.

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Your parent's views are dated. There are no mens or woman jobs. Do they think Danica Patrick should not drive a race car?

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I think in today's climate, being a male nurse isn't really a big issue. Well, at least in California. If anything, you should be proud that you're young and already a RN!

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Specializes in OR SCRUBULATOR, Nurse Practitioner.

I love my male nurses. I work in the OR and the majority of my coworkers are men. It makes for a rowdy lunchroom and front desk but I love it.

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Specializes in EMS, LTC, Sub-acute Rehab.

I'm an older male nurse. My wife is Hispanic. Her family shares similar views as your family.

Most of them are FOB and work in skilled trades. Her family relies a lot on 'home remedies' and superstitious beliefs (brujas). I sense there is a bit of distrust regarding modern medicine and physicians.

My wife is also the first member of her family to earn a BS. They weren't very supportive of that either. Them: "Women belong in the home, raising children.".

I've run into similar mentalities in rural America. Them: "You're a man. You're not supposed to be nurse. Why aren't you a doctor? Are you gay? Etc...".
I often educate these types of people that men have been nurses since the time of the Crusades in 1096.

IMO it's no so much a cultural but a socioeconomic disconnect.

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

I started work as an RN at 25 y.o.. Didn't have any issues with any family or friends. Then again, I am Filipino and it's expected of me to be a nurse haha. I've had some patients and/or their family members think I'm the doc when I first walk in, but other than that, no problems with being "young" and a bro. If anything, I've been fortunate enough to have plenty of pleasant patients and families throughout my career so far. There have been times where I've been told a patient is troublesome but when I took over, I never had any issues. Honestly, you'll find out the male presence sometimes relaxes the situation. I do charge every now and then and have to come and in deal with rowdy patients or families, but when I'm there things tend to calm down.

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