What are your views on male nurses

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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.

Specializes in critical care.

Never mind?

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Specializes in Psych, IV antibiotic therapy med-surg/addictions.
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.

*sigh* This is the problem, men constantly get dragged in to do heavy lifting. Start working out ladies!

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*sigh* This is the problem, men constantly get dragged in to do heavy lifting. Start working out ladies!

If female nurses are counting on their male counterparts to do the heavy lifting, what do they plan to do on shifts when no male nurse is scheduled? Isn't it unfair to expect male nurses to automatically show up whenever heavy lifting is required? Our team works together to move the heavier folks, regardless of staff gender. Men bring a lot more to nursing than just their muscles!

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If female nurses are counting on their male counterparts to do the heavy lifting, what do they plan to do on shifts when no male nurse is scheduled? Isn't it unfair to expect male nurses to automatically show up whenever heavy lifting is required? Our team works together to move the heavier folks, regardless of staff gender. Men bring a lot more to nursing than just their muscles!

Methinks roser13 was being sarcastic.

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

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

I've only gotten to this post and already some wise words. I think in general people should accept they are part of their career and not separate it based on sex. If I was a stewardess (:wideyed: I know politically incorrect) as a man I would expect to still be called one...or steward whatever. I am a man and a nurse. It's not like male nurse and female nurse need to be separated...except maybe in Farawyn's case.

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When I was a student 40years ago (OMG, did I really type that?).... In the '70s, there was so much Affirmative Action within the government and space industry. I didn't think guys would ever get a fair shake at a engineering or research job. I could not go in the initial direction for other reasons and because of a sick mother, so I stayed home and commuted to the local university. There, I saw nursing and the guys in nursing as "reverse" affirmative action, that could work in my favor. I only thought of being a nurse for 6-8 (no more than 10) years. Then I would retool to my original plan. I never wanted to be a doctor (yes, people have asked too many times). The friends I knew whose parents were MDs, were wild kids, who never saw their parents, except for two weeks to Hawaii or Europe. WELL, 36years later... I'm still Paul,the nurse. You get to do more with your hands and your heart than almost anybody in the world. You nurse, treat, clean, teach, listen, laugh, heal wounds, "minister/nurture," and sometimes the important times are just to sit and hold a hand. I call those the "cheap thrills!" It only took a couple of moments.

My job may have been to help restart hearts, lead a Code, work hard to prevent a Code, and sometimes pronounce a patient at 0530. But, the night when the little lady was too scared to close her eyes for fear she wouldn't wake in the morning.... The night when you realize the man is "the man" who walked thru history with the famous, but this night... he wants to tell you a story about Elvis. You are humbled in the presence of others. You are the nurse. They all love and appreciate you for being there for them. (p.s. if you let them call you the "male nurse," it means they will usually take advantage of you.... but that's another time.)

Let me end with this:

...you will end a shift or leave a housecall, and think; wait, I got more out of that than I gave.

...you will be walking down mall with your family, when you're blocked by persons you can't recall the faces or names... embracing you and introducing you to the husband who was then on a vent. or was in the ER post MVA or GSW. They will remember you. "This is my granddaughter, I wanted you to meet."

Mean-while, your little son is asking my wife, "why does daddy always hugging on people?" (I heard her say twice, "come-on, he'll catch up with us.') And you wonder why you became a nurse.

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Specializes in ICU, Postpartum, Onc, PACU.

You're always going to get the ribbing from other people about failing out of med school or being in a woman's job field, but everybody always thinks we are actually the sexy nurses like the costumes you see around Halloween so it evens out a bit:sarcastic:

That being said, I love most of the male nurses I've ever been fortunate enough to work with. Girls get petty, catty, and gossipy too fast and guys, for the most part, are chill. They don't tend to hold grudges, they play well with others, and don't tend to get caught up in the gossip and nastiness at work. That makes for a MUCH more comfortable work atmosphere and (for me) that's 80% of the job. They're also handy in the lifting department, but that's honestly the last thing I think about when I think of male nurses because girls can be pretty strong too.

Good luck and shake it off!:inlove:

xo

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You're always going to get the ribbing from other people about failing out of med school or being in a woman's job field, but everybody always thinks we are actually the sexy nurses like the costumes you see around Halloween so it evens out a bit:sarcastic:

That being said, I love most of the male nurses I've ever been fortunate enough to work with. Girls get petty, catty, and gossipy too fast and guys, for the most part, are chill. They don't tend to hold grudges, they play well with others, and don't tend to get caught up in the gossip and nastiness at work. That makes for a MUCH more comfortable work atmosphere and (for me) that's 80% of the job. They're also handy in the lifting department, but that's honestly the last thing I think about when I think of male nurses because girls can be pretty strong too.

Good luck and shake it off!:inlove:

xo

Have you ever worked with mostly men? They can be just as gossipy, jealous and petty. Been there, done that.

I have no problem with male nurses. There are people I like, and people I don't, male and female. Work ethic and competence, as well as being "chill" knows no sex.

What I do have a problem with is female nurses generalizing about other female nurses and lumping everyone into one misogynistic catty basket.

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Specializes in ICU, Postpartum, Onc, PACU.
Have you ever worked with mostly men? They can be just as gossipy, jealous and petty. Been there, done that.

I have no problem with male nurses. There are people I like, and people I don't, male and female. Work ethic and competence, as well as being "chill" knows no sex.

What I do have a problem with is female nurses generalizing about other female nurses and lumping everyone into one misogynistic catty basket.

Why yes I have:yes: Maybe I've just been lucky, but that's been my experience everywhere and I've worked in only 8 hospitals in my 9 years (6 of those years was at one hospital, but on multiple floors). It's just what I've noticed and I'll take a dude any day over about half of the women I've had to work with. It's just too tiring...lol

xo

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Not all women are catty but men are less so IME. I prefer working with men.

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Well, to be honest, male nurses just creep me out. I have worked with plenty of male nurses and CNAs, but I would rather not if I do not have to. Luckily, everywhere I have worked male nurses are the exception rather than the norm. For expository simplicity; then, I just do not like working with male nurses at all, but that does not affect the world atmosphere. Just a personal preference.

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Well, to be honest, male nurses just creep me out. I have worked with plenty of male nurses and CNAs, but I would rather not if I do not have to. Luckily, everywhere I have worked male nurses are the exception rather than the norm. For expository simplicity; then, I just do not like working with male nurses at all, but that does not affect the world atmosphere. Just a personal preference.

Geez.

Why do they creep you out?

What about males in general?

I'm stepping back from this before the tomatoes start flying.

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