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When I first decided to enter the nursing profession, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I hadn’t grown up wanting to be a nurse, nor did I give it much thought beforehand.
But I was bored and miserable working for the U.S. Postal Service and had to find something that was a lot more mentally stimulating. My mother, who is a nurse, suggested that I pursue nursing. I thought, “That’s a woman’s profession! Why would I want to do that?”
MYTH #1: NURSING IS A WOMAN’S PROFESSION
The idea of nursing being only a “woman’s profession” has given way to the idea that anyone can be a nurse. The number of men in nursing is steadily increasing, and that’s a good thing. There’s plenty of room under the nursing umbrella for both men and women.
Many so-called “manly men” like policemen and firemen pursue second careers in nursing after they retire. The step seems to be a logical one, since policemen and firemen are caretakers (of sorts) to begin with.
Variables such as flexibility of schedule, excellent pay and the daily challenges of nursing make the job very rewarding. The scientific and methodical approach to nursing is also what I would call “man-friendly.”
MYTH #2: MEN AREN’T EMOTIONALLY SUITED TO NURSING
What drew me to nursing, not as a man but as a human, was the interaction with people and the reward of helping others. That is a universal truth for nurses, be they male or female. I like to get people’s stories, finding out as much as I can about them, the way they live and who is around to assist them with their needs.
These are important aspects of caring for patients that only nurses think about while devising a plan of care. I believe that the nursing approach of caring for the entire individual should be the standard for all of those working in the healthcare field.
MYTH #3: MALE NURSES ARE JUST “WANNA BE” DOCTORS
Yes, from a man’s perspective, there are a lot of positive and negative aspects of nursing. One negative aspect is the assumption that we couldn’t hack med school. That’s obviously not the case for most of us.
Interestingly, being a male nurse truly gives us an advantage when dealing with most doctors. Doctors treat male nurses a bit differently than our female counterparts. I’ve seen many doctors talk to female nurses in ways they never would to a man.
BUT FINALLY, SOME TRUTHS ABOUT MALE NURSES
Even though I’ve debunked some myths, there are still a few “stigmas” about being a man in nursing. First, for the most part, you won’t ever get to work in a maternity ward! Second, I’ve found that a lot of young female patients are embarrassed about having a male nurse. (I always thought this was peculiar, though, seeing that most of their doctors were men!)
If a patient was uncomfortable having me as her nurse, I never took it personally. Being a nurse, I adapted and improvised. I’d simply switch that particular patient assignment with one of my female coworkers, and the problem was solved.
SO WHY SHOULD MEN PURSUE NURSING AS A CAREER?
Males are actually ideally suited to both the pressures and excitement of nursing. I’ve always liked comparing the nursing approach to that of the U.S. Marines: They adapt, improvise and overcome. Working just one nursing shift will prove that point!
Men also have a very different perspective than women on a lot of things, and it’s a good thing having them in the profession.
All in all, I love the label “male nurse.” When people ask me, “What’s it like being a male nurse?” I usually reply, “The ‘male’ part I’ve got down—it’s the ‘nurse’ part that takes a lot of hard work!”
Could not have said it any better myself. “The male part I have down, it is the nursing that takes a lot of hard work.” … “Boom goes the dynamite” Bravo! Well said. Another Male Nurse in OR .. I also teach Surgical Tech classes, an am a Board Member of the AST. I am very proud to be both, a nurse , and a male. *Big Grin*
By Feix 62 on May 22, 2009 at 10:02 am
The hardest part is getting patients and the public to understand we are nurses, not male nurses.
Oh, are you a male nurse? – No. I’m just a nurse. And I happened to be a male.
Thanks for the sounding board.
By Sean on June 25, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Great perspective! It is only on the rare occaision that I have had to switch an assignment because of my gender. I still get the questions, “Are you a doctor?” I tell them “No, I WORK FOR A LIVING!” For those men whowant see a different side of nursing join the military. The military has ~ 40% male nurses, compared to `5% in the civilian world.
By Terry on November 24, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hi Jim,
Nice article.
I echo Sean’s point on the term “Male Nurse”
It’s true about obstetrics. It’s funny. When I was in nursing school, OB was my favorite unit. In my clinicals, I had no problems with either the Dad’s or the Mom’s.(Good thing we didn’t have many Somali’s back then, or that would have been different) I had BIG problems with the women who were OB/GYN nurses. I have never been around a group of people who hated men in every way shape or form. They were unpleasant and brusque with the dads, and they were condescending and very unpleasant to the men in my class who were doing their clinicals.
To Terry’s point-you can also try working in the VA medical system, there is a higher percentage of men in that health system, as well.
By Steve on December 9, 2009 at 4:53 pm
What an awesome article, Jim! It is so true what you had mentioned about us being “wanna-be-doctors” – I had people, in nursing and outside, ask me regularly when was I going to go on to the medicals school… At first, I kept taking offense to that, but then I realized that it was OK, they were just curious.
