[stillearning]

Okay, I confess, I'm female, prowling around the men's threads in search of some realism.

We are (at my facility) in pursuit of Magnet status and have been delving the depths of our diversity which, in mostly-white Minnesota is not an easy chore.

We have stumbled upon an interesting finding, in our small facility (by large-hospital standards) about 7.2% of our nursing workforce is male. I think the national standards put the average around 5.4%, so it looks like we're fairly progressive.

We have commissioned our nurse researcher (a man recently done with his PhD coursework and currently working on his dissertation) to gather together these men in our workforce an see what they're up to. We are hoping that the group will tell us WHY they work at our facility (and in nursing) WHERE they see themselves going (hopefully in nursing) and WHAT we might do as a healthcare system to attract even more men into our workforce.

Do you have any wisdom to contribute to our efforts? Some of the guys seem excited that a "group for guys" is underway, others think it's stupid, that gender is a useless determinant for discussion. Either way, I am anxious to see what we learn from our "men in nursing" but decided I'd open our process to a larger world of men, beyond our own nurses.

What's important to you? What keeps (or would keep) you on a job, in a position or at a particular healthcare system? Is male-ness a worthy minority status for us to be studying?

Let me know. (and thanks for sharing your forum with us females!)

--p

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by stillearning

Okay, I confess, I'm female, prowling around the men's threads in search of some realism.

We are (at my facility) in pursuit of Magnet status and have been delving the depths of our diversity which, in mostly-white Minnesota is not an easy chore.

We have stumbled upon an interesting finding, in our small facility (by large-hospital standards) about 7.2% of our nursing workforce is male. I think the national standards put the average around 5.4%, so it looks like we're fairly progressive.

We have commissioned our nurse researcher (a man recently done with his PhD coursework and currently working on his dissertation) to gather together these men in our workforce an see what they're up to. We are hoping that the group will tell us WHY they work at our facility (and in nursing) WHERE they see themselves going (hopefully in nursing) and WHAT we might do as a healthcare system to attract even more men into our workforce.

Do you have any wisdom to contribute to our efforts? Some of the guys seem excited that a "group for guys" is underway, others think it's stupid, that gender is a useless determinant for discussion. Either way, I am anxious to see what we learn from our "men in nursing" but decided I'd open our process to a larger world of men, beyond our own nurses.

What's important to you? What keeps (or would keep) you on a job, in a position or at a particular healthcare system? Is male-ness a worthy minority status for us to be studying?

Let me know. (and thanks for sharing your forum with us females!)

--p

It was my understanding the national average of male nurses in the workforce is around 6-7%. I read in the June 2006 edition of the Men in Nursing Journal at the University Hospital in Syracuse their average percentage of male nurses is 11%. The average percentage of male nurses where I work is around 34%, however I am an active duty Army RN.

Nonetheless, I commend you & your facility's desire to recruit more male nurses. You mention to have a small facility, so I wonder where is the 7.2% of your male nurses working at your facility? Most male nurses seem to gravitate towards the more high tech areas of nursing such as Emergency Department, Critical Care, OR Department, etc. As a civilian nurse I worked in Telemetry, ICU, an the OR. Now, as an Army RN I work in ICU.

Getting into the nursing field is tough enough, even without the gender-bias men face... perceived, or real. Young men need to disregard social norms, which are slowly changing, as well as disregard the negative perceptions of men entering nursing as a career. I came into the health care field as a second career in my mid-30's. It takes a strong, secure young man to decide on nursing at a young age.

Is their a local college, or university with a nursing program in your area? If so, see how/if they are receptive to male students. Possibly, consider developing a partnership with their nursing program as a way to recruit more male nurses.

Thank you for posting such an outstanding Thread.

[stillearning]

MagRed --
Ours is a small, specialty peds hospital with a BIG emphasis on out-patient clinics (that's where we see our huge volume).

The men I've counted are mainly in PICU, the OR, Anesthesia (CRNA), and out-patient clinics.

As we gather our group, we are encouraging our unlicensed men-in-nursing (patient care tech's, NA's even re-processing tech's, etc.) to join in the discussion. We always encourage current employees to pursue a career ladder, but I don't think we've asked these men what might tip them toward a professional education.

We are located in a fairly large city and maintain at least 8 college/university affiliations. Every class tends to have a male or two, but I don't see any of our local schools really "opening their arms" to men.

