worried about choosing nursing as a career...

Cindy_A · Nov 1, 2008

Unfortunately, you probably will have to deal with these issues, but hopefully not that often. If nursing is what you want to do - go for it!

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2008

I have had many black men as LPN students they did well. I don't think you will have an issue. Good Luck, it is a hard course.

*ac* · Nov 1, 2008

In a word, no.

The male nurses I went to school with (and yes, some were black and gay) and have worked with have been the most popular and successful.

Only one weird thing ever happened: In OB clinical, the instructor would go in and ask the laboring mom if it was OK if they had a MALE nursing student. This is a huge double standard, as you would never go in an ask if she would mind having a MALE medical student. That student felt he got very little out of that clinical, but didn't want to do OB anyway, so whatever.

I work in Peds, and we have a few male nurses. Everyone loves them, other female nurses, the kids, and the families.

Really, don't think twice about it.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Every nurse eventually has to deal with someone who doesn't want their care, regardless of the cause. It doesn't tend to happen often, you just have to roll with the punches when it does and try to not let it affect you.

I've been refused from patients b/c I was white, b/c I was female, b/c I had long hair, b/c I look young, b/c I looked like their evil sister-in-law. None of these things made any sense to me, but whatever, if you're going to make my shift more difficult b/c you have out-of-whack preconceived notions about me, I don't want to deal with you anyway.

Basically, yeah, there are going to be people from time to time to refuse to have you care for them, but only b/c it happens to everyone, not because you're black or gay or male. Just don't take it personally, for every one person who gives you a hard time you'll take care of hundreds who value your care.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 1, 2008

My friend in the program is a gay Latino and the patients love him, he is going to an AWESOME nurse!...of course racism and sexism exists and it can not be completely avoided; but don't let this discourage you from becoming a nurse, you would be presenting with the same troubles in any job...jerks are everywhere... and like others said, all nurses are rejected at some point, regardless to sex, color, or sexual orientation...

K98 · Nov 2, 2008

Hey people,
Im a 20 year old college student who just got accepted into the nursing program to become an LPN.
I am also a gay black male ( i know that shouldnt mean anything but im jus lettin it be known because of my concerns. )
Many people have suggested that i just go for it and become a nurse but im worried about a lot of things. I know this is a profession with mostly females, but i worry about patients who may not want my care because i am either a male, my skin color, or the fact that i am gay. Im a really nice person and id hate to get into nursing and have to deal with some ignorant people who dont want my care.
Should i be concerned about these issues or am i over reacting a lil too much?

If you want to get into nursing, do it. Don't let the attitudes of others hold you back. You will deal with ignorant people in nursing. Ignorant people get sick and injured too. Don't let them rain on your parade.

mikejsmithrn · Nov 3, 2008

Let me tell you a funny story. It was my first clinical experience and I was assigned to a nursing home. The resident found out that I was going to be her student nurse for the day. To which, her prompt and kurt reply was, "Only if he's gay!" Another resident overheard the conversation, laughed, handed me a pair of earrings and gave me pointers of how to act gay even if I wasn't.

The fact is that no matter the sexual orientation, gender or ethnicity, patients and co-workers will find reasons to question your ability to care for patients and to mock. It is a minority of the whole experience, though. Nursing is designed to be an open-minded, self-regulating profession. Patients need and deserve excellent nurses who serve with all they have. We are protectors, advocates. We detect the subtle (real and perceived, present and potential) changes in physical, spiritual, emotional, individual, community and global well-being. We fight the angel of death, and respect it when triumphant. We reverence life, living, loving and losing. We treat people. We are nurses. If you think you can partake of such a profession...then I say proceed. To what end will the balking get you and them? It will only stand in the way of a person willing to give of himself to better others around him.

I've heard some pretty sad :cry: stereotypes about being a man in nursing. One of them is that if you're a man and a nurse, you must be gay. I'm a straight male and so that's false. That being said, I work with two nurses who are both gay men. If we focus on these things, we lose sight of who we're really in nursing for...We lose sight of the patient. :nono: We're focusing on ourselves instead of the patient. A nurse's focus is on the patient. Thinking about our own biases and knowing ourself and our limitations is certainly part of practicing in nursing...but it is part and parcel...it is the patient who ultimately benefits from our willingness to serve. Willing? Serve.

I'm sorry that you are experiencing

josh1974, LPN · Nov 13, 2008

OK, I'm a white, straight guy just finishing my first semester of clinicals and most of my residents in the nursing home have been female, none of em seem to have a problem with me being male. One of my male residents said I'd make a good mother when I was making his bed! :) Like the previous post said, I'm sure you'll find discrimination as I'm sure I will, BUT as they also said if it's what ya want to do, then do it. There will hopefully be many more positive experiences than negative.

KungFuFtr · Nov 13, 2008

The only time I disliked in school was L&D. The nurses were catty and forgot where they came from (they were students once too). No biggie, I spent only a few hours in their world; they can keep the chip on their shoulders.

The patients never minded me being a guy. You'll get plenty of patients that think you're a Dr. though.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2008

It would probably be prudent to prepare yourself for some negative reactions, but in spite of all the rants that get posted here, for the most part, patients are appreciative of the care we give and have more important things to worry about than how we look. Where I live, you might catch more grief over being black than being male or gay, but I know several black nurses who are practicing successfully--both male and female. A few patients won't want a male nurse, but others are delighted, including some very proper elderly ladies who just seem to enjoy the attention. As far as orientation, a substantial minority will assume you're gay whether you are or not. But, again, most patients will give you a chance, and if you treat them well, they'll appreciate it.

At least you won't have as many creepy old guys trying to feel you up.

Babs0512 · Nov 16, 2008

The color of your skin and your sex is irrelevant, as is your sexual orientation. What matters is that you wish to become a nurse, and that you always treat your patient the way you would like you loved ones to be treated.

Unfortunately, there still is prejudice out there, remember, that is the person with prejudice's problem, NOT yours. I live in a relatively smallish, rural city in upstate NY. Up until 13 or so years ago, there were very few persons of color in the area. We had this black nurse, she was new with us, and I was precepting her. We went in to see one of our patients, an elderly woman, and she said, and I'm quoting her "I don't want no darkies taking care of me!" As calmly as could be (and trust me, it wasn't easy) I said "Well, that is your right Mrs. Jones, Carol is a great nurse and a great person, but we take care of all people here, even the prejudiced one's" I'll have our male nursing assistant help you with your evening care. "A male!" she replied, "why can't you do it?" I said, "I have to hang blood in two different rooms and it is very time consuming. = she then said "Okay, the darkie is okay" I said "her name is Carol, and she is a fine nurse." "okay, Carol" Mrs. Jones said.

Carol and Mrs. Jones became good friends that night - I knew they would. Mrs. Jones was reacting to her upbringing, not to reality.

God bless you, You'll do fine.