5 answers
wiliams
Student
Alaska, MI
1
Question
Asked
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why is it wrong or weird for a male to become a nurse and not a doctor ?
i have always wanted to be a nurse but my friends always make jest of me thinking and telling me that it is weird for a male to be a nurse
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1746
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Williams !
I am glad that you've come here to ask about something that is concerning you. I am happy to give you my take on this and provide some advice for you.
Sometimes, people have such a lack of understanding. It is absolutely not weird or wrong to be a nurse if you are male and it is a much needed career and millions of guys are nurses, so ignore the naysayers or rude comments and follow your plans for a career as a nurse. It is probably one of the most admirable, appreciated and satisfying roles that one can go into.
I have known some male nurses and have seen how happy and successful they are. Start looking into this career now and surround yourself with supportive people. People that are negative have no idea of what nursing is or what it's about, so it's no use to even mention it to those negative people. There are going to be many, many, many people who are so happy that you are a nurse - those people are your future patients, and that's what really matters.
Another thing that some negative people do not know is that there is a great need for male nurses. Some male patients outright request a male nurse, especially for home care and they appreciate a male nurse while in a nursing home. They just feel more comfortable with care from a fellow male. When I was a case manager, sometimes I would set up home care for my clients and when I would request a male for a male client, they would always say they didn't have one. There was, however, at that time, just one male and he got all the fellow-male patients and was always busy. Going into nursing as a male, you are going to make a lot of people happy.
So, your friends are saying negative things because they just do not know or grasp that nursing is not gender based, it's a hugely valued skill and profession that they would themselves not even be able to manage doing. Do not let anyone discourage you because once you start nursing school, you are going to see all the greatness that you will accomplish.
Best wishes to you and do not give up on this dream career !
I am glad that you've come here to ask about something that is concerning you. I am happy to give you my take on this and provide some advice for you.
Sometimes, people have such a lack of understanding. It is absolutely not weird or wrong to be a nurse if you are male and it is a much needed career and millions of guys are nurses, so ignore the naysayers or rude comments and follow your plans for a career as a nurse. It is probably one of the most admirable, appreciated and satisfying roles that one can go into.
I have known some male nurses and have seen how happy and successful they are. Start looking into this career now and surround yourself with supportive people. People that are negative have no idea of what nursing is or what it's about, so it's no use to even mention it to those negative people. There are going to be many, many, many people who are so happy that you are a nurse - those people are your future patients, and that's what really matters.
Another thing that some negative people do not know is that there is a great need for male nurses. Some male patients outright request a male nurse, especially for home care and they appreciate a male nurse while in a nursing home. They just feel more comfortable with care from a fellow male. When I was a case manager, sometimes I would set up home care for my clients and when I would request a male for a male client, they would always say they didn't have one. There was, however, at that time, just one male and he got all the fellow-male patients and was always busy. Going into nursing as a male, you are going to make a lot of people happy.
So, your friends are saying negative things because they just do not know or grasp that nursing is not gender based, it's a hugely valued skill and profession that they would themselves not even be able to manage doing. Do not let anyone discourage you because once you start nursing school, you are going to see all the greatness that you will accomplish.
Best wishes to you and do not give up on this dream career !
Nina Martinez
B.S. in Neuroscience | Medical Scribe at Endeavor Health
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Nina’s Answer
Hi Williams,
I want to reassure you that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue a career as a doctor, nurse, or any other profession they are passionate about. Both men and women have the opportunity to excel in these fields, and gender should never be a barrier to following your dreams.
What’s important is finding what you’re passionate about and working towards it with dedication and enthusiasm. If you have any questions about career paths or need advice on how to achieve your goals, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Believe in yourself and go after what you truly want. You have every chance to succeed!
Warm regards,
Nina Martinez
I want to reassure you that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue a career as a doctor, nurse, or any other profession they are passionate about. Both men and women have the opportunity to excel in these fields, and gender should never be a barrier to following your dreams.
What’s important is finding what you’re passionate about and working towards it with dedication and enthusiasm. If you have any questions about career paths or need advice on how to achieve your goals, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Believe in yourself and go after what you truly want. You have every chance to succeed!
Warm regards,
Nina Martinez
Emily Mott
Graphic Designer & Marketing Specialist
5
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Williams,
First of all, I'm excited to hear you may have found your career path! Nursing is very rewarding. :)
Unfortunately, several careers still hold gender stereotypes. These stereotypes come from a combination of factors such as women originally not being allowed to have jobs, society deeming certain traits masculine or feminine, and lack of educational opportunities.
