[SoldierNurse]

Advertisements of female nurses wearing the white hat and crisp white uniform is a disservice to both male and female nurses.

References to nursing need to be gender neutral to facilitate breaking down the gender – based associations with the nursing profession. A conscious effort should be made to refrain from referring to all nurses as “she”. Language and images are often the most dominant and influential forces in our culture. Nurses, within the profession, must overcome the gender bias that became automatic in the 1900’s. Most nurses don’t care who you are, male or female, as long as you can do the job. Furthermore, patients don’t care if their nurse is a male or female.

Traditional lines of thought such as nursing is “women’s work” further devalues the profession for both male and female nurses. The superior – subordinate physician – nurse relationship is no longer the norm in the health care industry just as the male – female husband – housewife role is no longer the norm in society. The Florence Nightingale era, although her contributions to nursing were tremendous, has long past. Florence Nightingale advocated standards of conduct for nurses that emphasized deference, and obedience, which institutionalized the patriarchal base and power of men, as physicians, in health care. Men in nursing can foster a new physician – nurse professional relationship that female nurses can benefit from.

[LeahNTexas]

I totally agree. Well Said!

[Aaron C.]

I know exactly where you are coming from since I'm a male nurse too. I approved the images for the design and I know what you mean, but if you can find some different images that fit in there, I'l be glad to have them replaced.

It's VERY difficult to find them...

[SoldierNurse]

[ QUOTE ]
shortbus said:
I know exactly where you are coming from since I'm a male nurse too. I approved the images for the design and I know what you mean, but if you can find some different images that fit in there, I'l be glad to have them replaced.

It's VERY difficult to find them...

[/ QUOTE ]


I will try to copy&paste some PICs of male & female nurses wearing the more modern scrub attire.

[Aaron C.]

Thanks man, I'd appreciate it. And if you can find one that will fit in with our header, I will have that image replaced...

[medi]

Hi MagRedC5,

I agree with everything you said-- the only time I ever wore white was as a student, and I hate caps. Stuck with BDU's or scrubs ever since!

Let's not forget that back in Flo's time she was trying to overcome the fact that prior to her day "nurses" for hire consisted for the most part of desperately poor widows or social outcasts such as prostitutes and slum scum.

Hence the "white everything", uniform, opaque stockings, caps, apron etc. To portray a clean "pure" image... and to make even a drop dead gorgeous female look sexless and undesirable... ahem....

Thankfully the times have changed and it's way beyond the time for the profession to change as well. Scrubs make a LOT more sense for everyone...

Are you still on active duty? I was ANC too. Medically retired in 1992 after an injury in the line of duty during Desert Storm. Was with the 5th ID at the time.... in charge of the ER at Baynes Jones ACH. How about you?

[SoldierNurse]

[ QUOTE ]
medi said:
Hi MagRedC5,

I agree with everything you said-- the only time I ever wore white was as a student, and I hate caps. Stuck with BDU's or scrubs ever since!

Let's not forget that back in Flo's time she was trying to overcome the fact that prior to her day "nurses" for hire consisted for the most part of desperately poor widows or social outcasts such as prostitutes and slum scum.

Hence the "white everything", uniform, opaque stockings, caps, apron etc. To portray a clean "pure" image... and to make even a drop dead gorgeous female look sexless and undesirable... ahem....

Thankfully the times have changed and it's way beyond the time for the profession to change as well. Scrubs make a LOT more sense for everyone...

Are you still on active duty? I was ANC too. Medically retired in 1992 after an injury in the line of duty during Desert Storm. Was with the 5th ID at the time.... in charge of the ER at Baynes Jones ACH. How about you?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm 1LT USAR with the 5501st USAH, FSH San Antonio, TX.
I plan on going active duty for the Army Nurse Anesthesia Masters program (CRNA). I have 9 years prior service (7 active duty) with USMC. If everything works out as planned I will do 13 years active duty in the Army Nurse Corps to reach 20 yrs for retirement.

BTW, thanks for the reply.

[medi]

I was planning to do the CRNA route too.. great plan! Have you applied yet? Can't beat having the army pick up the tab for the education after all.

[SoldierNurse]

No, I have not applied, yet. I still need to finish Organic Chemistry, which is probably the hardest course I've ever taken. Plus, need to take the GRE. I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks for asking.