To me lack of interest in a particular field does not mean there is a barrier.
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Why aren't there more male nurses?
- Thread starter A Fish Aficionado
- Start date
Scribing would be better clinical experience than nursing for med students. Cheaper and more relevant.
Being male nurse, since it's so rare, is really opposite of gay. I know male nurse and stories I've heard....
I think this is something to it, being nurse, at least in here is pretty brutal. I mean taking care of ill people, where some of them just die, since well, that how it works on earth. Working in hospitals and stuff like that. It would be a nightmare for me.
Nurses have my utmost respect for what they do...
Might be true, but bad pay, shit you have to deal with and bad working hours are some drawbacks. If they would increase the comfort and pay for nurses they wouldn't have problems to find people wanting do to the job. =/
Sadly still the biggest part of it, which added bad pay for specific industries on top of it.
Reminds me of people making fun of me in school because I liked Biology, which is, if I remember correctly, a women dominated field at university.
Traditional gender roles, field is already heavily dominated by women which might put some men off and the fact that being a nurse really isn't all that great.
The last part comes from the perspective of my step-mother who is a nurse manager and told me a ton of stuff she'd had to deal with over the years that makes me wonder why anyone would want to do the job outside of being driven to help people.
The last part comes from the perspective of my step-mother who is a nurse manager and told me a ton of stuff she'd had to deal with over the years that makes me wonder why anyone would want to do the job outside of being driven to help people.
The bad pay responses are surprising. I thought they got paid alot. But looking at it further its only california nurses that get paid well.
Anyways my friend is a male nurse. The female nurses depend on him to handle patients that are a bit.. rapey..
Edit: People saying 'gender roles.' Its important to know why.
This is the main reason.
Anyways my friend is a male nurse. The female nurses depend on him to handle patients that are a bit.. rapey..
Edit: People saying 'gender roles.' Its important to know why.
This is the main reason.
After WW1 is when it really became female oriented.
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Gender roles.
More specifically, imo, the fact you need a certain mindset to be any kind of care worker. It's tough work, it can take a toll, but most importantly every person I know who works in care does it because they want to help people. They care.
And this last part is ingrained in gender roles: women are the care givers, men are the foragers. I'd imagine many more men would consider these roles if there wasn't social stigma from the toxic male parts of the gender role divide.
Gender lines continue to blur/expand, though, so I'd imagine in the future this will be far less of an issue.
Anecdotes.
Here's another: I've been in hospital as an in patient for a week or more 5 times in the last 5 years. I've also been in and out as an out patient too many times to count.
Male Nurses in the UK are far rarer than female, they're there but on every ward I've been on I'd see 1-2 guys maybe, and dozens of female nurses.
Also, I've worked in care a few times in my life, and I was usually the only male in my department.
My experience, of course, but I'm pretty sure if there's data on this it would back this up.
More specifically, imo, the fact you need a certain mindset to be any kind of care worker. It's tough work, it can take a toll, but most importantly every person I know who works in care does it because they want to help people. They care.
And this last part is ingrained in gender roles: women are the care givers, men are the foragers. I'd imagine many more men would consider these roles if there wasn't social stigma from the toxic male parts of the gender role divide.
Gender lines continue to blur/expand, though, so I'd imagine in the future this will be far less of an issue.
Anecdotes.
Here's another: I've been in hospital as an in patient for a week or more 5 times in the last 5 years. I've also been in and out as an out patient too many times to count.
Male Nurses in the UK are far rarer than female, they're there but on every ward I've been on I'd see 1-2 guys maybe, and dozens of female nurses.
Also, I've worked in care a few times in my life, and I was usually the only male in my department.
My experience, of course, but I'm pretty sure if there's data on this it would back this up.
Because it's a fast pace, physically demanding job with long hours all for low pay. Which is why I ended up leaving as I just couldn't cope with it.
Actually I didn't mind doing it, it was my ex-boss who had the problem for some daft reason.
Actually I didn't mind doing it, it was my ex-boss who had the problem for some daft reason.
I'm a nurse, and I'm a man.
I work in a hospital in Aus.
Generally men in nursing tend to gravitate to places like ED, ICU, or Surgical wards.
Nursing is hugely cliquey... and men tend to not be involved with that (or the gossip, which is one of the reasons they're so liked by female staff... heavy lifting is another).
