When will they change the name???

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When will there be another term for males besides "nurse"? It's the only reason I haven't become one...:uhoh3:

(By the way, I am a SURGICAL TECH & ER TECH (Reaalllyyy macho, huh??)

But serious, if any job needed a generic term, this is the one...

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What's wrong with 'nurse?' Have you looked into becoming a philatelist? That has a cool ring to it.

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when will there be another term for males besides "nurse"? it's the only reason i haven't become one...:uhoh3:

good point i have often wondered the same thing. as a stewardess i was not called that, it is politically incorrect my title was flight attendant. all the restaurants i go to don't refer to themselves as waiters or waitresses usually but rather the politically correct title of server. my mail is delivered by a mailhandler...hum what title do you think would be appropriate? :idea:

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Specializes in Critical Care.
When will there be another term for males besides "nurse"? It's the only reason I haven't become one...:uhoh3:

If that's the only reason you have for not being a nurse, well, my friend, good luck with whatever career you choose.

But your question is discussed in depth in the following thread. On topic picks up about page 4:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f213/male-nurse-female-police-officer-female-dr-156750.html?highlight=male

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in L & D nurse!.

Female Doctor

Male Doctor

Female Nurse

Male Nurse

Come on.

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I don't think the name "nurse" is feminine, anymore than "teacher" is, even though the majority of both are female.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I don't think the name "nurse" is feminine, anymore than "teacher" is, even though the majority of both are female.

I can see the point that 'nurse' has a gender connotation along the lines of 'breastfeeding'.

But, I'm just not that sympathetic to the uneasiness over it. If THAT is why you don't want to go into nursing, then you will not like the other 'gender connotations' of working in a female dominated field, either. Better that you understand this now, with the term 'nurse', BEFORE you enter the field.

Get over it, or get on to something else. Of all the things I'd change about nursing, this doesn't even make my list.

~faith,

Timothy, Male NURSE.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I work in the OR and have for almost 30 years and I have NO problem introducing myself as your "nurse" for your procedure. What's wrong with that? Like one poster said if you have a problem with this then maybe "nursing" isn't for you. I have seen so many posts on this subject it makes me think about the lack of confidence and whatever in these individuals. I personally would rather these guys go into something else and leave "nursing" to the ones who could give a ratsa** about what they call themselves. Nursing is nursing no matter how you look at it and giving certain genders a different name for it doesn't change the fact that YOU ARE A NURSE!!!! so call yourself one and get over it!

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When will there be another term for males besides "nurse"? It's the only reason I haven't become one...:uhoh3:

(By the way, I am a SURGICAL TECH & ER TECH (Reaalllyyy macho, huh??)

But serious, if any job needed a generic term, this is the one...

Yes, this is a BIG problem with attracting males into the profession.

The female dominion of nursing, "The Nightingale Syndrome", is

actually only 150 years old. But that has been enough time for the

label "nurse" to have acquired a "female" connotation in the minds

of the general public. There does not seem to be a way to change

this to a genderless term. Female nurses are very comfortable with

the description and have every right to maintain it.

The best suggestion I have heard is to change "male nurses"

to another name and leave the female practioners as "nurses".

800 years before females started to dominate the field, the term for

males performing nursing-type medical services was "HOSPITALLERS" .

In some Crusading military orders they actually traded chainmail for

boiled linens as they shifted duties from road patrols and ramparts to

hospital wards. The name has a strong masculine history. It implies,

"Are you man enough to do this job?", which is exactly what is needed

to bring more men into medical nursing, instead of just paramedic fields.

"I'd like a nurse," could someday mean, "I want a female caregiver."

"I'd like a hospitaller," could someday mean, "I want a male caregiver."

Seems simple enough. Just set a date for the switch... and change

a problem as quickly as resetting a clock in time.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Seems simple enough. Just set a date for the switch... and change a problem as quickly as resetting a clock in time.

You think it would be that simple? I would have to disagree. I'm no danged 'hospitaller' or whatever.

I'm a REGISTERED NURSE. I've worked very hard for that. I won't let you - or anybody else - take it away.

I said this before, if that bothers you, find another job. Because, if THAT gets under your skin, you simply aren't prepared for all the other things that come. I'm very comfortable with my masculinity. I don't need some random title change to buck me up.

And, I don't really give a dang if that presents an image problem. Men ALREADY leave the profession twice as often as women. I don't feel there need be any further justification to not understand what is coming, all nicely wrapped up in misconceptions hidden in politically correct euphemisms. I think 'nurse' serves just fine as a portend of preparation necessary for a male to enter this field.

NO. RN is just fine.

Try to change it, and you will have a rebellion on your hands. Especially since this demand to change the name typically comes from students or non-nurses. Those of us in the trenches long ago learned to deal. If you want to become a nurse, or be a nurse, perhaps you should, too.

Sorry to be blunt. No offense intended. This is semantical window-dressing and nothing more. If somebody doesn't want to be a nurse solely because of its name, then I don't want them to be a nurse because of everything else that implies about that person's readiness to BE a nurse.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Well said, Timothy!

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IMHO, any gender specificity in the title "Registered Nurse" or just plain "nurse" is in the eye of the beholder, and I agree with the other posters who have commented that, if someone is so insecure that the professional title is (all that is) keeping him from going into nursing, that person probably won't be happy in nursing anyway.

If the day ever comes that they do change the title, or create a separate term for our nursing colleagues of the male persuasion :), you can have it -- that's the day I'll turn in my license and find another line of work ... :rolleyes:

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