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I can’t say I like using the term ‘male nurse’, but it has staying power and clout when it comes to the circles of social media. I for one never use the darn term outside the internet. I find it misleading, confusing, and it sure doesn’t help alleviate the stereotypes out there by calling ourselves male nurses. But, the internet is what it is, so I’ll keep coining the term.
Male nurse myth #52: “The doctors treat a male nurse better/differently/preferentially than a female nurse” (by the way.. I have no idea how many myths are out there.. I just randomly picked a number).
This myth has been cropping up more and more lately. Not sure if it’s popularity is increasing, or I’m just paying attention more? The claim that a physician treats me better than my female co-workers is just hog-wash. Some claim it’s because I’m a ‘guy’. Some sort of male-bonding thing I guess? Other’s foolishly think doctor’s respect the ‘men’ more than the ‘women’. In the end, no matter what your theory is to explain this myth, it’s still just a myth. It AINT true.
As a male nurse (did I mention I hate that moniker), I get treated no differently based on my gender. My working relationship with any physician, just like all my other co-workers (regardless of gender), IS however directly correlated to my job performance.
The relationship between nurse and doctor is graded on a curve unfortunately. Let’s be honest here. A nurse who has keen critical thinking skills, an attention to detail work regimen and knows the golden rules of finely-balanced communication will have a great, strong, trusting and possibly stress-free relationship with any physician – once again regardless of the doctor or nurses’ gender.
A nurse who cannot efficiently prioritize their care, carelessly approaches their responsibilities, and either over or under communicates will struggle. They will have stress-saturated encounters with physicians and continue to improperly place passive blame.
The irony of it all, is that most physicians that trust your skills and your judgment end up treating you differently simply because they are comfortable enough to be ‘social’ with you.
Sure, men bond over ‘sports’ and other ‘manly’ things. Just like women bond over ‘fashion’ and other ‘girly’ things. I think one of the sources for this myth might have something to do with sheer numbers? I mean the majority of physicians are men (although not for long) and the number of men on a nursing unit is far smaller than women. So to single out a man and his working relationship with the physician’s just might be a statistical fact or anomaly (once again I’m just spit-balling here).
I’ve seen it balanced across the gender table. Physicians could care less what your gender is, what they care about is what kind of nurse you are, what kind of care you provide, and can they trust you.
Ask a fellow nurse, we all know the difference between a good and bad nurse. Need I remind you of the subconscious comments we all make to ourselves when we find out we are working with ‘that’ nurse or getting report from ‘that’ nurse.
During my career I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t want to be on the wrong side of that line. There have been many times where I have had to ‘check’ myself, and take a good hard look at what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. I think it had a lot to do with just growing into my role (once again.. just my opinion).
Preferential/better/different treatment (of any kind), in my humble opinion, is a sign of respect from one professional to another. It’s never been about your gender.
I disagree, I’ve been treated with more respect by some Doctors. It just depends on the Doctor in some cases, but I’ve seen it a few times.
So do female doctors treat female nurses different? get a grip, nurses
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
I’m going to have to agree with cherie’s statement here folks.
I have to differ. I was married to a male nurse that admitted he received more respect from male doctors,solely because he was a man.The same with a close friend.
Men respect other men’s opinions more, in every field.
I disagree with you to some extent. Like everything else in life, there is no one-size-fits-all, so while it may not be true IN GENERAL that men in nursing get preferential treatment over their female counterparts, I have certainly seen it happen. I truly value all males in nursing, and would encourage any young (or older) male to consider the field. But there is definitely a gender-bias that you may not be aware of, seeing that you are a male. On the other end of the spectrum, I don’t know of any males who have gone into L&D or become a Lactation Consultant – they probably would not have a lot of credibility in those areas.
It could be worse: in pediatrics I get called a boy nurse.
It is just human nature. You are drawn to those you feel mirror you. They may not realize they do it, or even make an effort to do it, but male doctors do treat male nurses differently. How could they not? I’m not saying it’s negative…honestly, who cares if they do? Like the author of this article said, if they see you as a capable healthcare professional, they may shake hands and talk about fishing with the male nurse first but they will still treat you with respect.
I think it’s more about how women relate to male doctors. They are neither your father nor your husband.
There may not be a difference in how male nurses are treated in the facilities that you have worked in. That is wonderful – to all be treated the same. But in the hospitals I have worked in – there is a huge difference!!
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@Lori Once again sorry you have that where you work.
I think that it comes down to one of two things. In so many cultures around the world women are treated with something falling quite short of respect. So, when some of the doctors come to this country to work they unfortunatly bring thier skewed view of the way to treat men vs women with them. The other reason, I think, is that if one man is threatening or rude with another male he can never be sure of the reaction he will get. How can he know if the offended will attack or submit. This thinking makes many of the doctors I have met treat males differently. Except for surgeons and thats because they are gods. If you don’t believe me just ask one.
@Joe Interesting evaluation, thanks for the comment.
It’s a Mans world baby!!!!!
Men get more respect because they deserve more respect.
Men are who shaped this world. Period.
I wonder how many females died in WW2?
3?……
I wonder how many females died fighting along side the Spartans.
0?……
I kind of always thought it was womens/minorities job to complain about trivial stereotypes. Seriously? Your a man, act like one. Dont go down the road of the panzies.
Scrubs Blogger
Scrubs Blogger
@ Inigo Thanks for your poignant feedback.
You are completely off. Men can talk about fashion. YOu should like a sexist. Maybe you should get some experience as a nurse before you decide to write as if an expert. I have been a “male” nurse for almost 30 years and am a Nurse Practitioner. Men are treated differently on the units. I never had a MD yell at me or expect coffee or to get up so they can sit to chart. Having only been a nurse a few years, and just earning your BSN. Maybe you should focus on your nursing skills developing instead of writing as if you are some expert. One last thing, STOP SPEAKING FOR ME. You are wrong on this and perhaps you need some therapy.
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Paranoid schizophrenia…I do not recall Sean speaking directly to you “G Man”. Tell those voices to go away. It was the toaster again. Listen man (I assume you are a man) it is a conversation. Opinions. Theory. No one is writing a book or teaching a class here. It is simply discussion between nurses of all ages and degrees. I see you are quite proud of your 30 years as a Nurse. You should be, but having age and education does not make you a good nurse. It just makes you a…well a nurse. Having compassion, understanding, being able to pick that drug book up and double check your 30 year memory, and not being to proud to do it; that’s what makes you a good nurse. Have respect for those that deserve it male or female. I can promise that I work with nurses and doctors that call me and ask my advice, and I do them as well. We are a team. I am a male nurse and I do bond with males better than females. I do not believe I am treated differently, but I do not recall talking about the sweater sale at Macey’s either. I do however believe that fishing and sports have came up a time or two. So as for the therapy part…well we all need some now and then. Seems you may be compensating for something in that 5th sentence though. Just say’n.
RN
Registered Nurse
Yeah, well I’m 6’4″ 220lbs, and in the last 15 years of my nursing career I have yet to run into a Dr. that feels comfortable enough to chew me out in front of other nurses like I’ve seen countless times with my female colleagues. Pretty sure that counts as getting treated differently.