At uni, myself and the other male students were pulled aside for a quick word with one of the lecturers.
In that conversation, all niceties were dropped, all smiles were gone... we were told that a male nurse has to protect himself at all times. All times. A patient only has to accuse you of inappropriate behaviour once... and that nurse is under a cloud for the rest of their career.
That's a hard damn road man...
I work in a hospital in Aus.
Generally men in nursing tend to gravitate to places like ED, ICU, or Surgical wards.
Nursing is hugely cliquey... and men tend to not be involved with that (or the gossip, which is one of the reasons they're so liked by female staff... heavy lifting is another).
At uni, myself and the other male students were pulled aside for a quick word with one of the lecturers.
In that conversation, all niceties were dropped, all smiles were gone... we were told that a male nurse has to protect himself at all times. All times. A patient only has to accuse you of inappropriate behaviour once... and that nurse is under a cloud for the rest of their career.
That's a hard damn road man...
I dont get this bad pay crap... Nurses make about 65k a year and charge nurse can make 85-90k a year. Two of my nursing supervisors work 16 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday and then are off the whole week. Some are are 7-3 M-F... I don't get where this bad pay and bad hours comes from. You also have the choice to be pull, where you can CHOOSE what days and hours you want to work. I was worried about being a nurse, but majority of the time I seem to get respect for it. Don't let someone tell you you can't do something because of your gender, do what you love.
You're not reading what I wrote. There is no proof yet that this isn't because of socialisation/discrimination or just lack of interest. Complete freedom may mean that genders gravitate towards certain jobs, but we're not even in the ballpark to say that yet.
I believe it. It's similar to why you wouldn't see a lot of male teachers in the day care/pre-school to Grade 3 years in school.
No you get cock blocked by doctors who make 3 times your salary.
Nursing is a very good career in the US. It pays well for the level of training and education. Some nurses make 100k+. There are also excellent retraining opportunities later in your career, from specialization to becoming a nurse practicioner.
The only real drawback is the "nursing is for women" mindset and that's changing.
The only real drawback is the "nursing is for women" mindset and that's changing.
whoever is saying low pay, low respect has no clue
starting pay at hospitals here (LI NY) in ER/OR nursing is 90k
and nurses are the top most trusted and respect positions in any career
also the schedule is pretty sweet
3 X 12
3 X 12
3 X 12
4 X 12
starting pay at hospitals here (LI NY) in ER/OR nursing is 90k
and nurses are the top most trusted and respect positions in any career
also the schedule is pretty sweet
3 X 12
3 X 12
3 X 12
4 X 12
Went to HS and ran track with a cool dude that ended up being a male nurse. He wins tons of awards every year for his talents. Dude is a super nice guy and was always a hard worker.
You have to have certain levels of empathy to be a great nurse, which many males I know do not possess.
You have to have certain levels of empathy to be a great nurse, which many males I know do not possess.
Social stigma?
I have so much respect for nurses, they're the strongest people I know, but it's still, for whatever reason, seen as a girl's job.
I have so much respect for nurses, they're the strongest people I know, but it's still, for whatever reason, seen as a girl's job.
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Some male patients are homophobes who do not want to be cared for by another man.
Even more than nurses why are there not more male dental hygienists?
Even more than nurses why are there not more male dental hygienists?
Whoever is saying low pay, bad hours, no social prestige has no idea what they are talking about. These are the three pros of a nursing career.
You can make 100k a year if you are willing to work overtime. Lots of private surgery centers will pay you a ludicrous amount for very easy work. The hours are extremely flexible - you can literally pick your own hours. 36 hours is full time with full benefits. 4 days off a week is quite a luxury in the states. I get more PTO than I know what to do with it. And If I'm ever hospitalized it is 100% covered.
Regarding prestige, it really doesn't get better for a bachelor's degree. I get a tremendous amount of respect and reverence for what I do, from literally everyone. If anything, male nurses get more respect for the same work (fucked up)
There is nothing feminine about nursing. If anything you could make the argument that nursing is more of a "man's" job nowadays. Extremely physical. Which is why women and physicians really appreciate our presence. In fact many women end up with chronic injuries which is quite sad. I work with a girl who needs hip replacement at just above 30 yrs of age. Work related injuries are way more common than people think.
