As a male, the term "nursing" has always been an obstacle to me. The concepts of "nurse" and "nursing" come entirely from the feminine - breast feeding, and wet-nursing. The rather modern concept of a "male nurse" thus carries a self-contradiction that is preserved in the language and the culture.
So it seems quite natural to find that the term "male nurse" carries its typical stigmas, that males are dwarfed by females in pursuing work in the nursing field, and that nurse shortages continue to exist around the world. It seems quite a logical concept to consider changing the common institutional name of the nursing profession itself from "nurse" to the more inclusive "medic."
Such a change is likely to have an positive impact on the nursing field, making it less of a woman's role, and opening it up culturally and socially to young men seeking to be of help in the role of medicine, but whom are not endowed by nature with exclusively feminine capabilities.
I agree that 'male nurses' should be refered to as 'medics'.
The word 'nurse' is a gender-specific term, it's a feminine word, like 'actress'.
To say 'male nurse' is like saying 'male actress' - the two words don't go together.
We talk about a mother nursing her newborn. The word nursing is always (or mostly) associated with the feminine. It's a female word!
'Male nurses' could be called hospital medics, or just 'medics' for brevity.
The word 'medic' is a generic unisex word - it can be applied to many kinds of people with medical training whether military or civilian eg: paramedic (civilian), field medic (military) etc.
Now I do understand that the military use the word 'medic' when refering to a soldier with medical training BUT we are not talking about a military setting we are talking about a CIVILIAN hospital, therefore considerations about rank do not come into it because it's a civilian setting.
'Doctor', on the other hand, is also a unisex word - it can refer to both sexes.
There are gender-specific words and there are unisex words!
It's not about sexism or discrimination, it's about respecting and appreciating the distinctions between the masculine and the feminine and not blurring the lines between them to satisfy political correctness. When refering to a man a masculine term needs to be used and likewise when refering to a woman a feminine term needs to be used - this is true in ALL professions and walks of life.
No, it isn't. The English language does not have gendered nouns, unlike French or English. Neither is "nurse" gendered in it's definition, like "female" or "mother".
That the name of a profession practiced largely - but not exclusively - by women would be considered demeaning to men has more to do with the more toxic aspects of male socialization than anything else. Guys who are vulnerable to that assumption (IOW scared someone will call them a girl) might want to think about challenging it, if only for the sake of their own mental health.
I agree that 'male nurses' should be refered to as 'medics'.
The word 'nurse' is a gender-specific term, it's a feminine word, like 'actress'.
To say 'male nurse' is like saying 'male actress' - the two words don't go together.
We talk about a mother nursing her newborn. The word nursing is always (or mostly) associated with the feminine. It's a female word!
'Male nurses' could be called hospital medics, or just 'medics' for brevity.
The word 'medic' is a generic unisex word - it can be applied to many kinds of people with medical training whether military or civilian eg: paramedic (civilian), field medic (military) etc.
Now I do understand that the military use the word 'medic' when refering to a soldier with medical training BUT we are not talking about a military setting we are talking about a CIVILIAN hospital, therefore considerations about rank do not come into it because it's a civilian setting.
'Doctor', on the other hand, is also a unisex word - it can refer to both sexes.
There are gender-specific words and there are unisex words!
It's not about sexism or discrimination, it's about respecting and appreciating the distinctions between the masculine and the feminine and not blurring the lines between them to satisfy political correctness. When refering to a man a masculine term needs to be used and likewise when refering to a woman a feminine term needs to be used - this is true in ALL professions and walks of life.
I dare you to call an EMT a "medic" in front of a Paramedic. In some places you might get away with it and in most you won't. A medic or Paramedic in the civilian world has considerably more training than an EMT.
Hospital medics in the civilian world are not nurses either. Ever hear of professional titles? These are the titles established by the professional board which gives you your license and scope of practice.
Medic and nurse are two very different education, career paths and licensing boards.
Your insecurity is obvious. Maybe you should stick to the EMS discussion page where this topic is running its course. If you have chosen not to go to nursing school because you don't want to be called a nurse, the profession is better off with you not in it. I can only imagine what your opinion is of female medics.
I dare you to call an EMT a "medic" in front of a Paramedic. In some places you might get away with it and in most you won't. A medic or Paramedic in the civilian world has considerably more training than an EMT.
Hospital medics in the civilian world are not nurses either. Ever hear of professional titles? These are the titles established by the professional board which gives you your license and scope of practice.
Medic and nurse are two very different education, career paths and licensing boards.
Your insecurity is obvious. Maybe you should stick to the EMS discussion page where this topic is running its course. If you have chosen not to go to nursing school because you don't want to be called a nurse, the profession is better off with you not in it. I can only imagine what your opinion is of female medics.
- I have the highest regard for female medics and nurses - some of the members of my own family are nurses - truly remarkable women - like I said: this is not about sexism
- I have the highest regard for female medics and nurses - some of the members of my own family are nurses - truly remarkable women - like I said: this is not about sexism
What's a female medic? Is it anything like being a male nurse?
I dare you to call an EMT a "medic" in front of a Paramedic. In some places you might get away with it and in most you won't. A medic or Paramedic in the civilian world has considerably more training than an EMT.
Hospital medics in the civilian world are not nurses either. Ever hear of professional titles? These are the titles established by the professional board which gives you your license and scope of practice.
Medic and nurse are two very different education, career paths and licensing boards.
Your insecurity is obvious. Maybe you should stick to the EMS discussion page where this topic is running its course. If you have chosen not to go to nursing school because you don't want to be called a nurse, the profession is better off with you not in it. I can only imagine what your opinion is of female medics.
Actually, you kind of have a point! I would never ever call an EMT a "medic" in front of a Paramedic.
Emergency Medical Technician does sound a lot better than 'male nurse'!
In fact Emergency Medical Technician sounds a lot more impressive than 'medic' even !!
Here's one: in the military some soldiers are given medical training, some of these soldiers are female, these are female medics!
Medics in the military have completed required and rigorous training and have earned the title of medic, regardless of gender. In the military I assure you that both male and females share the same military occupational specialty (MOS) code.
I am a female, I am a nurse, and I am a paramedic. I was also in the military and I am married to a former Army combat medic. No one should call themselves "medic" unless they are one. Period.
heron, ASN, RN
4,661 Posts
No, it isn't. The English language does not have gendered nouns, unlike French or English. Neither is "nurse" gendered in it's definition, like "female" or "mother".
That the name of a profession practiced largely - but not exclusively - by women would be considered demeaning to men has more to do with the more toxic aspects of male socialization than anything else. Guys who are vulnerable to that assumption (IOW scared someone will call them a girl) might want to think about challenging it, if only for the sake of their own mental health.