[michigancna]

1.) Have you ever felt discriminated against because you are a male?
Yes. Some Charge Nurses seemed to prefer a female staff for hire, thinking that females are more caring or nurturing. This should be based on individual character.

2.) Have patients ever refused your care, because you are a male?
Sure, some female patient have said they did not want me to do their foleys or give a shower/bath. On the flipside, some male patient have expressed relief that a caring male was going to assist them in a 'embarassing' procedure or question.


3.) Is there a difference in how women and men patients act around you?
I think how professional I behave controls their reaction, rather than my sex. Having a clean, professional uniform and acting professional fixes a lot of patient's behavior towards me.

4.) Do you feel you have to defend your actions/decisions to your female co workers because of your gender?
I did at first, probably a ego knee-jerk reaction. But I just say I am a lifesaver just the same as any nurse or doctor. My high quality work ethic and behavior shuts down any b.s. talk about guys being nurses, we can do it just as well as any nurse!

5.) There is a certain stereotype that women are better at nurturing than men, do you feel that this is true?
This is sorta like the stereotype that guys make better police officers than females? No, it comes down to the quality of your work/study. Like a father has his role in raising a child, I use my abilities to nurture people to live.

6.) Any stories or experiences that you have.
This job is more than about money or a title. I am here to save lives. When I die and go see God at the gates of Heaven, God might ask me "What will you do for eternity?", I want to answer, "The same thing I did on earth, I want to save lives." Thats how I want to spend the rest of my days.

[michael8i]

1.) Have you ever felt discriminated against because you are a male?
Yes
2.) Have patients ever refused your care, because you are a male?
Yes
3.) Is there a difference in how women and men patients act around you?
Yes
4.) Do you feel you have to defend your actions/decisions to your female co workers because of your gender?
I feel I have to act differently and cannot be myself at work. I feel this is a gender related issue.
5.) There is a certain stereotype that women are better at nurturing than men, do you feel that this is true?
I do not feel that I am any less capable of caring for patients as a nurse.
6.) Any stories or experiences that you have.
I have too many stories to even start telling right now. There are so many examples of gender bias in my nursing career.