The only "sexism" I've ever experienced is older women who feel uncomfortable with men helping them with their needs, which is just the cutest
You can make 100k a year if you are willing to work overtime. Lots of private surgery centers will pay you a ludicrous amount for very easy work. The hours are extremely flexible - you can literally pick your own hours. 36 hours is full time with full benefits. 4 days off a week is quite a luxury in the states. I get more PTO than I know what to do with it. And If I'm ever hospitalized it is 100% covered.
Regarding prestige, it really doesn't get better for a bachelor's degree. I get a tremendous amount of respect and reverence for what I do, from literally everyone. If anything, male nurses get more respect for the same work (fucked up)
There is nothing feminine about nursing. If anything you could make the argument that nursing is more of a "man's" job nowadays. Extremely physical. Which is why women and physicians really appreciate our presence. In fact many women end up with chronic injuries which is quite sad. I work with a girl who needs hip replacement at just above 30 yrs of age. Work related injuries are way more common than people think.
The only "sexism" I've ever experienced is older women who feel uncomfortable with men helping them with their needs, which is just the cutest
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The pay is amazing! what world do you live in where making close to triple figures is low pay? because i gotta tell ya i'd love to live there
The people talking about bad pay for nurses are largely from the UK, where the situation is wildly different. Their opinions regarding it have virtually nothing to do with nursing in the U.S.
I'd say it's much more frequently the other way around, with some female patients not wanting certain procedures to be performed by a man, and some male patients not wanting certain procedures to be performed by a woman. Especially amongst older patients.
Ok? You didn't respond to what I said.
I work with nurses who used to do clinical work. Having one parent tied to crazy schedules is tough. Someone's got to make lunches and take them to school or work at home when they're sick.
A country where you don't earn close to triple figures
https://www.resetera.com/posts/9575328/
You might have big salaries in a country with a privatized healthcare industry, but that often comes off the backs of the patients being charged stupid amounts of money for healthcare. I guess there is a balance between being humane with healthcare and fuck you I got mine (a big fat salary).
UK salaries could still be a bit better, but our current Government doesn't want to put in enough of the taxpayer money to keep investing strongly in the NHS. They'd prefer the longterm goal to be turning the UK into a mini-America. Yay!
I have never experienced this, nor have any of my male peers.
It is, but slowly. In my class of like 110 nurses about 15 of us were men. This ratio tended to hold out through most of my career thus far over 5 years, 10+:1 female to male. In my current job across four clinics and dozens of nurses I am only one of two men!
Everything about this is wrong. Nurses make at worst a living wage, and at best they can rake it in especially if they're doing travel nursing.
Hours depend where you work. I did straight nights, 12 hour shifts, three nights a week for five years. Now I work Monday through Thursday 730AM-530PM.
No social prestige? I've felt fairly respected among my friends and family for the work I do.
Not in the UK
Yikes.. it's much higher in Canada and I still don't think they get enough personally. It's about $60-70k starting out for full time hours in Newfoundland.
Seems this topics replies will be heavily influenced on geography. However, as I alluded to above I'd expect many talking about near 3 figure salaries will be in countries with privatized healthcare. More money gets pumped into that as well as ludicrous profiteering off medication/surgery.
As far as I'm aware Canada is fully socialised healthcare, so, as I also said above UK salaries could be better within reason. Our current and long-running Government, with Jeremy Hunt leading the NHS, do not have the same long-term goals for the NHS as many in the country. Privatization is the key for the rich to get richer out of healthcare.
Currently dating a nurse and can confirm this.
Sometimes her work stress and how emotionally straining it can be feels like a 3rd person in the relationship.
Good thing I'm a great listener.
Nursing in the United States is treated in much higher regard than the the rest of the world
We get paid way more than other countries do and have much better career advancement opportunities, make or female
We get paid way more than other countries do and have much better career advancement opportunities, make or female
American society dictates that nurses are for females. It's the same reason most teachers, librarians, cooks, etc are predominately female. If you want more men to become these roles you need to first change your society's views on what acceptable genders are for those jobs.
Spoiler, society will always lean one way or another on these topics. Humans like preconceived structure.
Spoiler, society will always lean one way or another on these topics. Humans like preconceived structure.
