I'm new to allnurses, but I created an account just for the fact that there is a great community of nurses on here. I have 3 years of experience as a nurse and cannot imagine doing anything else as a career. I am a male and I am a nurse. I just wanted to reach out to those guys that are considering entering the field that may or may not have some hesitation due to the fact that it is a female dominated field.
I never thought once while I was in high school that I'd become a nurse. If you want to consider the "masculinity" or whatever of me, I can tell you I was a multiple sport athlete with state letters in basketball and football. I worked in a rural community as a farmhand. My father and brother are both construction workers. I had many reasons to choose a "man's" profession. When the suggestion from an aptitude test was nursing, I thought "that's a women's job" or "people will think that I'm a homosexual." There is a stigma that nursing is a "feminine" field, whatever that means. Obviously these were close minded, immature thoughts of a high school guy but I know that these same thoughts will cross many guys' minds when considering nursing as a career. Even my father after he found out I chose nursing was confused, asking "why would you choose a women's job?" Though these were barriers to my choice to become a nurse, looking back, I'm extremely proud I went through with it.
A defining time for my choice to become a nurse was when I was just like you, researching online "what is it like to be a male nurse?" I remember coming across an article on a site just like this. I remember seeing the varying experiences as what it's like to be a "male nurse" or "murse." Some were good, some not so great. There's even communities of male nurses offering support to one another. The problem here is that we have created a dividing line between ourselves and our female counterparts. Now that men are starting to dive into the nursing field you see even more division such as women belonging in the maternal units or pediatric units because they are more "nurturing." THIS ASSUMPTION IS NOT TRUE. I've seen a 6 foot 7 300 Ib previous D2 football lineman soothe a peanut of a baby to sleep and I'll tell you what, I wouldn't cross the man. The one thing I can only hope to reach you men out there is that you are not a "male nurse." You're a nurse and be proud of it. We are the same as our colleagues, male or female. You're a nurse just like they are. We each individually have our own strengths and weaknesses. You just have to find what you're passionate about as find a specialty you are happy in. There are endless opportunities as a nurse. It's up to you where you'll fall in.
Do not let anyone shake you from choosing this profession. I promise you, it will reward you in ways you never thought possible. In the end, find your place, be proud, and be humble. Thanks everyone!