Anyway, I find it interesting that a lot of people who don’t know that I am a “male nurse” ask me what I do and are taken aback when I tell them – I just happen to like bodybuilding, have large tattoos all over my arms (hence why I have to wear long sleeves and people at work don’t know that I have them, until I change scrubs)… so, it is no wonder at all that manly man – especially police officers and fire man would go into nursing for the sake of helping people and enjoying seeing what they do pay off at the end of the day. It is very rewarding.
By Valentine on December 11, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I know I laugh a lot more than most of my friends in traditional roles and when I was young and single…I felt like a rock star.
By DAVID H BROOKS on December 12, 2009 at 3:55 am
Great article! Noticed you are from Nanuet, NY. I grew up in Suffern, NY and got my associates degree in nursing from Rockland Community College! My very first solo patient asked my if I was gay after a few frustrating attempts to tell him I was his nurse ( I worked night shift then).
By Mark Rosenthal,RN on December 14, 2009 at 11:42 am
One truth you didn’t mention is that male typically get the heifers more often then the females. I also notice male nurses where I work seem to get more isolation patients than the female staff.
By Jerry on December 15, 2009 at 9:04 am
As a man in this profession, you are ALWAYS the first person female staff looks for when they need a lift.
By Steve on December 15, 2009 at 3:38 pm
When asked ” how long have I been a male nurse?” I have responded that I have been A nurse for 10 years but only a male for three!
By tony on December 29, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Nice article. My generic response to “are you studying to be a doctor?” is, “No, are you?”. I’ve had more patients than i can count tell me men are better nurses than women.
By Dan Wieleba on February 17, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I’m 15 and I was trying to decide if I wanted to be a nurse, and this article offered a lot of insight. I think I’m gonna go for it.
By Devin on March 9, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I have been a “male” nurse for over thirty years. For every turn that I have enjoyed male privilege I have also encountered bias, prejudice and stereotyping. For every physician that treated me different because of gender I have had another be threatened by my gender. I really don’ mind being called a male nurse because I think my gender socialization has allowed me to add something to the profession. But more importantly being able to be a caring and nurturing professional has enriched me personally beyond measure. In the issue of female patients being comfortable with my providing personal care, I have always followed the needs of the patient. When asking a colleague to meet the patients needs, I have always made sure to offer to pick up one of their tasks in exchange. When questioned about my sexual orientation, I have always responded with “what does that have to do with my work?” My humorous response to the proverbial question if I am a physician or a physician wana be has been, “don’t insult me I am good nurse.” I know I had arrived when one of my young daughters asked me, “Daddy can girls be nurses too?”
By Robert Hattle on March 18, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I noticed that all the comments here seem to be from men. I just want to say as a female nurse who works with several male nurses, how thankful I am for them. For the most part they spend less time gossiping and more time actually focusing on the patients. Wow, what a concept!!!! Also, I recently had surgery on my shoulder and I do not have all my strength back, so it is really nice to have someone who cares enough to help me out when I need it. The femles I work with begrudge me that even when I ask for the help, where the dudes offer.
Kudos to the dudes!!!!
By LaDonna on April 21, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Hi. I found this article when I was looking up stats on male nurses. I want to go to medical school, and I’m writing a thesis right now on the role of the Western medical profession in the witch-hunts. To simplify things, it basically culminated in women being forced out of all medical roles (including OB/GYN & midwifery), except nursing.
I have a friend who’s a male and just graduated nursing school, and I really like your article. Perhaps there’s a greater stigma attached to being a male nurse than a female doctor because, with the help of the feminist movements, it’s become more okay for a women to take on a “man’s” role but it’s not okay yet for a man to take on a “woman’s” role.
Even though I don’t want to admit that I think of male nurses differently than female nurses, I probably do. I was definitely one of those girls who was a little embarrassed to have a male nurse, but I hid it well. I was embarrassed because I thought he was cute, and I didn’t want him to see my underwear when he gave me a steroid shot in the hip! Of course, he didn’t because I didn’t have to get undressed.
Female nurses are viewed as analogous to mothers and sisters (or at least female friends), who we get naked in front of all the time. But we never get undressed in front of fathers, brothers, or male friends because society has told us it’s inappropriate and slutty to do so.
I think girls feel more “comfortable” with doctors because, in contrast to male nurses, we’ve been trained to view male doctors as scientific authoritarians. In fact, in the 19th and early 20th centuries we were more or less forced to accept male doctors and shun midwives due to changes in licensing laws (there was also propaganda). With male nurses, we don’t see a nurse as unquestionable and, as for the “male” part, we haven’t been taught to view them in a strictly sterile way, as with male doctors.
By the way, most girls are terrified and feel extra-awkward the first time they go to see a male gynecologist, and many of my friends have said they’d never see a male OB/GYN unless under circumstances beyond her control. So that stigma isn’t for male nurses only.
