What are your views on male nurses

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 1, 2016

The more males that enter nursing, the merrier. Generally speaking, professions that have a greater share of men are usually paid more, and we could all use some more money. :)

Farawyn · May 1, 2016

Is this a new thread?

OP, I am a female nurse and I do get asked quite a bit why I went into nursing, too.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · May 1, 2016

I think the men in nursing is helping to shape our profession for the better. We welcome you.

Why did you become a nurse? Rewarding, exciting, solid career, opportunities for growth, the diversity, great people...ahem women....any other reasons you can think of?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 1, 2016

I think they are common and boring. Show me a dolphin who's a nurse and then I might get excited.

James W. · May 1, 2016

I think they are common and boring. Show me a dolphin who's a nurse and then I might get excited.

Huh? So who is "common & boring" then?

Are you a - would be marine biologist - who didn't make the cut?

I've had people assume that I failed medical school, so 'made do' with nursing.. l.o.l...

Actually, I was working in the local city town-planning dept, when a friend dropped out

of university - due to financial reasons - & we were checking out the employment ads..

The major city psych hospital was seeking students, & offering pretty good pay & conditions..

(Among our group of teenage friends, the psych hospital was a standing joke..

..along the lines of.. "You'll end up up there!").

My buddy said "I'll apply if you do.."

& my boss was good enough to offer me 3 months leave to try it out..

So..I am still a clinical nurse, 3 doz years later..

roser13, ASN, RN · May 1, 2016

I like 'em. I don't know how I'd lift my 400 lb patients without my male nurses. They're just handy to have around.

Dany102 · May 1, 2016

So I'm only recently new to nursing, but as a male nurse I do get asked quite a bit why I went into nursing.

Hello Jared,

I think male nurses are awesome. You are going a little against the grain here and you might get some flak from time to time but don't let that discourage you. I'm sure you're going to enhance any unit or facility you will work at.

Many of your patients (if you are doing direct patient care) will be grateful to see you walk in.

Dany

Libby1987 · May 1, 2016

Our popular HS Receiver (small town) who's headed to play college ball plans to go to nursing school, it was announced on Football Senior Night, no one batted an eye. Most probably thought it was a great career choice.

Farawyn · May 1, 2016

Our popular HS Receiver (small town) who's headed to play college ball plans to go to nursing school, it was announced on Football Senior Night, no one batted an eye. Most probably thought it was a great career choice.

Because it is. And it's common. I have 2 boys in my HS this year going into nursing. And 2 girls.

Men need to get over themselves as "male nurses".

Just be a nurse, do your job, and do it well.

niccikatie · May 1, 2016

Men need to get over themselves as "male nurses".
Just be a nurse, do your job, and do it well.

I don't think its the men who are making a big deal about it. We're a dual nurse household - my husband decided to go back to nursing school as a second career path after I became a nurse. It was for many reasons. He is CONSTANTLY asked why he didn't become a doctor, why a man would want to do a "woman's job", etc. Or, he just gets called "doctor". He's not doing any of that.

So, obviously, I like male nurses. I think that every unit should have some male nurses. It's probably an unpopular opinion but all female units tend to have a very different vibe than units that have a decent mix.

Farawyn · May 1, 2016

I don't think its the men who are making a big deal about it. We're a dual nurse household - my husband decided to go back to nursing school as a second career path after I became a nurse. It was for many reasons. He is CONSTANTLY asked why he didn't become a doctor, why a man would want to do a "woman's job", etc. Or, he just gets called "doctor". He's not doing any of that.
So, obviously, I like male nurses. I think that every unit should have some male nurses. It's probably an unpopular opinion but all female units tend to have a very different vibe than units that have a decent mix.

No. I agree completely and I like a mix, too. I've always worked with men.

I'm probably projecting my own frustration with the recent overrun of "I'm a male nurse!" threads, and in particular a recent thread saying men should receive grants and affirmative action for going in to nursing.

I will step out, because I do love me some male co-workers and I don't want to disrespect them.