some younger male nurses.....

[junebride]

I can say I have nothing but love for the older male nurses (I mean over 30) that I work with. That said, the younger ones have got to be the most apathetic, jerky people I have ever had to deal with. They specifically work at night because they don't want to really deal with patients when they're actually awake. They specifically wear the light blue "MD-looking" scrubs so that they will be treated like doctors, and many times are--because they're men, and they've purposely dressed this way. The more mature men on my floor don't care what color scrubs they wear, and seem very helpful and kind and caring. Time and time again I witness a patient who is reluctant to ask anything "petty" of these guys (like fetching a glass of water or a snack, etc) but will think nothing of calling some random female nurse to come do it.

It' a disservice to any male nurse that really cares about his practice and isn't just "slumming it" because he couldn't get into med school. Nursing is not "slumming it" and if you have to pick a night shift to do your job because the thought of dealing with people when they're conscious is so irritating, rethink what you're doing and go into research.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I understand you've experienced some frustration with some younger male coworkers, but coming to the Male Nursing forum and venting about is asking to get flamed....

I am a "younger" male nurse, I work nights because I don't want to have to deal with the drama of dayshift, including management being around all the time. There's nothing unprofessional about that.

I wear the same light-blue scrubs that the physicians, med students, nurses, housekeeping, etc all swipe from the hospital because A: They're free, B: They're comfortable, and C: Unless you've shopped for male scrubs (NOT unisex) you wouldn't know how hard it is to find non-girly, normal-colored scrubs that are tall enough without hanging on you like a sack.

Whether or not a patient is reluctant to ask a male nurse for something is not the nurse's fault.

I get called "doctor" all the time. I smile and correct the patient/family. Again, not my fault that the public assumes things.

Please don't make the generalization that younger male nurses are less caring and easier to get along with than older men. It's just not true.

The age-old argument/insult of "why didn't you go to medical school" lives on.... Male nurses aren't slumming it, at least the ones I know. I chose NOT to go to medical school, not because I couldn't get in.

It sounds like you need to sit down and really get to know these younger guys you're working with, before making all these judgements about them. Maybe they're just giving the wrong impression.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I could say at least some of the same things about some of the younger female nurses I've seen, and to be honest, I have noticed as a general (but by no means invariable) rule that people become more mature as they age. But to generalize I would have to overlook the times I've been mightily impressed by the things some young women in their early twenties can handle. My eyes see a "girl" half my age, but I realize she's a strong, smart, independent, professional woman doing what needs to be done, and often doing it very well. I've also seen a few guys like that--and a couple a bit like the OP describes.

So, as is often the case, I agree with Steve. If the OP hasn't met any young men who are very good nurses, bear in mind that there just aren't a lot of us around, at any age. It's really hard to make valid generalizations when the sample size is so small.

One can always take some comfort in realizing this is a pretty tough field. Time will almost surely "weed out" those (of any age or gender) whose heart isn't in it.

ETA: And I think most of those who stick with it for any length of time will tend to grow into the role, because they'll have to.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

They specifically wear the light blue "MD-looking" scrubs so that they will be treated like doctors, and many times are--because they're men, and they've purposely dressed this way.

I didn't realize ceil blue was limited to doctors. In fact, in my current job that's the color I'm required to wear.

[mcknis]

One of our supervisors only wears ceil blue (resp therapist but supers whole house). I do wear ceil blue, but at my facility light green s the hosp choice of OR scrubs.

[PageRespiratory!]

........... the older male nurses (I mean over 30) .............

>

Ouch.

[nursebabygirl 08]

hi everyone!!! i'm female and i LOVE male RN's:D I worked 13 years as a CNA and the one thing that i loved about male nurses is thier ability to stay away from the frivilous-drama filled atmosphere that Most females generate in the work place(notice how i said most, not all). In my dealings with male nurses, if there is a problem they will tend to come to you and talk to you(not behind your back),and the tendancy to hold a grudge is not there. Of course my thinking could be clouded simply because i tend to get along better with men than i do with other women. I work at a GI office and whenever a position has became open i ask the director to consider hiring a male, but unfortunately the only males at my office are the mds. I have learned a lot from my male counter-parts and look forward to welcoming more male nurses to the field. Although i'm not a male i find it irritating to hear people make comments such as only men whom are gay go into nurses. That burns me up; as if to say men can't be compassionate, and caring.

To all you male nurses out there! I support you whether young or older,your all great!:loveya:

[nurseulove]

i am a young male nurse.. and i carry my own weight... even though everyone calls me a baby...

[ukstudent]

Making generalizations about any sector of society normally turns out bad. Including this one.

To the OP, you seem young. I checked your profile and understand that you have just started nursing school. You currently have no idea of the stress of being a new nurse. The stress of nursing school is a drop in the ocean compared to starting as a new grad. Males and females show stress in different ways, so give the young guys a break.

Nurses that do night shift do not hate patient care. You must think that pt's sleep all night, they don't.

[seanpdent, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

OUCH.. lil angry I see.

I do hope your opinion is open for change, since your post is not the norm.

[RN1980]

the very same can be said about younger (under 30) female nurses, who come to work all dolled-up for the sole reason of trying to hook-up with a doc.

[leslie :-D]

honey, let me talk to you like a momma for a second:

"knock off this immature nonsense. you just don't go around judging an entire group of people because of a few, misguided notions. nurses come in all shapes, sizes, ages, genders. now, git out there and worry about yourself."

*snort*

seriously, it takes all kinds.

relax.

everyone deserves a fair shake.

appreciate those who take their jobs seriously, and blow the rest away.

best of everything.

leslie