What do you think of this statement?

Mkue · Jan 8, 2003

I would definately like to see more males in nursing

Little One2 · Jan 8, 2003

It is not a fair statement to make. It makes it sound like women are very weak and don't stand up for themselves. Which, if you look at history, might look like this is true. Usually, the women would remain quiet, passive and do whatever is asked of them without questioning.

Nurses need to have a more powerful voice. A male voice may help strengthen the tone and encourage the public to listen.

DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

Im glad I waited to post on this thread. I saw it right after it was written and was hesitated to write a response. But now that I look at the majority of the responses I see that most feel the same way I do. Yes it is true. Sad but true.

I dont think it would take finding a strong man to speak for the Nursing as a complete. I feel that once we have had enough we will bind together and do it ourselves. There are men in nursing and yet we still have the same results. Its how we are looked upon as an industry. We must change the minds of Our Industry before anyone else in the world takes us seriously. Until we learn there are strengths in numbers we will continue to stumble around and take it.

Zoe

mageean · Jan 8, 2003

I agree, sad but probably True. I believe Nurses should be seen as nurses irrespective of gender. There are however some key leadership roles filled by females. eg in the UK Beverly Malone (American) is the leader of the largest professional body, The Royal College of Nursing. I personally would welcome more females in key political positions.

Glad2behere · Jan 8, 2003

Unfortunately, there will probably not be much change in nursing until the number of males increases substantially. Then what will happen is these guys will get pi**ed off and make some changes.

I speculate they will initially form a political forum, structure, identity, and agenda of their own with their own goals and aspirations and reach critical mass to effect change. Women vent, men get even. I think when men identify that a change is possible that will last you will see them assemble as a group of their own to forward nursing.

opalmRN · Jan 8, 2003

Is it too late to get another prof??

That's what I would do.

IF this statement was made by a male than it's gonna be tough to teach if he losses students due to his "politically incorrect" attitude. (not to mention a little bit of______envy goin on there)

IF the statement was made by a female, bring her here I think there are enough of us to give her a little "attitude adjustment!"

C

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

Having more men join the profession will increase our political power and working conditions. We should take advantage of this! Why make it an us against them situation at all? Instead, wouldn't it be wiser to just recruit men, women, anybody who truly has the desire to become a nurse. It is an added extra if it also happens to strengthen us a a whole.

The business world has realized that women make excellent managers. They connect well with their subordinates and bring a certain comrardary to the workplace . These are positive female influences that have proven to be effective in what used to be a male only arena. There are more women entering in a supervisory capacity every day.

I would rather see us use all of our resources to make the profession better no matter what gender, race whatever and leave the hostility behind.

fergus51 · Jan 8, 2003

I wish I knew how to make that barfy face on here....

Women saying men are needed to improve nursing is just passing the buck. It ignores the fact that women in nursing have made huge strides over the past 30 years.

And the real question is: If men are natural leaders and their opinions are given more political clout, then where are those great male nurse leaders? Where is the "male nurse" lobby in Washington? There have to be tens of thousands of male nurses in America, so why haven't they saved the profession yet? Answer: because when it comes down to it, they aren't all that different from the women they work with.

Glad2behere · Jan 8, 2003

Hasn't reached critical mass yet, fergus.

So I'll rephrase. If half the nurses were men, or even 30% were, I think the landscape would change...a lot. They are really not that interested in it yet as a political force. The numbers will have to edge up some first.

Besides that, you're just venting, that's all.

fergus51 · Jan 9, 2003

That's an excuse. If ten of thousands of male nurses aren't doing all that much, I don't think they will magically start when there are more of them. You said it best: They are really not that interested. I don't see why that would change with an increase in their numbers, any more that it has for female nurses.

Glad2behere · Jan 9, 2003

It may be an excuse or a reason, but that is what is going to have to happen. Your statements to me say a messiah of some type is needed, sure would be nice. At this point men have not yet grouped together because their are different avenues for them to pursue if they become disenchanted, and I also think that males' choices are greater than womens' in nursing so their frustration level is not as high. That is why they will individually exit sooner when dissatisfied because they do have more choices.

Why make waves when there is an easier alternative? It is easier for men to bail and do something else, and I really don't think they feel cornered in this profession like women do. When the numbers of men increases and the frustration level rises as high as is womens', there will be changes.

nursesrthebest · Jan 10, 2003

I'll might get flamed for this...but I think that it is true that the nursing profession would be taken more seriously if there were more men in the profession. Women are passive, passive-aggressive, jealous hearted, catty, etc...I think that this is so sad that women c/n stick together.