How About Male Nurses?

Yes! People do make a career out of being a nanny. Just like some people make a career out of being a waitperson, or retail person, or...

There are more men in these jobs now because it's more accepted for them to do it. They may have wanted to before, but society had a hang up, same as they did for women firefighters, police, etc. I think it's great :)

My stepfather has been a nurse for over 30 years. He was a medic in the army, and decided that he wanted to help people, and make a difference. It doesn't matter if they are male or female, as long as they are good at what they do, and have a desire for it.

For me personally there isn't a female/ male job anymore...

Why do men become manny's, nurses, chef, work in laundry rooms ( in the hotel I worked at it was all men then myself), beauticians, servers etc... because they want to and love what they do!

Why do women become carpenters, roofers, mechanics, drive trucks, fire fighter etc... because they want to and love what they do!

Do I think there is anything sinister underlying any job that either gender does? I doubt I it, its about what they love doing in thier heart. Sure money may play a part in it, but I think its about what they like doing.

I had a male ob/gyn from the time I was 16 until he retired last year. He was the best around! I also had a male student nurse who was in the ob/gyn during my entire first pregnancy and there during my delivery. It wasn't nothing sexual and he was WAY more gentle than the females where honestly.

We've seen a lot of "male nurses" over the years. In the military, you're going to find more men in the position of Corpman than females. That's Navy and they're attached to Marine Corps units and the Marines call them "doc". They're the first line of defense in combat before the wounded make it to a field hospital. They get most of their training in military hospitals so my family is used to seeing "male nurses" for drawing blood, working in clinics and such.

To me, asking why a man would be a nurse is like asking why a woman would become a doctor.... because they can.

Men want to be in the medical field and there's varying degrees and types of "nursing" you can do. They may not be able to afford or have time to become a doctor or anything inbetween. The "nursing" field is an open now as the doctoring field. The pay is decent to start and there's many different directions you can go once you get started, and where ever you go there's always going to be a hospital or clinic somewhere.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

As an RN, I don't think that people realize how the profession has evolved over the years. No longer is it just passing out pills and giving bed baths. There are many different areas that nurses can practice, from in the military, OR, ER, doctor's office, school, ICU, OB ward, etc. There is no reason why a male cannot do the job very well. After getting your RN you can also go on to do many other things, like a nurse practitioner that basically in some areas does many things a primary care physician does, a nurse anesthetist, that does the same thing as an anesthesiologist under his supervision, as well as a college professor among other things. People really need to wipe the picture of the nurse in her white dress and cap out of their minds these days. And as for being upset that a man is coming in to see you in the hospital, well, most don't object when the male doctor comes in and checks you in the same way.

You know what? When I'm a hot mess and had to get dragged to the ER for a severe anxiety attack or panic attack and the *cutest* male nurse walks in, and listens, and is kind, and does his job... AND is easy on the eyes...

...I'm not going to knock that. Heck no!

Why do you think 99% of guys take home ec in high school? To meet women, of course ;)

BUT, I also feel like it's more PC for guys (and gals!) to follow and do what they're passionate about. If it happens to be nursing, fine by me!

it makes me nuts that people ascribe nefarious motives to men doing 'women's work.' nurturing is not the sole province of women any more than cerebral professions belong just to men.
gah!!!!
khairete
S.

I think part of the issue here is that nursing was ever categorized as a woman's profession. To achieve a BSN, a student must essentially be pre-med. There is nothing sterotypically "feminine" about a pre-med curriculum.

This doesn't answer your exact question but it's in the neighborhood of the topic, so here's my thoughts on the whole thing:

I think it's another example of how if a girl wants to do something it's not as taboo as a guy. If a girl wants to be a cop or if a little girl wants a truck it's not a big deal. If a guy wants to be a nanny/nurse or a little boy wants a doll it's a HUGE deal. It becomes a slam on how big of a man they are. Why would they do this? Are they gay etc?

I would have no problem with a male nurse of hiring a manny. I don't care if my son wants to play with a doll or GI Joe. But it is hard to fight those barriers. I guess it will always be something.

I have a wonderful friend who became a nurse and he is absolutely THE best at what he does! He is in the right profession for him and it fits him to a "T". I am tired of all the gender roles and stereotypes. Why is it wierd to have a male nurse? It's not. America is just not used to it yet. But in time, I believe that people will come around. The same goes for mannies, and women being in aerospace or engineering. And yes, people do make careers out of being nannies etc.

That's almost like asking why a male OB? Or why a male neonatologist? Is it less manly to work with women? Or the very frail? My friend is a nurse because he likes caring for people but didn't want to be on the roads like a firefighter EMT. He's also not a fan of fire.

My cousin wants to be a nurse because his mom was, he likes caring for people, but doesn't want to be a doctor at this point. He's thinking he might want to focus on pediatrics. He likes kids. I think he'll be very good at it. He's quiet and calm and patient.

Not everybody wants to be a doctor for various reasons. If my other cousin (a woman) can be a carpenter, then why not R be a nurse? I'm all for him doing something he's good at.

But I also think the nature of the jobs is different. Even our pediatrician will tell DD that no one is to touch her in her private areas without Mom or Dad there. She's a woman and she is still not alone with our child or alone with DD in a non-medical, day to day setting.

The men I know who became nurses did so for the same reasons as the women I know who became nurses - interest in medicine, and a desire to help people.

i only care when it involves my vagina or bladder. Those procedures are embarrassing enough without having the male nurse involved.

Speaking of.....How about that hottie male nurse on Greys that is romancing Bailey. Ayyyiyyiii he's beautiful.

The nursing industry has also recognised the need for males because of heavy lifting requirements for some tasks.

When I was in the hospital ICU, I had great male nurses.

They were helpful, knowledgable, attentive & caring.

As far as having a nanny for my child, I don't think I would feel comfortable having a male. Having said that, I am not naive enough to think that there are female nannies that have problems. I've seen the footage on the news. So having said that.....I sadly would not feel comfortable having a nanny. Period.

Quite different professions, don't you think?
Manny- Access to one child (or set of children) full time, in a close situation, with availability to become close and trusted, and see the children in potentially vulnerable situations. Being a caretaker and nurturer.
Nurse- Health care professional. Access to people of all gender and ages. Very little access to anyone alone. No chance to become a trusted friend or part of the family. Fixing wounds, taking care of someone medically, not responsible for day to day activities. No real opporutinies for complete alone and vulnerable experiences with one person. Most likely interested in the medical field only, and not looking to take care of one age group of people. Nurses "take care of" in a setting in which it's very rare to have any kind of alone contact, or prolonged alone contact with a patient.

BIG difference in my opinion. Also, babysitting is VERY different then being a grown man who seeks out a job to watch young children all day, every day...or most days. Liking and being good with children and earning money, is different then wanting to be caretakers of children full time, and making that a career.

The BIGGEST difference is one would have hours and hours of alone time with my child, and my child would be a blip on the rotation of another. In prolonged care of someone staying in a hospital there would also be other nurses, doctors, hospital staff and family around at any time. Not so, with a nanny.

ETA:
For the record, my son has a doll, play kitchen, and play with or be whatever he wants. However I am a PARENT to him, so I make choices to protect him. I'm not comfortable with a manny, so I wouldn't hire him. I'm not comfortable with a 13 year old girl watching him either, so I don't hire her. I'm not comfortable picking up a hitchhiker, so I don't pick them up. It's all about calculating the risk. A much higher risk of a Manny hurting my child then a nanny (this proven by crime statistics and criminal reports), so I hire a nanny.

A lot of men are also nurses as they are continuing their education to become doctors, nurse anesthetists...I've known quite a few male nurses pursuing their educatoin, and some are just fine with where they are. One of them was quite 'flowery' and came on to my dad when he was undergoing chemo, but most of them were pretty awesome.

I'm the one who made the comment and I don't have an issue with male nurses, and am strongly encouraging my nephew to go into nursing (fyi the same nephew who babysat for me and did such a crappy job i found him asleep on the sofa while my daughter took a pen to the same sofa). That said, I do have a preference for a female nurse the way I have a preference for a female OBGYN, but I think its a great field for a man and don't see any reason why it was ever female dominated, same with teaching. I really think you're comparing apples to oranges here. I think a better choice of wording on my part (in regards to the nanny/ manny question) was not that its female dominated, but that the skills required are ones that females are known to pocess innately. Yes, I think men and woman are different, I've seen my little girls play with dolls, and I've seen how little boys play and I'm very comfortable with that statement. Just because I personally wouldn't be comfortable with a male nanny does not mean I have an issue with male nurses or teachers in general.
The initial question you piggy backed from was not about starting up gender roll issues, it was a business person who wanted to be realistic about hiring men as nannys. I think male nannies would be in the same unfoutante category as male message therapists: most females want a female therapist, most males want a female thereapit, and some women who want male therapists have creepy motives. That information was given to me from my message therapist. So, it turns out, its really a crummy profession for a man for lack of demand. I think the same would be true of male nannys. But if its some man's dream to nanny, by all means he should be a nanny/ manny. I don't think male nurses struggle to find jobs, so again, I think you are comparing apples to oranges.

I think the kids from parents who lived through the 60's and 70s' are more aware of themselves. We're more willing to look deeply at our selves and be honest about who we are and what we want and don't want. I have no problem with males in typical "female" occupations. If they have the passion and honest love for others, more power to them. Same with women in traditional "male" roles if they can do it, if they have a love for it, then go for it. Don't let anyone tell you "no".

Hi Mama. Yes, being a Nanny IS a career choice for some. And sometimes it is a college or even hs student working until they finish school. I run a daycare and really cringe when someone calls me a babysitter! Sadly, my daughter, who does babysit, makes more per hour per child than I do sometimes...and I am a trained professional! LOL... but, she is a "convenience babysitter" for short periods, so it all works out!

As to male nurses...when I was 16 and in the hospital 3 hours from home w/ a broken neck (not paralyzed) my first night there, I was in traction, in my stupid hospital gown, unable to move at all, and started getting really sick to my stomach and throwing up (from the pressure on my brain stem and spinal cord), but had to be rolled, and still had to be changed and have my sheets changed...and lo and behold...I had a male nurse that night! (thank God for my mom also being there!)

He was professional and did his job! I say, as long as a nurse, nanny, or anyone who has to deal w/ people on a personal level, has a professional attitude, is in it for the right reasons and doesn't do anything in appropriate, why not??

I agree w/ you...the opportunities are there and the money is generally good! More power to em!

Have a good weekend!

I recently had some very scary health problems (and almost died at the ripe old age of 36). I spent lots of time in the hospital last month and I had many many nurses during my time there. My favorite nurse of all was a male nurse. He was kind, patient, and quick to respond to the call button unlike the older female nurses who would respond 25-40 minutes after you hit the button! He told me he became a nurse because the pay was good, he could find a job in any state and he loved helping people. He was also very handsome lol. Good for him and all male nurses out there!

i think everyones right about how its more accepted now but i also think its because (so iv heard) nursing jobs are where its at right now.. its a growing feild with tons of employment opportunities lots of places are looking for nurses

There are some awesome male nurses out there. I have had several over the years going through my own cancer battles. I didn't think anything of it while they were marking up my body for my radiation treatment and making my body cast. When the treatment was completed it was a bittersweet end and I felt like I lost my best friends.

Hubby has had a few characters for nurses that are male for his chemo treatments. They do laugh and joke with him and the other patients and make things a bit light when tension is high.

No one ever thinks about the softer gentler side of the male but boy they are great. My son is also a sensitive person and wears his feelings on his sleeves quite a bit and so does my grandson. There is nothing dainty about these men they just chose to go a different route for income and are proud of the work that they do.

As some have said many of them were medics in the military that decided to continue on and become nurses. Besides the hours can be long or short depending on where you work in the hospital. Some have weekends off.

To all nurses male and female!!

The other S.

I have two males in my family that are nurses. My Uncle worked as a laborer of some sort in a Steel Mill and was layed off back in late 80s. He went back to school for nursing ...his number one reason was job security and the pay is decent. He is an RN and really likes it and he seems to have a better bed side manner with his patients than his family :-) A second cousin just became a male nurse. He was always interested in medical profession but is not cut out to be a Dr. He really is drawn to the patient care aspects,..he likes helping.

i was friends with a guy who is an er nurse, i would trust him with my kid if need be

My ex is an RN. He's done very well with it, and it's helped pay the child support. I personally would much prefer a female nurse, but I don't have a problem with a man being a nurse. Just not my ex being MY nurse, ha ha!

I have had one male nurse in my lifetime and he sucked...said the only reason he went to school to be one was for the pay...Not saying they all sucked but I hated having this guy as my nurse it was my longest 12 hours in IMC ever!

I've no problem with male nurses. Our pediatrician's nurse is male and he's great... However, he is never alone with my kids.

I have 4 nurses in my family and two of them are my nephews. Their mom was a nurse, so they followed in her foot steps. There are many nursing jobs out there nowadays, so the guys have to go where they will get a job.

I have no problem with male nurses. I have had many in the ER and some when I had been admitted to the hospital. There was only one that I did not like and he was a jurk but I have a lot of female nurses that made me mad.

Because they are paid more than females and they get full rides for being the "minority" in their college classes.
My cousin is a male nurse and got a free rode from Diuke. And he was the first employed out of his class.
Not bad if you ask me.
My youngest son could be a nurse, he is very caring. It wouldnt' surprise me one bit

Hubby recently spent a lot of time in the hosp. He had a male nursing student, and a male CNA that were both wonderful. Nursing is hard work, but it is a good paying (including benefits) respectable job with flexible hours.

Nanny as a career - absolutely. The nanny we had for our kids, was my husband's nanny when he was growing up. She's worked for the family for over 40 years.