My mom was a nurse so how I see it is colored through the lens of what I know about her job while growing up. Terrible hours. Hard work that can be super mentally/emotionally taxing. Not great pay. Amazing job security though. Any time my mom left working one place, she'd have a new job in days.
My wife is a Charge Nurse in a MedSurg floor doing night shifts, plus 3 of my brothers are nurses and one of them is Director of Nursing in a facility. Fresh grads start at $25/hr base but differentials make them hit $67k a year easily in a state with a lower cost of living. Overtime pay is +50% of base, plus all differentials are additive and you get a pension after at least 5 years of working. Clinics, senior care, and hospital systems are offering signing bonuses of $20k, plus relocation assistance. Travel nurses start at $45/hr. Float nurses start at 40. Choosing the "weekend-only" option where you have to work Friday-Saturday-Sunday every week is an automatic +$10/hr, regardless of your current base pay (which is huge for a fresh graduate).
My wife has peers that have lower base pay than her that make triple what she makes per year because they are always working extra shifts and weekends. TRIPLE aka $200,000+ yearly. Very few other industries allow you to choose to do paid over time at your convenience and then get paid +50% base, +5$/hr for night shift, +3$/hr for critical staffing, +$4/hr for weekend shift, etc. Her co-workers have multiple houses, pay their kids' college tuition in cash, buy all their luxury SUVs in cash, and save well for early retirement.
I really suggest that guys look into nursing as a career option. My wife says the figures for their hospital are officially under 5% male and you will be a highly valued resource whose career will skyrocket past your female peers if you are willing to grab one of the many opportunities that will be presented to you on a silver platter. Also male nurses get to work in a female-dominated workforce that is increasingly younger every year. Even the male techs are getting tons of action. I have relatives that are male nursing assistants that have multiple girlfriends and flings, often in the same hospital too(much to their wives' and kids' dismay). Doctors are less desirable for your female nurse coworkers and they have more student debt anyway.
Plus you have a ton of advancement options for your career that offer alternatives to bedside care.
My wife has peers that have lower base pay than her that make triple what she makes per year because they are always working extra shifts and weekends. TRIPLE aka $200,000+ yearly. Very few other industries allow you to choose to do paid over time at your convenience and then get paid +50% base, +5$/hr for night shift, +3$/hr for critical staffing, +$4/hr for weekend shift, etc. Her co-workers have multiple houses, pay their kids' college tuition in cash, buy all their luxury SUVs in cash, and save well for early retirement.
I really suggest that guys look into nursing as a career option. My wife says the figures for their hospital are officially under 5% male and you will be a highly valued resource whose career will skyrocket past your female peers if you are willing to grab one of the many opportunities that will be presented to you on a silver platter. Also male nurses get to work in a female-dominated workforce that is increasingly younger every year. Even the male techs are getting tons of action. I have relatives that are male nursing assistants that have multiple girlfriends and flings, often in the same hospital too(much to their wives' and kids' dismay). Doctors are less desirable for your female nurse coworkers and they have more student debt anyway.
Plus you have a ton of advancement options for your career that offer alternatives to bedside care.
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I'm sure that's a thing also. I just have anecdotal evidence from my brother who is a nurse and has had men balk when they see that he'll be taking care of them.
It's quite literally a gender perception. There is zero respect for male nurses (and female nurses are already sexualized to the point where it negatively affects peoples perception of them.)
I think this is an especially huge issue in places like West Virginia. At least in Virginia I've seen a decent amount of male nurses.
I think this is an especially huge issue in places like West Virginia. At least in Virginia I've seen a decent amount of male nurses.
There is nothing inherently causing men to not be interested in this field.
I'm trying. They're very selective.
If I do well on my prerequisites while at college here in NY they may accept me into the program.
If I don't get in I'm pretty much fubared as I'm trapped in a restaurant industry that has driven me twice to suicide attempts. I'll also be working while attending school.
I would love to help people going through what I have gone through, all while actually being paid a livable wage in NY.
If I do well on my prerequisites while at college here in NY they may accept me into the program.
If I don't get in I'm pretty much fubared as I'm trapped in a restaurant industry that has driven me twice to suicide attempts. I'll also be working while attending school.
I would love to help people going through what I have gone through, all while actually being paid a livable wage in NY.
I empathize. I had a hell of a time getting into nursing school. Best of luck to you!
