What stereotypes should I expect?

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I need to know what kind of stereotypes will I be expecting if I become a male nurse.

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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!

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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

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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.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

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?"

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

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

As everyone has said, the two big ones that you may come across is that you're gay or that you failed out of/couldn't get into med school.

Another thing is that besides being mistake for a doctor, people may also mistake you for a nurses' aide, orderly, tech, or maintenance personnel...anyone but the nurse.

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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.

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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.

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

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.

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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.

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Specializes in Emergency.

"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!

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