I find that as a man in nursing, I encounter a lot of sexism from my female coworkers. When I am doing my shift in labor and delivery I'm always called out of my patient's room if one of the nurses wants help with lifting heavy patients or things and instead of helping me lift, they stand and watch as I do the lifting.
They make remarks about me being a "male nurse" which I find to be a sexist term. I don't call them female nurses.
The unit secretary also makes very sexually suggestive remarks to me constantly. I mean, if I said to her the things she says to me, I would be fired in a heartbeat.
I've tried to explain that some of their behavior and phrases are sexist and as such offensive, but my concerns are dismissed. The reason I was told is that, I am a man and men have been sexist against women for years. So I should be able to handle women being themselves.
Questions for the guys, is it sexism and/or does it feel like sexism when your inherent charateristics are appreciated and asked for? Physical strength, protective instincts, stature type stuff. (If you possess those).
And how does the staff respond if you offer those up? Offended or appreciative?
I am a male. I am a nurse. Being male is the only thing that makes me different from female nurses. I don't want to be different. I just want to be my patient's NURSE. Thank you female doctor.
Specializes in MedSurg,Cardiac,Mental Health,Clinic.
I find that as a man in nursing, I encounter a lot of sexism from my female coworkers. When I am doing my shift in labor and delivery I'm always called out of my patient's room if one of the nurses wants help with lifting heavy patients or things and instead of helping me lift, they stand and watch as I do the lifting.
They make remarks about me being a "male nurse" which I find to be a sexist term. I don't call them female nurses.
The unit secretary also makes very sexually suggestive remarks to me constantly. I mean, if I said to her the things she says to me, I would be fired in a heartbeat.
I've tried to explain that some of their behavior and phrases are sexist and as such offensive, but my concerns are dismissed. The reason I was told is that, I am a man and men have been sexist against women for years. So I should be able to handle women being themselves.
Anyone else run into issues like this?
I'm a short small boned nurse and it is hard for us women to move around patients especially if the patients are bigger men. We're not made the same physically as men. I really don't think you should take it so hard that they are asking for help moving patients. It's not sexism. Most of the men I know usually don't mind helping a girl if they know she has trouble with the lifting and moving.
I'm a short small boned nurse and it is hard for us women to move around patients especially if the patients are bigger men. We're not made the same physically as men. I really don't think you should take it so hard that they are asking for help moving patients. It's not sexism. Most of the men I know usually don't mind helping a girl if they know she has trouble with the lifting and moving.
I understand the physical differences, but I don't think that is a good excuse. I was a tech before a nurse, and I don't have a problem helping. But I have experienced, numerous times, at different facilities, men being the first call for lifting people. I have a herniated L5 S1, and now a likely torn cartilage in my knee. I want to maintain as much quality of life as any of my lady counterparts, so yeah, don't call me first. I could say I'm not built to move people anymore too, maybe moreso, because I have the injuries to prove I have not bailed on my duties. When we hired on, being able to do all of the job was in the description, so do all of your job.
Libby1987
3,726 Posts
Questions for the guys, is it sexism and/or does it feel like sexism when your inherent charateristics are appreciated and asked for? Physical strength, protective instincts, stature type stuff. (If you possess those).
And how does the staff respond if you offer those up? Offended or appreciative?