Why do Male Nurses Complain about Scrub Color & other Inconsequential Issues?

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I have noticed some male nurses complain about the color of scrubs, candleholding, the term 'nurse' when applied to men & so on. Why are these important? The people they are caring for have cancer, heart dz, renal dz, special needs children,-the color of scrubs should be of no consequence. Some even called it 'discrimination', what a stretch! If someone is uncomfortable on how the color of scrubs or the term nurse will affect their sexual identity maybe they should be wrestlers. And then they complain some women are uncomfortable with a male L&D nurse! Do women police officers want to be called wolice & bemoan they can't wear dresses on the job? No.

Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I recall one poster once discussing a workplace where nurses wore lavender, but his employer, as I recall, was willing to accommodate him wearing a more "masculine" color. I don't have a problem with, say, women in lavender and men in eggplant, although I do appreciate my facility chosing colors (royal blue and/or white for men and women)that are readily available from many suppliers.

Most of the nurses where I work prefer to wear royal, but some, including at least one guy, stick with white. He doesn't look a bit sissified. In fact, he looks very professional. I sometimes wear white pants with a blue top--not so much because I'm proud of my boxers as because I'm due to do laundry and haven't gotten around to hemming my newer blue pants. (Bachelor life is not for the weak.)

My instructors in school seemed to be pleased with the number of males enrolled. I don't think we were singled out for special favors, but I don't think we were abused, either. Our pinning was very reasonable (and more moving than I expected). Women got a single rose, men got a rose bouttineire (I have no clue how to spell that!), and our instructors pinned us. Happily not like a Navy SEALS pinning...

Awhile back, my manager asked us to all wear all white one night, as a tribute to a couple of our co-workers who had started back in the 70's, when all white was the dress code. One of the women wore her cap from graduation, and as the night grew progressively sillier, she had me wear it out on a smoke break. I must say, anyone who can work a shift as a nurse in one of those things is a better woman than I'll ever be.

Edit to add: Er, that isn't exactly what I meant by redefining masculinity...

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I prefer to believe we are redefining masculinity. And, really, if we are willing to undertake that challenge, I don't think gender neutral uniforms are an unreasonable request. Facilities and nursing schools that are unwilling to make minor accomodations to men in nursing are showing blatant disrespect. If my employer decided to require nurses to wear pink scrubs, I'd work somewhere else, not because I object so strongly to pink, but because I would assume they would be no less cavalier about my more serious concerns, as well.

There are challenges in nursing that are just an inherent part of nursing. There are challenges for male nurses that are just as inherent. There are challenges for nurses in general and males in particular that aren't really inherent, but are not going to be easily resolved. I think we need to be prepared to accept what cannot be changed and work toward changing what can.

I don't sweat it when an inservice opens with, "Good morning, ladies--oh, and gentleman." I chuckle along with everyone else. But there are some "inconsequential" concerns that could be resolved with a bare minimum of disruption, and I believe they ought to be.

To accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Sometimes all I can change is myself.

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I guess I missed the whole scene about male nurses c/o what color they had to wear, most just wore white, navy, royal, or tan. The ones I worked with c/o more of itching, pants shrinking, back aches, and needing their break. Yes, I mostly loved those fellows and their wives. It was a real treat to work with some of them. I miss one guy who was killed a few years ago, he was always there when help was needed. We worked so many nights together we should have applied for some sort of special license. LOL!! Keep smiling fellows.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Men would be just as justified to complain about effeminate colored uniforms as a woman would be if she was told to wear a white dress, stockings, shoes, and a starched white hat.

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Just showing my support for keeping America safe from vampires.

Dear Nursemike, you should eat garlic. I can honestly say that sincew I have een eating garlic, I have not been attacked by a vampire.

it's true so eat on and relax.:icon_roll

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Our pinning was very reasonable (and more moving than I expected). Women got a single rose, men got a rose bouttineire (I have no clue how to spell that!), and our instructors pinned us. Happily not like a Navy SEALS pinning...

Yeah, I don't think the nursing world is quite ready for "blood wings"

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Yeah, I don't think the nursing world is quite ready for "blood wings"

Altered Skin integrity...Risk for Infection...not to mention, Acute Pain.

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The school I go to has been quite good about designing clinical uniforms that most students (male or female) would feel comfortable wearing. The only thing I've taken issue with (and it's a minor one at that) is that my school gave us large, purse-like tote bags to carry our lab equipment in. I can't rationally explain my reaction to this, but their's just something in me that makes me uncomfortable carrying a purse-like tote bag around. It's not like carrying a tote bag makes me question my sexuality- it just makes me feel innately uncomfortable. Couldn't they have picked something more gender-neutral- such as a satchel- like all the other professional schools here have? Whoever made this decision obviously didn't have men's preferences in mind. Thank God our clinical uniforms are gender-neutral for the most part.

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Specializes in ICU.

Well, our floor just switched to Aqua Blue scrubs...and I refuse to wear them. It looks like something the Easter Bunny pooped out. I still wear my white scrubs. I just don't look so good in aqua blue. :)

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Well, our floor just switched to Aqua Blue scrubs...and I refuse to wear them. It looks like something the Easter Bunny pooped out. I still wear my white scrubs. I just don't look so good in aqua blue. :)

What, they don't match ur eyes? lol:D

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Specializes in ICU.
What, they don't match ur eyes? lol:D

haha...you are correct they really don't. I have dark blue eyes....:cool:

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Are you serious AmaurosisFugax (i hope everything cleared up by the way)? You have a PhD and don't understand this? Perception is key to being repsected. Some men and women do not respect people that have weird hair and clothes. That why we have standards in almost every hospital about our appearence. Many male nurses complain about the color of scrubs because they rules are written by women for women without considering the consequence on men.

I work in kentucky (from Cleveland

Sounds a bit like you were venting. Did something happen at work that set you off?

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