What's it like working as a male nurse?

[Gottago]

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?

[november17, ASN, RN]

At times the other nurses start bad mouthing their spouses, and making generalizations about men while I am at the desk charting, .

One time I mentioned to one of my coworkers that I watched my kids when my wife was at work. She said, "She lets you to watch the kids??" Like it was just amazing that a guy would actually watch his kids. I knew that the majority of my coworkers' husbands never watched their kids (and from what I heard they generally thought of their husbands as clods they didn't trust to watch their kids), but I didn't realize that I had been lumped into that category until she made that comment. I just looked at her and said, "uhh... I'm an RN, I think I can handle my kids.." And she made this face and said, "oh...haha...that was a dumb thing to say."

Usually when they start talking about about TMI type of stuff I just stare, put a tortured expression on my face, and make exaggeratedly wide eyes ...they get the message...

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

Seems also that most men tend to gravitate towards the ED or ICU. Although I do work with many women, there are nights that the men are the majority.

As far as cattyness, it's at a minimum.

[gryphonler]

I would like to add my 1cents worth, as most things have been shared by the others. lol.

Honestly speaking, working anywhere or everywhere will almost be in a similar situation. If a boss that is looking after that department is a good boss, the people around that person will have a good environment to work in. If you have a crappy boss(as in the manager of the department), then you know what's like to have crappy colleagues around. It's a universal thing. I've been to many different companies to work, and I've seen it all.

So that goes to my main point. It all really depends yourself too. Only you have the answers. If you give out all the good vibes, people around you can change too. I've seen that so many times. My basic rule is "Do unto others what you want others to do to you."

Hope this gives you some insight mate. Remember, you don't have to answer to everyone else but yourself. ;P

Cheers.

[Cammer]

Seems also that most men tend to gravitate towards the ED or ICU. Although I do work with many women, there are nights that the men are the majority.

As far as cattyness, it's at a minimum.

It doesn't happen often, but there have been some shifts that I have worked where the only female in the department was the manager.

And the cattyness? It is normally confined to just a few specific individuals who do it just because it makes them feel better, I guess. Once you have them figured out it's not hard to avoid the situations.

[Propranolol]

i can say i've had a good experience on my unit. then again i'm the only guy and the youngest. but it does surprise me the way the women treat each other. i've noticed this type of behavior where a nurse will be really nice and the moment the person walks away she is calling her the C word to someone else. i just stood there and had a *** moment. a lot of the women on my unit are frienemies. nice to each other then talk crap on others. i noticed this behavior also when i float to other units. i just keep my mouth shut. i'm not naive, i know they probably talk about me. but as long as it doesn't affect my career or my patient care, i don't care.

some of my patients like that they have a guy. sometimes i will get report that a patient is being disrespectful or acting weird. the moment i walk into the room, it seems they switch. i don't tolerate it and they see it on my face. overall, i work with great people. theres always that one person though. its everywhere. its funny. cause if i float to another unit and theres another guy working also, its almost instant understanding of everything and what we go through. good luck with everything!

[Old_Duffer]

I find it much easier.

[Midwest87]

I'm a male CNA. I work with many young female CNA's that are slightly immature.

I'm not assisted with things I need assistance with, I often get stuck doing the heavy lifting, I deal more so with estrogen fits than I do with the residents, I've been told (by a DON) that I am less likely to be able to provide care because I am a Male, I am the excuse for why something didn't get done. I don't gossip, so am on the other end of the gossiping. I get paid less and work more. (My incentive disappears when I do mandatory OT) Residents families won't like you as much as they would if you were female. I haven't had a day off in two and a half weeks because other aides are allowed to call in if they have problems with their children. I got injured (sprained my neck) and was then embarrassed about it for several days.

I pretty much hate my life.

[RNTwin]

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

to much estrogen in the units. but seriously been doin this for over 8 yrs and guys GET more respect than females, but usually b/c female RNs(that i work with) say retarded things to MDs, given them more ammunition to disrespect them.

[heelhook80]

I am a CNA on a cardiac floor and starting a RN program this year. I have been treated with respect by patients and co-workers alike, I learn everyday from other RN's and I am emotionally touched by patients each day as well. Some RN's are drama and I avoid them. Of course, I think I will prefer being an RN over a CNA and feeling like lowest man on the totem pole but I believe its worth it. It is a lot of stress (particularly starting out) but also a lot of fun, overall I'm honored to have my job and enjoying it.

[jomyanto]

For male nurses I think the better options would be Emergency or OT. On floors it looks odd for guys. But I love working as an occupational health nurse.. nd I realy dislike working with female nurses bz most of them expect us to act like female.

[premedwoahs]

Do they start new grads out in the ER? Maybe someone can list the places where new grads have the opportunity to go...other than med/surg...

[belgarion]

I work on a med-surg floor and I really don't have any problems with my female colleagues except for them occasionally expecting me to serve as a human forklift.

Yes, the drama level can get really high but as long as they don't try to drag me into it for the "male perspective" I can usually ignore it.