Being a Male Nurse

[Ricu]

Originally Posted by Christof60

Just adding my $.02 worth, and actually am starting a thread making the same points I will mostly paraphrase here.
I recieved my RN in 1994 and have worked in MS, ICU, PCU, Psych, Neuro Rehab, Management, and ER for the last 5 yrs.
Have there been great times? Yes. Would I do it all over again? No way. Am I going to stay in the profession? Not a chance.
I can only speak for myself, but I have never worked in such a terrible field when it comes to jobs, and I didnt recieve my nursing degree until I was 34 yrs old.
I am to the point where I can no longer take the backstabbing, bickering, gossiping, and micromanaging I have experienced by females in every dept I have worked in.... I have worked for jerk males no doubt, but as long as you did a good job they left you alone. Not so in nursing.... And the kiss arse, micromanaging, domineering females that I always find one or two of in every job I have held, always seem to be rewarded and maintain their positions, or are promoted... I currently work in Florida, and will be quitting my contract early as it has gotten to the point where my attitude towards patients is failing my profession and what I swore I would never let happen.

I hope sincerely that my situation is unique.

Hi Christof,

You've been at it a long time and from the sound of it, kicked around a lot. I've worked in many of the same places that you have and experienced the dynamics so really understand what you're saying. Healthcare workers are under a lot of stress anyway but these areas in particular see enormously high stress/burnout rates and behaviors reflect that. People aren't their best when chronically run down. I'd venture to guess too, that if we were to put only men or only women together under the same conditions, the communication may be different but likely just as poor.

In short friend, I wonder if it may be the effects of burnout eating away at you more than working with cranky women. Before you throw all that hard earned experience away, turn your back on something that you're good at and otherwise enjoy, consider a working in a totally different environment for awhile. Even though each has it's own set of issues, areas like outpatient cardiac rehab, marketing/sales, industrial/occupational nursing are very different and change is good. Think about it.

Good luck,

R

[Christof60]

Originally Posted by Ricu

Hi Christof,

You've been at it a long time and from the sound of it, kicked around a lot. I've worked in many of the same places that you have and experienced the dynamics so really understand what you're saying. Healthcare workers are under a lot of stress anyway but these areas in particular see enormously high stress/burnout rates and behaviors reflect that. People aren't their best when chronically run down. I'd venture to guess too, that if we were to put only men or only women together under the same conditions, the communication may be different but likely just as poor.

In short friend, I wonder if it may be the effects of burnout eating away at you more than working with cranky women. Before you throw all that hard earned experience away, turn your back on something that you're good at and otherwise enjoy, consider a working in a totally different environment for awhile. Even though each has it's own set of issues, areas like outpatient cardiac rehab, marketing/sales, industrial/occupational nursing are very different and change is good. Think about it.

Good luck,

R

Thanks for the kind thoughts.. I'm sure that burnout is a factor, simply the fact that the current medical model is broken beyond repair, no one really wants to fix it, and the ER is now the local clinic PLUS a life saving facility (at the same time), it figures that burnout is a given...
That aside, I have worked in high-stress fields before, but I have never dealt with as much pettyness, or controlling people as I have in this field. To put it bluntly, if a male were to treat me the way many female nurses have in the past, and do so in the present, we would have "taken a trip to the parking lot".
Just yesterday, the charge RN I unfortunately work with every weekend, belittled me and shouted "get a clue man, what is wrong with you" in front of the MD, PA-C, Staff, and Patients/families.
Now many would ask "why dont you do something about it, report it, file a complaint?"... Seems logical. But the current facility I work at did nothing when a Physician cursed me and slapped me in the back of the head during a conscience sedation procedure... No apology, not even an acknowledgement by HR or the high ups. But let a patient complain?? The CEO will personally write them a letter and fall all over himself.. I did tell the DON about it, simply to let her know it happened, and if it happened again "I will knock him out, no matter what we are doing".
So, to sum up, I could easily handle the stress, or idiot doctors, or uncaring administration, or mean ass nurses with chips on their shoulders... But not all at the same time.. I am too old and been thru way too much in my life to put up with this any longer (on my own since 16, been working since 12).

I hope to go back to school next fall, for US tech.. After thinking alot about what I could do, they seem to have a pretty good thing going as far as medical jobs.. 20-25 min test, print it out, fax to radiologist, pt back to room... Sounds pretty good to me...

[Christof60]

Originally Posted by SoldierNurse

I hope sincerely that you can find a nursing situation that appreciates your 14 yrs of nursing experience. BTW, I've always liked this poster & thought you might feel the same.

Thanks man... Good ol' Ft Lewis... Did a stint there (I am from Seattle).. My wife was an Air Force Nurse, and wishes she had stayed in. Says it was a whole different world, with much more respect given to nurses, and males appreciated by all, treated equally..
She also is burned out after 22 yrs as an L&D nurse, and is currently in school so she can quit nursing.
I'm telling you, somethings gotta give in this field, or the shortage hasnt even started yet..
Best of luck in your career Captain.. :shades_smile:

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by Christof60

Thanks man... Good ol' Ft Lewis... Did a stint there (I am from Seattle).. My wife was an Air Force Nurse, and wishes she had stayed in. Says it was a whole different world, with much more respect given to nurses, and males appreciated by all, treated equally..
She also is burned out after 22 yrs as an L&D nurse, and is currently in school so she can quit nursing.
I'm telling you, somethings gotta give in this field, or the shortage hasnt even started yet..
Best of luck in your career Captain.. :shades_smile:

Thanks!

