What's it like working as a male nurse?

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I have to know what it's like working as a male nurse? I'm not trying to sound sexist, but I want to know what it's like for a guy to work in an environment dominated by women? What I'm trying to get at is; I've worked in mostly female environments before and sometimes they got on my nerves. I've read how other posters (female posters) have noted that some women can be "catty". I guess that's what I'm getting at. "Catty" attitudes, nags, etc. can get be very bothersome to me. I have liked working with mainly guys. For example, if a guy comes in with a bad attitude, starts smartin' off at his peers; it was easy for another guy to look at him and say something like...shut your mouth, or I'll shut it for you. Now I'm not advocating violence, but the point I'm trying to make is that after such a statement was said, a few unpleasantries & defamations exchanged, usually the guys would put it under the rug and go on with life.

I know some women read this forum, but I posted it on the male forum so as to get a male's response & not to offend any females. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone. I'm not a gun-ho, macho toting bravdo kinda guy. I'm just a regular guy who likes to do his job, talk professionally about work, focus on the job, do what needs to be done, and come back & do it again.

So, I repeat; what's it like working as a male nurse?

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

What's it like being a guy in nursing......hummmmm, hard to say, I guess I don't think about it too much anymore.

When I started, back in the 70' :eek: you fell into a couple catigories.

You were A) gay, B) too dumb to be a doc C) on the waiting list to be a doc, D) a military medic that couldn't fit in anywhere else, or E) REALLY wanting to be a nurse.

The funny thing is, yes, men and women do seem to interact different. I have seen female nurses be mad at each other and carry things on to lengths a guy would never have. Not to say that guys don't "submarine" each other, but I'm not so sure it's more than women. I also think, like it or not, good or bad, people treat male nurses different. The doctor/nurse relationship is often different, and pt's react differently, good or bad, to a male nurse.

I think the moral of the story here is,,,,you make the situation. I've seen and read on this website, whining, wimpering, "poor poor me, it's not me, it's them, they hate me" male nurses. I think that's wrong!!! Yes, there are those out there that don't like male nurses, and make life miserable for the poor schnook!!! YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE THESE PEOPLE!! DEAL!! However, I FEEL that the majority of the time, it's your attitude and what you say and do that causes the situation you're in!! I could be wrong, heck I'm used to that, but that's my :twocents:

As far as dealing with it....you'll learn, if you keep an open mind. I have spent years listening to stories about labor pains, periods, cramps, PMS, tampons, so forth and so on. So what, there's little I can add or subtract to the conversation, so I just mostly listen, and add a male point of view, when it's safe to. I also many times "defending the male population" trying to point out to females why guys do some things and why (if I know).

In the long run, like a lot of other things in life, nursing, is diverse, and it's that diversity that makes it interesting, stronger, and better, if you let it.

I love nursing, glad to be here!!!!! Mike

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As far as dealing with it....you'll learn, if you keep an open mind. I have spent years listening to stories about labor pains, periods, cramps, PMS, tampons, so forth and so on. So what, there's little I can add or subtract to the conversation, so I just mostly listen, and add a male point of view, when it's safe to. I also many times "defending the male population" trying to point out to females why guys do some things and why (if I know).

In the long run, like a lot of other things in life, nursing, is diverse, and it's that diversity that makes it interesting, stronger, and better, if you let it.

I love nursing, glad to be here!!!!! Mike

Well, Mike

It's one of the best threats, I've read here ever! I think you should consider to write a book someday about all this PMS, tampons, periouds and specially about defending male point of view!

Andrew

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Mike about said it all. Being a guy in nursing has been a great experience. You have to have thick skin and not let it upset you if someone requests "one of the girls", that happens and it is nothing personal. At times the other nurses start bad mouthing their spouses, and making generalizations about men while I am at the desk charting, and I will just clear my throat and continue charting and they usually get the point. But all in all it is great, and I can't think of another job that I would rather do.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I'm just a regular guy who likes to do his job, talk professionally about work, focus on the job, do what needs to be done, and come back & do it again.

Most nurses fit this discription male and female.

I worked in a male-dominated field and they were cutthroat catty to the max. Nursing is much more laid back.

There are some negative toxic environments in nursing for sure. There's always a great debate is it because it's nursing, management or the fact it's a female dominated professional.

I don't for a minute think nurses are catty. Yes, there are catty nurses, but as a profession and a gender females are not catty. There are those, females included, that disagree with me on that.

Just be who you are as you describe and don't let people have the power over your nerves.

Frankly, I like the fact nurses aren't so brazen to tell another person to shut up or they'll shut it for you. That approach doesn't fly with me.

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well I have been a nurse for 3 months now.. & I am hating it. I hated my orientation with those ******* who thinks they know everything. I am a LPN & was thinking of becoming RN someday soon.Now I am questioning myself whether I did make a right decision to be a nurse. After graduation I had a hard time to find a job. I never wanted to work for nursing home. I enjoyed ER & OR when I did my school clinical. Now I have no choice but to work for the nursing homes.Hospital are not hiring LPNs in Florida.I get so depressed to see these old people in nursing home. I thought I will be saving peopels life who wants to live.. not the one who are suppose to be going Gods place. I would really appreciate if somebody could suggest anything for me. Is there any other place beside Nursing Homes where I dont have to be depress. I use to work for airlines reservation & I really enjoyed. Is there any chance for me to find some kind of nursing jobs in airlines?

Bishal (Confused)

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To the person who posted above. Go look around any hospital - it is mostly comprised of old people - DEAL WITH IT or go to pediatrics. Sorry to say, most people go to a hospital to die. When I was shadowing a Dr. in undergraduate, this was explained to me, and if i couldn't handle, get out. Also, you are an LPN. You are not trained to understand the "why's" of medicine, but mostly just how to "do" things. I should know, I started a one. Hopefully if you decide to stick with it, you will find some joy in becoming an RN.

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Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

That's right, cause we LPN's only know how to do things, just not why I guess?

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Specializes in Psychiatry (PMHNP), Family (FNP).

I agree with just about everything Mike said above. I love this field. Been in it a long time, almost as long as Mike. There are so many options starting out, and so many directions to go in later in your career trajectory. Not many fields feature that. I was one of those males Mike mentioned as "on the waiting list to be a doc" and then after nursing school just said "nope" and went in another direction! It's a great field for a guy (or gal!) For disgruntled Bishal who posted above: "I hear you!" I did some time early on working in LTC, it was really not for me. Don't give up. It might be difficult now to find something else, but keep trying. There are lost of options, especially as an RN - not so much as an LPN in some locales. If you find the right niche, you may feel completely differently. I hope you can think creatively and re-invent yourself. Best of luck!

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I agree with the comments before mind. Hang in there, I'm a new RN and I want to work in ER, OR, or ICU but now I'm in Dialysis for now. However you have one advantage over many people who are applying for RN school is that your a LPN. Meaning you can get into RN school much easier, and once you completed it, than you can go onto ER, OR and etc.

At my job, I think being a male nurse is saving me from all the DRAMA. There is not only the catty nurses. But they also have the different ethnic groups(nurses) at each other throats , and the Patient Care Tech who works in Dialysis who don't like any new nurse. Also the Day shift and Evening shift are always argue with each other. I was told by a female nurse, because I'm a male nurse nobody is showing you all the attidutes.

I'm getting along with every group at my job.

I agree with just about everything Mike said above. I love this field. Been in it a long time, almost as long as Mike. There are so many options starting out, and so many directions to go in later in your career trajectory. Not many fields feature that. I was one of those males Mike mentioned as "on the waiting list to be a doc" and then after nursing school just said "nope" and went in another direction! It's a great field for a guy (or gal!) For disgruntled Bishal who posted above: "I hear you!" I did some time early on working in LTC, it was really not for me. Don't give up. It might be difficult now to find something else, but keep trying. There are lost of options, especially as an RN - not so much as an LPN in some locales. If you find the right niche, you may feel completely differently. I hope you can think creatively and re-invent yourself. Best of luck!
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Thank you smitty08 & Bigboy75. I really appreciate your encouraging words. I was just a little overwhelmed working in the LTC. I am going to school soon for my RN. I would love to work for the OR. I am not asking the whys's of medicine but I was not sure about working in the LTC. Thanks again... Bishal

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Being a male nurse for me has been an interesting adventure. All the benefits of a good job, with the advantage of being called a profession. Many do not like their job, but if nursing is your niche, go through RN school and you won't regret it!

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