The 1st hell year the same for men?

Published

Specializes in Nursing Management.

I've heard and seen in clinicals that nurses eat their young and that the first year or so many nurses have extremely low self confidence, are always crying, and feel bullied in a sense. Did any of you male RNs feel the same way about your first year? Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's been awhile since I was a brand new nurse but I didn't experience any of that. Sure, there were some frustrating moments but I would expect that in any job. All the nurses I worked with were older than me but they were wonderful mentors and for the most part I was happy. The biggest issue I had was being put as Charge Nurse at night after only being out of school for just a few months. That was a lot of responsibility for a brand new nurse. But otherwise, management and coworkers were just fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ugh. I'm so sorry I didn't realize this was a question just for the men. Guess I read over your topic fast and didn't see that part. :facepalm:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho.

I'm a male, 34 yrs old. Been a nurse 4 years, just starred my first floor position 4 months ago. I work with all females and I am the youngest. They've all been amazing. Ask if I need help, they are always willing help, I run ideas by them. Many times they will tell me how to do something if they think nice never done it before. The key is getting them to like you. If you don't act like an ass or act like your above any task or assignment, all should go well. I was very fortunate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a male who has been a nurse for 3 years. My first job was in a small ICU with all women. I was the youngest by far. I think that being a male actually helped me. I could sit by and listen to them nit-picking each other or the other women on other floors but no one ever gave me crap. I kind of felt like a son to some of them - they were always bringing me food. I've moved on to a very large system now and we are hiring tons of men into my unit. We have none of those "eating their young" issues. The guys I work with are all great and we're all in this struggle together.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Management.
Ugh. I'm so sorry I didn't realize this was a question just for the men. Guess I read over your topic fast and didn't see that part. :facepalm:

Haha no worries, it's still good to know it doesn't happen everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Management.

Thank you for the responses guys.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Some women feel threatened with a male there. But yeah the first year is definitely the hardest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I am 5 months into my first RN job, 2 months on my own after orientation. It's definitely extremely hard on me. Not physically, but mentally. I work in a pretty high acuity SDU and we see a lot. I know my stuff and manage my time pretty well, but still find that when it starts going downhill for a patient, that "time management" tends to go out the window. Calling docs, getting orders, implementing them, remembering the documentation to CYA, and staying up to speed on your other patients really messes with any timeline you might have established. Dealing with confused patients (liver and EtOH withdraw patient's are the worst IMO) is mentally exhausting to me. Initially I found that the overall anxiety to be crippling, but I'm getting over that pretty quickly. Just stay humble, ask questions, understand that help is available, don't put too much on yourself at first. You'll make your own way and form your own opinion. Everyone's different.

I often think of the one scene in Office Space where Ron Livingston goes over his day and goes "I space out for about an hour and state at my desk to look like in working." I would describe my job as the polar opposite of that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's a huge shock after school, for sure. Every manager I met likes Male nurses, but other nurses are give and take. The other males tend to be fast friends, the femmes not so much. Plus you've got the old fogies who have worked there for 5+ years and don't want to hear anything you've got to say, or use your inexperience to slam you with work they should be handling while they go out and smoke or sit on the crapper for 3 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

after my first 6 months, one thing I absolutely learned was NEVER trust anyone too soon and don't talk anything that will give the females to talk about. I am no sexist, but even the females of my age will say that they can never trust the women. I noticed where women gathered at work, someone's name always pops out and they begin to talk smack. I am at a new place, and I sure for hell won't trust anyone or give them anything to talk about. I think silent people in nursing are very smart and wise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's just individual unit culture. I think average age and degree how much you enjoy your work make a larger difference but hey, ratio of male to female RNs may also be a huge attribute. My unit is 50/50. My home girls unit is majority female with a wide range of experience and age but she loves it too. Maybe California nurses are happier (:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion