A Manly Profession Indeed

I’m not sure how to say this without coming off as sexist, so I implore you to hear this with an open mind. The small number of male nurses in my nursing school class and the ones I later worked with as an RN in the hospital were considered “token males” in a way. I can assure you that this was not intentional.

We “female nurses” actually put our male colleagues up on a pedestal of sorts. The men had a way of staying above all the politics, being everyone’s favorite co-worker, and being incredibly useful as lifting help and to help with combative patients. Again, I don’t mean to sound sexist. These were just some aspects of our working relationship, and ones that I valued.

The piece about helping with combative patients recently became debatable when ‘Statistic Canada’ reported that more male nurses (46%) than female nurses (34%) were assaulted in Canada during recent years. To be fair, the male nurses I worked with volunteered for combative patient duty as many times as they were drafted.

The difference between male nurses now and male nurses then is that they are now commonplace enough that only the media refers to them as “male nurses.” In the workplace they are nurses who are men. I’ve never heard “regular” nurses referred to as female nurses. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse.

Even with their numbers growing steadily, as of 2008 only 6% of the nursing workforce was comprised of men (American Nurses Association). At one time, it was cool for men in nursing whites to talk about their transition from working medical detail in the military to civilian life in hospitals. Others would broadcast that nursing was a stepping stone into medical school. This worked very well since many of their patients, especially the older ones, frequently thought they were doctors anyway. I’m sure those sweet little old ladies weren’t trying to be sexist either.

The current economic downturn and subsequent demand for nurses, especially RNs, has changed that. As men are being laid off from less stable careers, the stability of a career in nursing is becoming more attractive and definitely more lucrative. Myths and stereotypes aside, I would say to men considering a career in nursing that this is the best time to make the leap.

You are no longer considered a “male nurse”, you are no longer a novelty and therefore are on equal playing ground with your female counterparts. Above all, once you add the letters “RN” to your name it honestly doesn’t matter if your name is John or Joann. Just be careful of the little old lady with the left hook.