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.
If a young man is that insecure about this he might want to reconsider nursing as a profession...which is what it is. If you want to be a medic...be a medic!
One could make a similar statement about female firefighters who campaigned to have "fireman" changed to "firefighter." Nurse is no less gender specific.
One could make a similar statement about female firefighters who campaigned to have "fireman" changed to "firefighter." Nurse is no less gender specific.
I kind of hate the "male nurse" thing, too. And that society sees a woman when they hear the word "nurse" (I admit that I do, too, sometimes). "Medic" is a good thought, but that word is already given to another job, plus, the "med" in "medic" implies "medical" practice (to me), not "nursing" practice.
I think the connotation given to the professional title of "nurse" is society's problem to conquer, not the nursing profession's. It is not our problem if people have a hard time dealing with a nurse who happens to be a man. A nurse has a specific job and it can be done by a man or a woman.
P.S. I prefer the term "breastfeeding" to "nursing" - I never "nursed" my baby - she drank milk from my breast, there was no nursing care involved as I ate my lunch and operated the remote with my free hand....
P.S.S. Men can get away with "RN" or "LPN" or "NP". Even I feel uncomfortable calling myself a "nurse" sometimes (and I'm a woman), because I see the white hat and uniform (yes, I'm that bad). I work in an O.R. where it's gross... white clothes are inappropriate! :)
One could make a similar statement about female firefighters who campaigned to have "fireman" changed to "firefighter." Nurse is no less gender specific.
Female officers in my department wear a badge that lists "patrolman" as their rank if they haven't moved any higher up than that.
One could make a similar statement about female firefighters who campaigned to have "fireman" changed to "firefighter." Nurse is no less gender specific.
I think a female fireman is still a fireman...it's what they are...if I were fighting fires and saving lives I wouldn't care doodly squat what they called me! if someone wants to be called firefighter though, I don't see that as quite the same as completely changing the name...for instance to Nurturing Goddess of Fire Damage
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
If a young man is that insecure about this he might want to reconsider nursing as a profession...which is what it is. If you want to be a medic...be a medic! quote]
If a young man is that insecure about this he might want to reconsider nursing as a profession...which is what it is. If you want to be a medic...be a medic! quote]
*** What would we call the medics?
Medics would be medics and the OP would be the healthcare provider formerly know as nurse. Maybe he could have an obscure symbol with which to sign his name too! :lol2:
Etymology: Middle English norice, norce, nurse, from Anglo-French nurice, from Late Latin nutricia, from Latin, feminine of nutricius 'nourishing'
Language evolves over time. In another generation, the people who say "male nurse" will have passed on, and we will be left with people who are used to the profession being staffed by both genders. Just takes time. The OP (what's his name, anyway?) is just stuck in an awkward (for him) time period. Reminds me of when my step-mom referred to my wife as a Lady Doctor. Made me cringe--and want to launch into a feminism rant--which I resisted.
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if someone wants to be called firefighter though, I don't see that as quite the same as completely changing the name...for instance to Nurturing Goddess of Fire Damage
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Mike A. Fungin RN
457 Posts
One could make a similar statement about female firefighters who campaigned to have "fireman" changed to "firefighter." Nurse is no less gender specific.