I’m not sure if what I wrote exactly makes sense, but I believe it’s true.
By Lauren on April 28, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I have been a nurse for over 15 years. I have worked in 3 different hospitals and have taught at the university level. I have long been bothered by the gender bias of the nursing culture. In social conversation male viewpoints are routinely disparaged. When interpersonal conflicts arise it is assumed that the man is guilty of whatever charge is leveled, until proven otherwise. The open gender bias of the OB nurses has already been mentioned. What is disturbing is that such bias is not only tolerated but is considered humorous and harmless.
The only place where I have felt that men where actually welcome in nursing is in my current position. I now work in the corrections medical field. This field is not for everyone. It is challenging and requires a strong willed individual. You like it or hate it. For those who like it corrections can be a challenging field with the rewards of serving an under served population and the safety of a government job where harassment or bias are not tolerated.
I still enjoy working as a nurse and I still recommend it as a career for young men. But when I do I try to give them an accurate picture of what they are getting into.
By Chapman on May 1, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Good thoughts but I was in an OB/GYN unit 31 years ago when I was a new grad. Jewish Hospital of St. Louis hired me and I even made Employee of the Month for a letter one of my labor patients wrote to the hospital CEO.
Now my son is a nurse and I could not be prouder. I wonder what his 5 year old son will be?
By Zack Rinderer on May 4, 2010 at 7:45 am
nice post! im a male nurse too. check out my nursing blog http://digitalcatharsis.wordpress.com
thanks
By nelson on June 1, 2010 at 11:19 pm
“Interestingly, being a male nurse truly gives us an advantage when dealing with most doctors. Doctors treat male nurses a bit differently than our female counterparts. I’ve seen many doctors talk to female nurses in ways they never would to a man.”
“Men also have a very different perspective than women on a lot of things, and it’s a good thing having them in the profession.”
Haha you’re fucking kidding me right?
Read a couple of gender books before you talk.
By Cecilia on June 2, 2010 at 2:46 am
I am a registered male nurse but I did not practice it after I passed the national exam. I am currently working as a computer specialist because of my gift about computers. This article gives me a lot of insight to the extent that I will go ahead submit my resignation asap and practice the profession that I had been educated and trained in college, immediately. I feel nervous excitement right now but I can do this because…I am a male nurse!!!
By callmejomals on June 12, 2010 at 4:14 am
its funny about your marine comments i am in the marine corps and i am planning on going into higher echelon nursing when i get out so that definitely made me feel better about my decision because that’s what Marines do adapt and over come
By travis on June 13, 2010 at 4:34 am
Hey Travis,
I am in the same boat as you are it appears. Currently stationed on Camp Pendleton and am getting out next year and going to school for nursing at ISU. This article was a good read and definitely found it interesting to hear him compare it to the marines. I like that thought and I can see how it applies.
By aaron on July 20, 2010 at 2:21 pm
This is a joke right?
I hate the idea of male nurses. Nursing was always a female profession for a reason…because women were kept from doing anything else other than being a secretary for a very long time.
And now, men are trying to take away the only thing people know is a woman’s job.
If you are going to be a male nurse then fine, but don’t you dare whine about being mistreated for being a male.
Nursing wasn’t made for men. Its a woman’s job and thats how it should stay.
By Louinovola on August 20, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Hi guys. This was an intteresting read for me. I count myself as very lucky, now. I am working in South Africa. Aight years in a mixed (male/female) surgical ward. No problems with males or females. Worked Six years in an Advanced Midwifery setting (Catching the little owns and High Risking the mothers). No problems. The midwives treated me as one of them and the cryed when I left. This was my best time, almost ever. However I am a Trauma and Critical Care Specialist and working in the Trauma Unit and the Criticle Care Unit boosts me every day. No time to be board or frustrated. I am having the time of my life. Ya, people that is not in the profession tend to mistake you for a docter – for me that is just a chalange to step up to the plate – and I take it in the stride. Here in South Africa we tend to refer to ourselves as Professional Nurses and thus the sexual connetation is snuffed. To show you what can be done: BSc (MedCh) 3y, BAdvanced Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Midwifery, General Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Education and Nursing Administration) 7y, MSc (Trauma) 2y and DSc (Critical Care) 2y. I have fourteen years of study and have to stand back to no docter. I have respect form my colleges and subordinets. If you think you can do it, you can. My job description is Clinicale Nursing Specialist and I am also a Lector in Critical Care, at one of our best Universities in the Free State Province, RSA. Do not let the fact that you are a man take from the fact that you are caregivers. We have more than most men will ever have, and that is to be in touch with ourselves (male and female parts). Women are in orr of us, because they do not understand how a testosterone fillled human being can do what estrogen is doing. THAT WILL BE FOREVER OUR SECRET. To all guys of my profession THANKS and be kind to yourselves.
By George Voigt on August 21, 2010 at 7:30 am