We have a nurse manager or two who will likely retire in a year or so. . .it would be nice to add some testosterone to our manager group. I'm keeping my eyes open for some nice, young, bright male who might be coaxed into applying when those vacancies occur.

Thanks for your reply. I always like reading your posts.

--p

[Ricu]

Originally Posted by stillearning

Okay, I confess, I'm female, prowling around the men's threads in search of some realism.

We are (at my facility) in pursuit of Magnet status and have been delving the depths of our diversity which, in mostly-white Minnesota is not an easy chore.

We have stumbled upon an interesting finding, in our small facility (by large-hospital standards) about 7.2% of our nursing workforce is male. I think the national standards put the average around 5.4%, so it looks like we're fairly progressive.

We have commissioned our nurse researcher (a man recently done with his PhD coursework and currently working on his dissertation) to gather together these men in our workforce an see what they're up to. We are hoping that the group will tell us WHY they work at our facility (and in nursing) WHERE they see themselves going (hopefully in nursing) and WHAT we might do as a healthcare system to attract even more men into our workforce.

Do you have any wisdom to contribute to our efforts? Some of the guys seem excited that a "group for guys" is underway, others think it's stupid, that gender is a useless determinant for discussion. Either way, I am anxious to see what we learn from our "men in nursing" but decided I'd open our process to a larger world of men, beyond our own nurses.

What's important to you? What keeps (or would keep) you on a job, in a position or at a particular healthcare system? Is male-ness a worthy minority status for us to be studying?

Let me know. (and thanks for sharing your forum with us females!)

--p

Hi P,

I went into nursing as a third career; all in some form of healthcare. I find it the most challenging by far, of all of my careers for all of the reasons we currently know, both good and bad. The least important of those challenges was and is the perception of men in nursing. While prejudice against men in nursing is an issue, I find it more of a minor nuisance than a deterrant to entering the workforce. I agree with MAG that a young guy choosing nursing as a first career would have to be emotionally secure and comfortable in his identity as a male before entering any career dominated by women. I think this issue is more of a concern for young adults in general because they're in the formative stage of adulthood anyway. I realize this in my perception, but I believe that once people are in their mid to late twenties they're less concerned with such things.

Over the years working as a rare male (I thought you were the doctor) in healthcare, my study of society has led me to draw the following conclusions. Consider the traditional definitions of male and female roles established in our culture even the most flexible viewpoints of today, and then think about this: Sexrole identity is more important to men than women and switching roles would likely be more threatening to men. For example, a woman who becomes a firefighter proves that she can face mortal danger, operate under enormously stressful conditions, use complex and powerful machinery and carry the weight of at least one large adult up and down a ladder by herself and with her turnout gear on. This woman is highly esteemed and becomes a hero. She shows uncommon strength. All of these attributes are defined by our society as highly valuable. From the common public viewpoint, a man who becomes a nurse learns a skill set that is quite different; emphasizing caring and compassion. He looks after, bathes and dresses the patients, changes their bandages and gives them medicine. When the physician arrives and requests it, he assists in procesures. He doesn't use heavy equipment, he doesn't face mortal peril. While important and necessary; like cleaning house and doing laundry, these skills are not highly esteemed. Nurses in the field know otherwise but this IS the general impression of the public. They don't know how much knowledge is needed, how complex the equipment is, how dangerous the exposure can be, how stressful the environment is, how physically challenging it can be, and how much responsibility and decision making there is. I find it somewhat rewarding to hear newcomers to the field remark about how much there is to nursing that they didn't know even after completing clinicals. You really have to walk in the shoes to know.

Good luck with your research- we're pursuing Magnet where I work too.

R

[stillearning]

Dear R --
I like your sociological approach to understanding the world's perceptions of men in nursing. In particular when you note that a man, entering nursing learns skills "emphasizing caring and compassion. He looks after, bathes and dresses the patients, changes their bandages and gives them medicine. When the physician arrives and requests it, he assists in procesures. He doesn't use heavy equipment, he doesn't face mortal peril. While important and necessary; like cleaning house and doing laundry, these skills are not highly esteemed".

And yet, there's a lot to be said for caring and compassion -- look at how much we (used to) trust priests and other clergy -- especially at times of personal trial.

