"I didn't know you were gay"

scrubs70 · May 20, 2004

twice this week, I've mentioned to acquaintences of mine that I plan to get into nursing, and the reponse has been a joking "Don't you have to be gay to do that?" sort of response.
Does that stereotype actually still exist? Sheesh. I'll have to let my girlfriend know the bad news. :chuckle

My wife is going to be devestated :roll

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · May 20, 2004

Close minded people will always exsist. Apparently those people have never been treated by a male nurse. Tell them "Yes, you have to be gay, and I'm going to do my best to pull it off so I'll get a job". :chuckle

psychomachia · May 20, 2004

"Don't you have to be gay to do that?"

Does it pay better if you are??

I'm all for pay incentives....

ChrisA · May 20, 2004

Ha! I'll tell them it's on the list of pre-requisites:

"A&P, micro, statistics, human lifespan development, and 3 months in a relationship with a man!"

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 21, 2004

I take turns being charge on my unit w/ a male RN. We have discussed the "male nurse=gay" thing, and he has never been accused pf being gay. It would come as a big shock to his wife and all his kids if he were!

I have another guy RN friend. He has a good comeback for when pts/acquantances/etc say to him "You're a male nurse?"

He replies "Well, I'm a nurse, but I don't deliver the mail."

He gets a kick out the confused looks he gets using that line.

I enjoy working with male RNs, and glad that men now feel comfortable pursuing nursing as a career.

klone, MSN, RN · May 21, 2004

If you want a chuckle, scroll down to the bottom and read the "similar thread" recommendations. :)

beausud · May 21, 2004

hey, had this discussion a while back w/ some of my buddies who are also male RN's. when the situation comes up, my single "straight" friend simply states that we work w/ many many great professionals.. fortunately for him, most of the staff are women. he also adds that he can get a job almost anywhere in the world! furthermore the likelyhood that he'll get laid off is very slim. an old friend of mine who is very "macho" used to rib me about my profession. fortunately for me, this job (which i love) has provided me w/ many opportunities in travelling, as well as other perks. unfortunately for him he had the same opportunities, but he didn't capitalize on them. so to all those who assume that guys are "gay" just cause thery're male nurses, obviously have no clue as to the opportunities this profession has to offer. and if you happen to be gay, so what. to each his own. i think i'll go and take my 10 minute drive to the beach and watch the sunset.. hehe *wink*.. oh wait the hockey game is still on.. what to do.. what to do... laughing all the way to the bank :chuckle

Carolanne · May 21, 2004

I think it's terrific that more and more men are getting into the nursing field. We need to get over the age old stereotype that it's just for women. It's extremely narrow minded to think that a man can't take care of another human being when they are ill or injured. More power to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HyperRNRachel · May 21, 2004

Being gay is a requirement at my school. :chuckle

MtnMan · May 21, 2004

We have 7 men in my A&P class. 2 military vets, one ex state cop, a paramedic, 2 young fellows and an OR tech. So far noone has hit on me and I haven't asked any of them out so I think we are either all straight or the closet is getting crowded. The stereotype is interesting and far reaching. My 10 year old daughter tells her friends that I am a doctor's helper and won't say nurse. A look into the history of nursing will show that most before the turn of the century were men because women were at home. Other than the nuns at catholic hospitals men were along side doctors assisting them. Even the navy has had a hard time with what to call them. They used to call us Pharmacist's mates and that has changed over the years to Hospital Corpsman. Corps representing the fact that we go in the field with the USMC and patch them up in the field. Most male nurses that seem to do well at it entered the field later that I have met. This may have something to do with all that we men "learn" about machismo and what other people think about us somewhere around age 30.

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 21, 2004

..... The stereotype is interesting and far reaching. My 10 year old daughter tells her friends that I am a doctor's helper and won't say nurse........

This is kinda sad. She should be proud to say "My dad is a nurse!"