Being a Male Nurse

[SoldierNurse]

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.

[Ricu]

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

Hey bearded,

I think you may be right on most accounts. Nurses frequently do eat their young. Sometimes those older, traditionalist, nurses do prefer female colleagues but not all. This is just my observation but for complicated social reasons, many of them unfair, being male will sometimes prove to be advantageous in specialty areas like critical care, emergency care, orthopedic surgery, and inpatient psychiatric care. At least for a little while longer, being male in the field of nursing will make you a novelty but it's up to you to make that a good thing.

The part of your statement that makes me wince is where you speak about "dishing it back." I can understand how you might want to put those nurses in their place and would even go so far as to say that you could be justified in doing so but, please don't. We are all adults and our behavior should reflect that but it gets strange when there are adult students and adult teachers. Those roles definitely fit some better than others. Things don't automatically improve with graduation and passing the boards, either. There is a transition period and it varies somewhat but you can expect it to take about a year before you really feel right in your nursing skin. Being a newbie is challenging on it's best day but you will not be a newbie forever. In fact, it won't be long at all before you are trailing your own students around the unit. Do yourself the favor now, of taking the high road. Do your job well and learn everything you can. Be agreeable but not ingratiating. Stay out of the politics. Finally, and for the future, strive to remember what this feels like.

In your corner,

R

[AldrichKyoshizu]

Hey guys,

I'm starting ADN in 10 days.
I don't really have a story, except for one.

It was the nursing orientation, and f****, I did stand out.
Not only I am a dude, I was the youngest one. The speaker was announcing how diverse the age group was. She started at 21-31 and said how many people were in that age group, then 31-41 and so on. I'm 18, I felt left out. on the bright side (according to the speaker) there is a good gender ratio which is 10:57

I don't really give a dam on the stereotype that is going to be placed on me. I care about the crap load of homework. I just bought the books for this semester and they had to get a box so I can carry it. $800

[Ricu]

Hey guys,

I'm starting ADN in 10 days.
I don't really have a story, except for one.

It was the nursing orientation, and f****, I did stand out.
Not only I am a dude, I was the youngest one. The speaker was announcing how diverse the age group was. She started at 21-31 and said how many people were in that age group, then 31-41 and so on. I'm 18, I felt left out. on the bright side (according to the speaker) there is a good gender ratio which is 10:57

I don't really give a dam on the stereotype that is going to be placed on me. I care about the crap load of homework. I just bought the books for this semester and they had to get a box so I can carry it. $800

Hey Aldrich,

Welcome to the field of nursing. You're in for quite a ride but you will do well if you keep focused and work hard. You shouldn't get a whole lot in the stereotype area but it may feel a little strange being a relatively uncommon male. You will adjust if you let go of any preconceived notions- we all have them.

Take care and stay in touch.

R

[VACRNA]

I have been a nurse for 25 yrs. When I went to school the New York Times did a article about my class because we had 25% guys. Being a guy in nursing is uncomfortable in the beginning but when you see how you can help people in their time of need you slowly begin to see what a great profession you have been called to. Good luck

[Robert F]

In critical care, especially flight nursing; the split between males and females is pretty even, so I havent really felt the brunt of the judgement of the general public. Then again, I do have patient's family members every now and then that call out "Doctor"; and wonder why I dont turn around, lol.
They sometimes ask me, are you a resident or an intern, but that is about it.

Think of it like this fellas. If pulling in what we pull in makes us sissies, so be it. The truth is, nurses make good salaries, and rightfully so given the amount of time we have dedicated to training and the responsibilities we shoulder. I am proud to be a nurse, and when I enroll in med school; I will still keep my RN active, although I might not work that many shifts as an RN.

[SoldierNurse]

In critical care, especially flight nursing; the split between males and females is pretty even, so I havent really felt the brunt of the judgement of the general public. Then again, I do have patient's family members every now and then that call out "Doctor"; and wonder why I dont turn around, lol.
They sometimes ask me, are you a resident or an intern, but that is about it.

Think of it like this fellas. If pulling in what we pull in makes us sissies, so be it. The truth is, nurses make good salaries, and rightfully so given the amount of time we have dedicated to training and the responsibilities we shoulder. I am proud to be a nurse, and when I enroll in med school; I will still keep my RN active, although I might not work that many shifts as an RN.

No sir, once you become an MD you will practice under the medical model. So, rather than keep your RN license when that day comes just always be an advocate for RNs after you become a Doc.

[Robert F]

Well yes, once I get my M.D., I will be required to practice to the standards of a medical doctor. However, I do not have to let my RN lapse. There are a couple of docs at Vanderbilt who started as Paramedics and continued to hold on to their license. I worked too hard for that RN to let it lapse, lol.

[SoldierNurse]

Well yes, once I get my M.D., I will be required to practice to the standards of a medical doctor. However, I do not have to let my RN lapse. There are a couple of docs at Vanderbilt who started as Paramedics and continued to hold on to their license. I worked too hard for that RN to let it lapse, lol.

I'm thinking you will work even harder to achieve MD.

[Robert F]

Well yeah, that's gonna be a challenge; but as I am sure you know Cpt. anything that is worth while is.