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.
In German, the old term is Krankenschwester (sickness-sister). In modern times, it's been changed to Krankenpfleger (sickness-caregiver), which is akin to the gender neutral "fireman-firefighter" (or "stewardess-flight attendant") switch.
In Portuguese, it's enfermeira (or masculine enfermeiro), meaning roughly "infirmist." In Romance languages, gender ID is grammatically required. In German, gender is also assigned for nouns (as with the old actor-actress, poet-poetess). I think contemporary Germans are slowly catching on to how encumbered their language is when they come smack up against such potential labels as Krankenbruder (sickness-brother), making them start to search out more gender-neutral labels.
In Swedish, it's (sjuk)sköterska (sickness)caregiver/protector, which is nicely descriptive, no gender involved.
First of all, I agree that it is unfortunate that the English language uses such an explicitly female name for nurse. "medical assistant" would be much better. How would women like it if in English the only word for physician was "father"? I bet that would change fast!
Having said that, I think that whatever you call nursing, it's going to remain a basically female profession. Women prefer having a woman care for their personal needs and so do men.
I was a US Navy Hospital Corpsman for 6 years then got a BSN-Nursing and was addressed as Nurse ! I worked 34 years as a Nurse in the VA Hospital and never once had a issue with being called Nurse ! The Army have Medics, Navy has Corpsman, also called Doc or Medic . These names will never change , just as Nurse will not change. We must accept the name with the job and not try to re-invent the wheel !!
Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.
Just wanted to add that the term "male nurse" bugs me as well, even though I'm a woman. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse, regardless of gender. No opinion on what nurses should be called though. :)
When I think hear the term "medic," I think of a first-responder, or a combat medic, so I don't think that's a fit. Honestly, I'm not sure why the term "male nurse" exists. When the original poster says, "I'm a nurse," that says it all.
"Kathy's a nurse, John's a nurse, he's a nurse, she's a nurse."
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
First of all, I agree that it is unfortunate that the English language uses such an explicitly female name for nurse. "medical assistant" would be much better..
*** I very much disagree. I am no assistant. I do not assist the physician. I am a licensed independent provider of nursing services. IMO medical assistant highlights the subservient assumption in our title even more than nurse does.
Are you kidding? I was a medic in the military and that designation meant you were somewhere between a novice technician to a paramedic. When I progressed my training to the level of nursing I left the term medic behind. I don't care if some think this is a feminine term; I earned this designation and would argue to keep it. We don't need any more barriers between male and female nurses.
Nurses practice NURSING. Nurses have autonomy to make certain judgment calls, not simply "carry out orders". The title of "medical assistant" already exists.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
no, "medical assistant" is perfect. a nurse does not practice medicine.
*** of course not, he practices nursing.
she assists someone who does. it's like "executive assistant".
*** uh, who would that be? an executive assistant does things think keep a calender, make appointments, fetch coffee, pick up dry cleaning, answer their bosses phone, etc. i do not assist anyone who practices medicine, well maybe occasionally like then i am assisting during the insertion of a swan line at the bedside, or when a resident asks "what do you think we should do?" but it's not my main job
medical assistant make nurses sound like doctors helpers or hand maidens rather than the independent licensed professionals with our own practice and standards.
by the way, in russian they're called "medical brother" or "medical sister".
but again, whatever you call it, it's still probably going to be a basically female profession. like executive assistant
*** except we are nothing at all like executive assistants.
alan headbloom
74 Posts
In German, the old term is Krankenschwester (sickness-sister). In modern times, it's been changed to Krankenpfleger (sickness-caregiver), which is akin to the gender neutral "fireman-firefighter" (or "stewardess-flight attendant") switch.
In Portuguese, it's enfermeira (or masculine enfermeiro), meaning roughly "infirmist." In Romance languages, gender ID is grammatically required. In German, gender is also assigned for nouns (as with the old actor-actress, poet-poetess). I think contemporary Germans are slowly catching on to how encumbered their language is when they come smack up against such potential labels as Krankenbruder (sickness-brother), making them start to search out more gender-neutral labels.
In Swedish, it's (sjuk)sköterska (sickness)caregiver/protector, which is nicely descriptive, no gender involved.