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How does a man survive in a woman’s world? Here are some down-and-dirty survival tips that every ‘male nurse’ needs to know in order to survive in the wilderness of women.
Learn the ways of the Venutians
Men are truly from Mars, and yes Women are from Venus. We live on two different worlds, but we do occupy the same solar system. We speak different languages (spoken and bodily language). Social habits are on opposite ends of the pole. And we of course can’t agree on much other than the fact we are different. But, I guarantee you can all find commonality -which is being a nurse.
Never, ever, ever under any circumstances be that ‘typical’ man
OK guys. We have all heard the stereotype stories. Learn to not be THAT guy while at work. Even if you are, or can be, don’t be that guy at work of all places. If you’re not sure look around you? Are you always left high and dry? Little to no teamwork from the team? Always eating your meals alone? (hmm.. You might need to re-evaluate). If all else fails, simply ask a Venutian, they love to tell it like it is.
Learn to love the color pink (oh.. and candles too)
I’m not sure why, it just is. Never question, just assimilate – it’s safer that way.
Emotions are not what they seem
Crying is a form of trickery. Just because someone smiles and laughs at your jokes, does not mean they like you. When you hear them whispering, be sure to never look them in the eye. On the playground, guys will punch you in the face if they don’t like you, or have a dispute. After the punch, and the dust settles respect is exchanged and then call it even. In the wilderness women will find a way to extend their torture and mayhem over months at a time, redirecting their havoc to everything that affects you and then never fully admit their angst. Be careful, be very careful.
Being invisible is a good thing
Hypothetically speaking of course. When you become invisible, you are no longer viewed as the ‘male nurse’ or the ‘guy’ they work with. Now you’re just a fellow co-worker, or colleague. Camouflage is your best defense.
Always put the toilet seat down!
In most cases you are usually one of the few men working that shift, so when the seat is left up, the blame game gets REAL easy. Oh yeah, and if you fail to even move the seat during your ‘visit’, you better leave things in the same condition you found them. (Do I really need to explain the dribble effect??) Don’t ever let an angry wet-bottomed women corner you – you will not survive.
Disclaimer: Yes, once again this is all in fun. Anyone who is a ‘male nurse’ or works with them can take some humor from this post. In the end we are all part of the same awesome team. Gender is never an issue, until you make it an issue. All in fun…
I will remeber this for I am a student RN
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Richard Best of luck on your journey!
I AGREE TO THIS 100%..I HAVE MY OWN EXPERIENCE TOO…U NEED A LOT OF PATIENCE TODEAL WITH YOUR FEMALE COLLEAGUES.MOREOVER U NEED TO BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR LIKES AND DISLIKES…BUT THEY CAN BE THE ONE TO COVER YOUR MESS WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS THERE FOR YOU…THEY CAN BE TOUGH SOMETIMES….IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE BACKGROUND THEY ARE COMING FROM….
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Benedict Patience is a key ingredient for any good team. Thanks for sharing!
Some women nurses can be very territorial too. Stay out of their way. Stay away of what they think is their “territory.” You will survive longer.
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Roy I will simply plead the fifth on that one.
This from a person with an XX chromosome: Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Jean Thanks for poking fun back at us. Appreciate the candor!
Sean, I wasn’t poking fun at you – I was giving a little advice on not getting caught up in the gossip mill. Women are much less civilized than men, don’t ever be fooled!
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Jean Ahhh! Well thanks for the clarification and the heads up.
RN
Registered Nurse
One very important thing a guy needs to work with women… and maybe this falls under not being the “typical” man, but specifically; Develop a running loop recording in your head that repeatedly tells you, “Don’t look at the boobs. Don’t look at the boobs. Don’t look at the boobs. Don’t look at the boobs”…
RN
Registered Nurse
Dean, If ‘the boobs’ are hanging out (which seems to be the fashion these days) you would not be HUMAN if you did not LOOK!
Besides, the more that you have such a thought in your HEAD, the greater the probability that it WILL ‘pop out’ sooner or later.
Remember ‘Austin Powers’ and the MOLE?
Just because your female co-workers may be good looking, remember, you are there as a nurse. Not to try to hook-up.Leave that for away from work.
“Being Invisible is a good thing”. Are you kidding!? The advice for men working in nursing is to be invisible so we can be part of the team. I can’t believe what I just read. This is the same kind of advice given to women when they first entered into Medicine. Who ever wrote this and who ever agrees with this advise ask yourself this, what kind of reaction would you receive if you gave this advice to new doctors of the female sex? Also, do you think it is a appropriate to do so? My wife is a physician and I can tell you the answer should be NO to both. Men in nursing don’t need advice like this. It’s as if you are suggestion we are the help and should just blend in. We don’t need men to hid themeless we need men to standout and be noticed. Like every female pioneer did before.