I think a lot of the "chores" of nursing, while requiring skill, look a lot like the work of servants -- butlers, maids, dressers, nannies. And in our society while we may WISH we were rich enough for those old-world symbols of money (having our own servants), we seem to despise their work -- cleaning, dressing, bathing. Working in peds may make that easier, just because every adult knows that kids need help. Feeding a kid, dressing a kid, even bathing a kid is something we all did -- either as a babysitter or an older sibling or a parent. It makes it more okay.

If only the "invisible" work of nursing were more well understood. I especially wish more nurses took it seriously. Too many of us don't feel we've done something important if we can't check it off our shift to-do list. But talking to a family, explaining a procedure, locating a loved-one, finding the blankie lost in the hospital laundry are all "invisible" work and important work too!

So is sorting out the symptoms of respiratory change or noticing the subtle signs of slight cyanosis. But until you call the MD and get an "order" it's like you haven't really DONE anything. If I could change one thing in nursing it would be that -- to help nurses recognize and talk about what they are DOING when it looks like they are not doing anything! Patients need to know what we're up to on their behalf -- when we're not passing medications!

Thanks for your insights. I'll keep you posted on what we learn from the guys at work. I've begun to have some light conversations with the guys in clinic since they're near my work-space and we run into each other fairly often. They will certainly add some energy to the group if it actually gets going. We'll see. . .

Take care, stay well. Good luck with your magnet journey as well!

--p

[cntrybleu]

Originally Posted by stillearning

Okay, I confess, I'm female, prowling around the men's threads in search of some realism.

We are (at my facility) in pursuit of Magnet status and have been delving the depths of our diversity which, in mostly-white Minnesota is not an easy chore.

We have stumbled upon an interesting finding, in our small facility (by large-hospital standards) about 7.2% of our nursing workforce is male. I think the national standards put the average around 5.4%, so it looks like we're fairly progressive.

We have commissioned our nurse researcher (a man recently done with his PhD coursework and currently working on his dissertation) to gather together these men in our workforce an see what they're up to. We are hoping that the group will tell us WHY they work at our facility (and in nursing) WHERE they see themselves going (hopefully in nursing) and WHAT we might do as a healthcare system to attract even more men into our workforce.

Do you have any wisdom to contribute to our efforts? Some of the guys seem excited that a "group for guys" is underway, others think it's stupid, that gender is a useless determinant for discussion. Either way, I am anxious to see what we learn from our "men in nursing" but decided I'd open our process to a larger world of men, beyond our own nurses.

What's important to you? What keeps (or would keep) you on a job, in a position or at a particular healthcare system? Is male-ness a worthy minority status for us to be studying?

Let me know. (and thanks for sharing your forum with us females!)

--p

Check this article from CBS

There's only a handful of men where I work that are LPN's and RN's. I enjoy my job, respect the women there, and for the most part women are happy that theres a man to do some of the harder cares. I feel it should be equal work, which for the most part is. I do realize there are more women in the field and at my job than men, and all of the DON's and ADON's are women.

Will there ever be a male DON ? Not sure, maybe in a few years or so. I do have a few women workers that really don't like working with men, and thats fine and I stay clear of them, I know who they are, you only have to work with them to notice the dislike.

Other than that, I love my work, and working with my patients and staff.

[Ricu]

Hi folks,

Thanks P. Good luck yourself.

Cntrybleu,

A few years ago, I worked at a hospital where the DON was male. He'd been there for many years and recently retired. While doing that, he was also chairman of the state board of nursing for many years. He was excellent and is sorely missed.

R

[orionseal]

What? I'm saposed to be different, or want somthing different out of my carrear as a nurse? Did you say they have formed a group just for us, we men who happen to be nurses? Remind me not to join please. It is almost criminal to think that I want somthing other than to be the best Nurse that I can be. What I want more than anything is to be taken seriously by the world at large. I have to say the only thing I can see that would improve things for me personaly is for me to become a better Nurse overall.

[CHPNA]

Good Morning All,

Currently, I am a CHPNA working towards my RN. I am doing an Expository Essay on male nurses for English Comp.

If anyone would like to answer my questions, add some input, be it male or female, I would truly appreciate it.

Here is part of my outline:

Peer to peer view of male nurses
a. performance on the job

why did they enter the field?
b. are they treated differently by patients?
c. are they treated differently by Doctors?
d. are they treated differently by other nurses?
e. how many other males in their graduating class?

the ratio of male versus female nurses employed
b. the difference between male and female nurses

Competitive pay & benefits
a. are they offered the same wage and benefits as female nurses?

Any insight would be helpful, Cindy