What stereotypes should I expect?

As a female, I would like to say none, but I know everyone doesn't have that viewpoint. I think if you are friendly, eager to learn, and approachable, who cares about the stereotypes cause they will be wrong.

Seriously though,

Stereotypes can go both ways - you weren't smart enough/couldn't get into med school, your gay...others will respect you more-thinking you are smarter than the female nurses.

I know there is more female nurses than male but I think we(nurses in general) all encounter stereotyping along the way. The younger new nurses, the older experienced nurses, black/white/asian/etc nurses, disabled nurses, school nurses, LTC nurses, ICU versu ED nurses and so on. It all depends on your patient/coworker/location/etc is, what their beliefs are. My opinion is that what is most important is how you react or handle the stereotyping when it happens to you.

Good Luck!

the above poster pretty much nailed it, just do your best and the stereotypes will b just that, garbage.

being a male nurse (got to be a good nurse too) has major advantages and employers know it.

one stereotype many don't mention is, you'll be mistaken for a doctor a lot, ha.

good luck

I was wondering the same thing. I know my own experience as a patient. I've been in the hospital once and had several nurses. Most were very nice and I felt just as comfortable with the male nurse as the female nurse. I'm interested as to what kinds of stereotypes you get from your colleagues? Other nurses, your boss, Dr.'s, etc.

two of the biggies...........

Gay or not smart enough to be a doctor.

for the gay one.....I would say that a few choice remarks of, "well the girls I've dated or my wife(depending on your status) would find that hard to believe." with the doctor one, I use "well, I like caring for people, and when I leave they don't call me at home. Who's the smart one now?"

Insanely rich, handsome, and possibly possessing god-like powers. Havn't you heard that male nurses are the Chuck Norrises of healthcare?

i don't know why folks are so concerned about stereo types.

the stereo types are generalized and are gonna depend a lot on what u look like frankly (age, how u carry urself, hygiene, looks, etc).

as for what ur co-workers and bosses think, generally being a male is a huge plus in nursing for so many reasons. look, most bosses want more males to work for them (there are obvious reasons). most co-workers (90% female) want more males to work with. before becoming a nurse i had no appreciation for how much many women hate on each other, it's insane.

I think the biggest one for me so far is all men are vastly physically superior. This leads to my male classmates and I being asked to lift people we have no business lifting quite frequently.

I have no problem helping, but it's just the constant, "he's got a member, therefore he's got superhuman strength" gets tired.

Well calling your prospective-self a "male nurse" might be the first one .

I believe it also depends a bit on your specialty and geography. Being a male and a nurse in a hospital E.D. in Los Angeles or on a US Naval Ship = not so rare.

Now that there are more male nurses out there, I never think that a guy is gay or could not get into Med. School if he is a nurse. I have watched male nurses flop when they are "cocky," self absorbed, or all knowing when they are new to my floor or when they are floated on to my floor.

As you would expect, some little old ladies (and some young ladies) do not want you assisting them to the bed side commode. But that's a personal preference not a sterotype.

"are you studying to be a doctor"? "oh, you are in nursing school, well we need those too"

"my grandson was studying the same thing as you" (referring to med school)

you do get a lot of hate, especially if your ears are perked up listening for it. just remember that you know much more than these people about your career choice. AND KNOW THAT THEY APPARENTLY DONT READ THE PAPERS ABOUT RN BEING THE TOP CAREER CHOICE OF 2009!

Don't get me about what I am about to say about nursing, I love it with a passion! That said, there is a darker side to nursing that specifically applies to men. First sterotype is that men are physically stronger, so get use to being a fork lift of humanity. Second, alpha male crap still takes place, the language just gets more profesional and medical. third, i am not saying thtat men are smarter than women, I find that physicans of both genders listen more acutely to a man than women. On this point, I know some female nurses as being cracker jack in perfomance as well as professional judgement. Fourth, the spectar of sexual harassment and patient abuse is always lurking around the corner. I do not know one male licensed practioner that has not been accused at some point, including nurses, respiratory therapist, physical therapy, radiologists and all the aides. Just keep it simple and expain everything that you do. As a side note, realize that some people just want attention at all costs, even if it hurts you. You wil experience it and you will have to find your way in dealing with it. The sterotypes, whther true or not, are a bonding factor among male practioners. My overall suggestion is that as soon as you find trouble, alert the nursing chain of coammand and give a full account.