So how does it feel like to be a male nurse

[panjeremy]

So i just started my college one week ago. Even though I already picked my major( Health science which i dont know exactly what that does), i started thinking about switching my major to nurse which i've thought about since this May.

I am a guy in my 18 and I am wondering how it feels to be a male nurse(I think it might seem awkward for those none-male nurse but i think it will be cool) and do we do anything different than regular female nurse. I mean it would be awkward if we have to take care of a female patient.

and I would also like to have some advice as a male nurse.

Thanks a lot for commenting!

[sjalv]

So sjalv..."we must respect our patient's requests as long as they are reasonable". So what does "reasonable" mean? Are you going to be the one who decides what is "reasonable"? That type of terminology will get you eaten alive.

Actually, as the nurse caring for that patient, yes I am the one who decides that.

No, it won't. It's called acknowledging your own boundaries and knowing when to say "no". Regardless of what seems to be rampant thinking nowadays, patients do not have "authority" over their nurses. You can say what your crystal ball is showing you, but I will tell you a certainty: I won't be a martyr in the name of healthcare. I will provide care to the best of my ability to my patients, but I won't compromise my own safety or dignity in the process. It's a common theme for nurses to let patients walk all over them, but there is a line called humanity that should not be crossed. Nurses are still humans and while I will treat patients as if they were my own family, I will not treat them as if they are gods.

I would recommend you flesh out your posts with more details rather than vague, threatening comments in the future.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Details? You mean a quantifiable word like "reasonable". You go ahead and chart that man and see how it works out for you.

[RyFutureRN]

I'm in nursing school right now, and honestly, I used to think I was being judge when I said I was becoming a nurse.... Whenever I'd tell someone I'm in school, and they'd ask what am I going to be, I'd say "well don't judge me, but a nurse". I didn't realize how ignorant that sounded! I love the field of nursing, and that's what I want to be! It feels great being a nursing student as a male, I know it'll feel even more amazing when it's official!

Best of luck, I believe in you!

[RunBabyRN]

I'm in nursing school right now, and honestly, I used to think I was being judge when I said I was becoming a nurse.... Whenever I'd tell someone I'm in school, and they'd ask what am I going to be, I'd say "well don't judge me, but a nurse". I didn't realize how ignorant that sounded! I love the field of nursing, and that's what I want to be! It feels great being a nursing student as a male, I know it'll feel even more amazing when it's official!

Best of luck, I believe in you!

This is right up there with, "I'm just a nurse." No, be proud of your title! It sounds like you've since learned this. Hearing people say these things is like nails on a chalkboard for me. It takes hard work and a "reasonable" (homage to above responses) amount of intelligence to become a nurse.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I worked with a wonderful ICU colleague many years ago.... when anyone asked him "You're a male nurse?" he would just look them straight in the eyes and say ... "which part are you questioning?". I have never heard a better response. It is unthinkable that anyone should feel apologetic or ashamed of being a nurse.

[sjalv]

I worked with a wonderful ICU colleague many years ago.... when anyone asked him "You're a male nurse?" he would just look them straight in the eyes and say ... "which part are you questioning?". I have never heard a better response. It is unthinkable that anyone should feel apologetic or ashamed of being a nurse.

I am so going to use that response throughout my career.