this forum

[smbrn]

I just want to say that as a female nurse of 24 years I really enjoy reading the posts on this site. I was aware that there was some discrimination against male nurses, but not quite the level of frustration that is out there. Nursing should be embracing people of all backgrounds who want to enter the "profession" if it can be called that. Certainly people who bring different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives help nurses, not hinder them. Thanks for the input and hope you don't mind me checking in from time to time! Sheila B RN

[nursinghumor]

Hello Sheila,

Feel free to check in, and chime in frequently.

No guarantees that we'll always be in agreement, but we're always glad to hear from you.

In regard to gender bias I'm lucky in that I've always known it was there, but always had enough supportive nurses nearby to help me get past the few who insisted on practicing it.

Gender bia practiced by patients is a whole other issues but we got past that also.

Seems a lot of patients that found out I was a nurse and not a doctor automatically assumed I was gay.

Not being particularly homophobic it didn't bother me much, but I won't say it doesn't bother me at all.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[afrigger01]

Nursing Humor, I just had my first are you a doctor experience and then the you must be Gay experience. I just laughed. I thought of your post imediately. I am 5'10" 270 at 18% bodyfat and military for 12 years with a really deep voice. Everything says straight but put that nurse atttachment and I am gay instantly.

I just responded no I am a murse and you will have to ask my two kids if I am gay.

[nursinghumor]

Heh, heh, That works. I've got a three and a half year old daughter who's picture I flash around.

All I can say is it'll happen only a few thousand more times in your career from patients, other nurses, doctors, etc.

As long as you take it in stride, you'll do fine. Most of the time it's unintentional, for the rest of the time, just chalk it up to ignorance and get past it.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[afrigger01]

I does nobody any good to freak out about it. Besides, I am in it for the chicks!!! Just kidding, although I do have a few girls in my class that are looking to marry doctors. For me though, my girlfriend is in law school.

[Blessed]

like that word "murse", I'll have to use that....J

[nursinghumor]

[ QUOTE ]
afrigger01 said:
I does nobody any good to freak out about it. Besides, I am in it for the chicks!!! Just kidding, although I do have a few girls in my class that are looking to marry doctors. For me though, my girlfriend is in law school.

[/ QUOTE ]

One of the hidden advantages of being a male in a female dominated profession is access to a large number of women on a professional and casual basis.

Long as you don't hit on someone you work with directly on your unit, there are lots of opportunities.

Just hanging around the nurses station hearing the other nurses *****ing about their husbands, boyfriends, etc will be an excellent education about dating.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[Blessed]

[ QUOTE ]
nursinghumor said:
[ QUOTE ]
afrigger01 said:
I does nobody any good to freak out about it. Besides, I am in it for the chicks!!! Just kidding, although I do have a few girls in my class that are looking to marry doctors. For me though, my girlfriend is in law school.

[/ QUOTE ]

One of the hidden advantages of being a male in a female dominated profession is access to a large number of women on a professional and casual basis.

Long as you don't hit on someone you work with directly on your unit, there are lots of opportunities.

Just hanging around the nurses station hearing the other nurses *****ing about their husbands, boyfriends, etc will be an excellent education about dating.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[/ QUOTE ]









AGREE, AGREE! By the time I put several more years under my belt, I'll be able to start my own talk show on dating , marriage, and how to counsel others.

[Forshae]

Removing information....

[SteveD]

Hi Andrew (and all male nurses),

It's cool that you can shrug off malicious, mean-spirited "gay" remarks. Honestly, I can't. Maybe it's because I'm a new nurse; maybe it's because I'm 26. I'm no homophobe, although I don't welcome the lifestyle (as un-PC as that sounds). More often than not, I believe those comments are meant to belittle men involved in nursing. Remember the "It's Pat!" skits on SNL? As funny as those skits were, it wasn't socially acceptable for Pats friends (or whatever relation they were) to ask Pat his or her gender!

Point being: Who died and thought it socially acceptable to ask anyone his or her sexual preference, nurse or non-nurse? It just seems those remarks (or innocent questions) are really tactless regardless of it's intent. But we continue practicing tolerance, biting our tongues, bending over and…! (I needed to add irony!)

OK, I know my post is a little over the top. But I believe if society is ready to embrace female physicians (as they should), then they should also embrace the 2005 reality that 95% or > of male nurses are heterosexual. Anyone, feel free to respond.