[ruby43]

I can relate to everyone's stories, and I am sure we could all get together around the table at a restaurant and bar and tell each other loads of them. It definitely has been challenging for years, and each job I have had; I have encountered a different issue. It isn't going to go away. I have been a nurse for 20 yrs. My issues center more around being and LPN instead of an R.N.; but that said; it comes to the point after so long, that you just decide to take control of your own destiny. You have to be able to work at your job and do what you love, and if there is interference from the bleachers, it can be difficult. I tend to just leave or not return to a job if it gets too bad; I don't job hop...but when the opportunity comes up for me to go somewhere else, I do. I can, because I choose to do what I love and not have to rely on a particular employer to pay me or provide me with the "perfect" package. I want employers and co-workers to realize that I may be replaceable as a staff member, but they cannot find another person to give the care, and support and team work I provide...and that is my focus whenever I work somewhere. I emphasize my work ethics, my ability to take good care of the patients, regardless of work conditions; and my feelings on teamwork. Good luck whatever you decide. I have been at this a long time too, 20 years...so I have seen alot and dealt with alot. But you will come to a point where you will be more in control of the situation...you'll see. Best of luck, ruby 43.

[rayj]

I agree about all the BS you have to put up with, but I have not experienced it being all from female nurses. I work with a male nurse ass kisser who is in charge of our peri-operative dept., but he should not be as he is lazy and doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. But he knows which asses to kiss in the administration dept. and he doesn't hesitate to exercise his lips. Since I've been a CRNA for over 40 years, I have learned to deal with pains in the ass, whether they be doctors or staff.
You can't let it get to you and take away your enjoyment of doing a good job whether in nursing or anesthesia. There are always going to be people like that around, and sooner or later it catches up with them and bites them in the ass. I have to deal with a couple of women who are the same way, but fortunately I don't have to very often. Also, I am on short time, so I feel that I can deal with just about anything, and the nice thing about it is if worse comes to worse and I have to leave, I have a lot of other options since now there is a great demand for CRNAs of my vintage since most of them are already retired. As General Stillwell said, "Don't let the bastards grind you down" I try to make that a part of my daily philosophy and it seems to help to remember that. But then opinions are like assholes...everybody has one......

Ray J.:shades_smile:

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by ruby43

I can relate to everyone's stories, and I am sure we could all get together around the table at a restaurant and bar and tell each other loads of them. It definitely has been challenging for years, and each job I have had; I have encountered a different issue. It isn't going to go away. I have been a nurse for 20 yrs. My issues center more around being and LPN instead of an R.N.; but that said; it comes to the point after so long, that you just decide to take control of your own destiny. You have to be able to work at your job and do what you love, and if there is interference from the bleachers, it can be difficult. I tend to just leave or not return to a job if it gets too bad; I don't job hop...but when the opportunity comes up for me to go somewhere else, I do. I can, because I choose to do what I love and not have to rely on a particular employer to pay me or provide me with the "perfect" package. I want employers and co-workers to realize that I may be replaceable as a staff member, but they cannot find another person to give the care, and support and team work I provide...and that is my focus whenever I work somewhere. I emphasize my work ethics, my ability to take good care of the patients, regardless of work conditions; and my feelings on teamwork. Good luck whatever you decide. I have been at this a long time too, 20 years...so I have seen alot and dealt with alot. But you will come to a point where you will be more in control of the situation...you'll see. Best of luck, ruby 43.

I'm a little confused. How can you relate to being a male nurse?

[Ricu]

Originally Posted by SoldierNurse

I'm a little confused. How can you relate to being a male nurse?

She has a lot to say and there are many things we all have in common but I don't think she has first hand knowledge of what it's like being a male nurse.

Ditto that.

R

[njohnso4]

Hello all...
I'm currently a student nurse, and work in an SICU as an assistant, which is great experience. For the most part things run smoothly, but I've found that the older 20 or more year nurses tend to be less accepting. I've always attributed this to the phenomenon of nurses eating their young and not my maleness. However, I'm sure if I were female I would have less problems.

One in particular consistently talks **** about me and gets more upset when I dish it back as if I were going to stand their and take it, maybe I'm expected too

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by njohnso4

Hello all...
I'm currently a student nurse, and work in an SICU as an assistant, which is great experience. For the most part things run smoothly, but I've found that the older 20 or more year nurses tend to be less accepting. I've always attributed this to the phenomenon of nurses eating their young and not my maleness. However, I'm sure if I were female I would have less problems.

One in particular consistently talks **** about me and gets more upset when I dish it back as if I were going to stand their and take it, maybe I'm expected too

Naw, respectfully & tactfully dish it right back.