I try not to be too sensitive about stuff like this, but it is discouraging that even today people sometimes feel they have to preface the word "nurse" with the word "male," when their nurse happens to be a man. It is discouraging to see a supposedly progressive news organization like Yahoo! continuing to "otherize" us males by using such verbiage:
London (AFP) - A Filipino male nurse was jailed for life with a minimum of 35 years on Tuesday for poisoning 21 patients with insulin at a British hospital, two of whom died. Nurse jailed for life for poisoning patients - Yahoo News
It reminds me of when I was telling my friends and family I was going to nursing school. I remember how my pastor told me, "Do you really want to spend your life being a male nurse?" To which I replied, "No, I want to spend my life being a nurse."
Seriously? What if people called someone a "female doctor" or a "female lawyer?" This is silly.
I remember way back in clinicals at the VA a male veteran asked me if I was gay. I said no, I was married to a woman, etc. He asked to see a picture of her. I obliged. He said okay, you can touch me. Afterwards I felt embarrassed for myself. I should not have to defend my profession or throw my gay colleagues under the bus like that.
I know, flame me or say these are "microaggressions." Maybe you are right. But it is not fair either to our male or female colleagues.
By the way, when did 'murse' become offensive? Sure, it's tongue and cheek, but offensive? I've heard and seen males use the term as a descriptor on decals, so I'm convinced that certain people just look for reasons to be offended.
I was tailgating at a football game with friends last year when another of their friends introduced herself. We shared the same first name and she had come straight from working the night shift to the game. I asked her if she was a nurse. Turns out she was a surgeon. Oops. ....My bad. I don't know if I assumed she was a nurse because she was a woman, or if I assumed she was a nurse because I am in school to be one, but I don't think she liked that I had assumed anything. I guess she gets that all the time. So, I can see both sides with the stereotypes.
I was tailgating at a football game with friends last year when another of their friends introduced herself. We shared the same first name and she had come straight from working the night shift to the game. I asked her if she was a nurse. Turns out she was a surgeon. Oops. ....My bad. I don't know if I assumed she was a nurse because she was a woman, or if I assumed she was a nurse because I am in school to be one, but I don't think she liked that I had assumed anything. I guess she gets that all the time. So, I can see both sides with the stereotypes.
Yep, I have been guilty of this myself. Now, when I see someone in scrubs I try to ask a more neutral question, like "What do you do?"
*note: only if we've engaged in conversation. Not randomly accosting a stranger because they happen to be wearing scrubs.
Once had a an older dementia patient lady ask how long I've been a male nurse. I joked I had been a nurse for four years but a male for only two.
And then once a young man ask me if I was gay. I told him no, that I was happily married to a beautiful woman, but thank you I'm flattered. You will find that special man for you someday. As he retracted saying Dude Im not gay, I said ohh I thought you were since you brought it up.
By the way, when did 'murse' become offensive? Sure, it's tongue and cheek, but offensive? I've heard and seen males use the term as a descriptor on decals, so I'm convinced that certain people just look for reasons to be offended.
It's not offensive . . .it's just like an old joke told over and over. It makes people and groan.
Once had a an older dementia patient lady ask how long I've been a male nurse. I joked I had been a nurse for four years but a male for only two.
And then once a young man ask me if I was gay. I told him no, that I was happily married to a beautiful woman, but thank you I'm flattered. You will find that special man for you someday. As he retracted saying Dude Im not gay, I said ohh I thought you were since you brought it up.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
By the way, when did 'murse' become offensive? Sure, it's tongue and cheek, but offensive? I've heard and seen males use the term as a descriptor on decals, so I'm convinced that certain people just look for reasons to be offended.
My husband is not offended by it. Granted, he does not get offended by most things.
I received bedside report from a nurse who is male and as we were saying hello and goodbye to the patient, he says, "you really earned my respect." I wanted to cringe. Was the off going nurse not respected due to gender? Makes me sad. I do see this as being very generational. The 70s-100s generations are just used to seeing women in this role. Anyway, I bit my tongue. The off going nurse didn't say anything. What could he?
I'm wondering how and if male nurses are portrayed on tv? The last medical drama I watched regularly was 'ER' wayyyy back in the day, so I don't know how far the culture has advanced in portraying nurses. Can anyone shed light on this, are there any male nurses portrayed in popular culture entertainment? The media typically shapes and shifts(or adjusts) peoples attitudes on cultural issues.
There is a great male nurse character on Night Shift. He's was recently promoted to charge nurse and is a central character to the show. Even though the show is medical drama...heavy on the drama, the writers are at least keeping his role as a nurse pretty realistic.
Older WASP types are usually offended very easily. Their opinions and feelings are more important than everyone else's. I'm not surprised that you're offended. As if any of this really matters. Way to point out my typo though. I accidentally spelled role as "roll." Wow, you're good. I think you deserve some sort of prize.
Wow -- how politically uncorrect and all. As an "older WASP type," I'm offended.
Norma Rae was female. Just sayin'.
I'll educate the public on my role as a nurse, you just go right ahead educating people on your "roll."
Older WASP types are usually offended very easily. Their opinions and feelings are more important than everyone else's. I'm not surprised that you're offended.
Whew, that's quite a bit of prejudice for just one post.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Older WASP types are usually offended very easily. Their opinions and feelings are more important than everyone else's. I'm not surprised that you're offended. As if any of this really matters. Way to point out my typo though. I accidentally spelled role as "roll." Wow, you're good. I think you deserve some sort of prize.
and groan. 
lovinglife2015
292 Posts
By the way, when did 'murse' become offensive? Sure, it's tongue and cheek, but offensive? I've heard and seen males use the term as a descriptor on decals, so I'm convinced that certain people just look for reasons to be offended.