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.

Specializes in Long Term Acute Care.

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.

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I'm not even in nursing school and already getting stereotyped.

I met with one of the family friends from church and they asked what I was doing, I hesitantly said "nursing". The first thing the guy asked was, "what are you, gay?" (he's one of those guys that likes to joke a lot). I've noticed that now he doesn't really look at me the same way as before. He looks and talks to me more like I'm a failure or something and I'm someone who couldn't get anything going in life so I decided to go into nursing. Obviously he doesn't know a lot about me but still it kind of has an indirect impact on me that makes me second guess myself.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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?"

while it used to be true that most male nurses were gay, it's not anymore. whether it is or not, it's none of the patient's business. a "wow, i can't believe you asked that!" worked for my ex-husband. my current husband -- and that ought to say something about the stereotype being inaccurate these days -- says something like what you suggested. or he'd just introduce me to his patient.

if the person asking is a relative or friend, tell them as much as you think they need to know. as far as the not smart enough to be a doctor one -- i started out in pre-med. i just tell people that the lifestyle of a physician wasn't for me.

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Specializes in Army Medic.

When my great grandfather was dying he commented on how he loved having male nurses around - they felt so much stronger to him. He was always afraid "those little old girls are going to drop me!"

One of the reasons I got into nursing - I guess that's a positive stereotype?

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