Originally, nurses were expected to be female because nursing was one of very few careers available to women. In the modern-day, anyone can and should be a nurse, if your passion leads you to it! As other answers have mentioned, the U.S. has a dire need for more male representation in nursing. Oftentimes, male patients will feel more comfortable in certain situations if a male nurse is present. There is also a misconception that becoming a nurse is "easier" and that's why women are nurses and men are doctors. In reality, it's more about how one wants to interact with their patients, time commitment, and more. I have several friends in the medical field, including several women doctors and several male nurses!
I encourage you to pursue what you feel called to, regardless of what friends or peers might ignorantly say about it. Nurses are some of our most crucial members of society. It takes great skill, compassion, and inner strength to serve people in such a way. I hope you can continue to fuel your interest in nursing, every time we see a male nurse or a female doctor in the medical field we are a step closer to achieving proper job equality. Best of luck!!
First of all, I'm excited to hear you may have found your career path! Nursing is very rewarding. :)
Unfortunately, several careers still hold gender stereotypes. These stereotypes come from a combination of factors such as women originally not being allowed to have jobs, society deeming certain traits masculine or feminine, and lack of educational opportunities.
Originally, nurses were expected to be female because nursing was one of very few careers available to women. In the modern-day, anyone can and should be a nurse, if your passion leads you to it! As other answers have mentioned, the U.S. has a dire need for more male representation in nursing. Oftentimes, male patients will feel more comfortable in certain situations if a male nurse is present. There is also a misconception that becoming a nurse is "easier" and that's why women are nurses and men are doctors. In reality, it's more about how one wants to interact with their patients, time commitment, and more. I have several friends in the medical field, including several women doctors and several male nurses!
I encourage you to pursue what you feel called to, regardless of what friends or peers might ignorantly say about it. Nurses are some of our most crucial members of society. It takes great skill, compassion, and inner strength to serve people in such a way. I hope you can continue to fuel your interest in nursing, every time we see a male nurse or a female doctor in the medical field we are a step closer to achieving proper job equality. Best of luck!!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1716
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Williams,
You do you!!! Everything else I could say about the naysayers is inappropriate for this page - Michelle said it best!
My Dad, 90 years old, has an aide come to the house 3 times a week to give him a shower. He requested a male. He got a female. Honestly, if it was reversed, and a male was giving me showers, I would skip the showers and just use wipes!
When my Dad went into teaching, against my advice, he went into 5th grade. Once he found out why I had advised against it, he asked for a transfer to an open 4th grade position. "Oh no sir! we need a MAN in 5th grade."
Me? I became a cop. 40 years ago. Very few female cops then. The way I see it, we are all a team. We each bring individual life experiences, education, and training to the team. We had cops who were truckers, electricians, ranchers, computer nerds, etc. I was the go-to person for help with report writing and mental illness cases.
Why is it considered weird for males to enter nursing but not to become doctors? Because doctors require more education and training, and are perceived as making the "more complex" decisions - stereotypically "man's" work. And nursing is perceived as compassionate caregiving, as is teaching - all stereotypically "women's work." But, stereotypes are overbroad generalizations. If the teasing from your friends is too much, find new friends. If it is normal banter, and you hurl a few choice comments back, that's okay. It all depends on what it is doing to you, psychologically. Guys tend to joke and tease quite a bit, so you need to be the judge of what to do. But, please don't abandon your dreams because of them - that is definitely not okay!
Kim
You do you!!! Everything else I could say about the naysayers is inappropriate for this page - Michelle said it best!
My Dad, 90 years old, has an aide come to the house 3 times a week to give him a shower. He requested a male. He got a female. Honestly, if it was reversed, and a male was giving me showers, I would skip the showers and just use wipes!
When my Dad went into teaching, against my advice, he went into 5th grade. Once he found out why I had advised against it, he asked for a transfer to an open 4th grade position. "Oh no sir! we need a MAN in 5th grade."
Me? I became a cop. 40 years ago. Very few female cops then. The way I see it, we are all a team. We each bring individual life experiences, education, and training to the team. We had cops who were truckers, electricians, ranchers, computer nerds, etc. I was the go-to person for help with report writing and mental illness cases.
Why is it considered weird for males to enter nursing but not to become doctors? Because doctors require more education and training, and are perceived as making the "more complex" decisions - stereotypically "man's" work. And nursing is perceived as compassionate caregiving, as is teaching - all stereotypically "women's work." But, stereotypes are overbroad generalizations. If the teasing from your friends is too much, find new friends. If it is normal banter, and you hurl a few choice comments back, that's okay. It all depends on what it is doing to you, psychologically. Guys tend to joke and tease quite a bit, so you need to be the judge of what to do. But, please don't abandon your dreams because of them - that is definitely not okay!
Kim
Bailey RN, BSN, CCRN-CMC
Registered Nurse
68
Answers
Updated
Bailey’s Answer
I am a nurse and my husband is a nurse. There is nothing wrong with males being in nursing. There is a high demand for them, especially in the emergency room since patients tend to be more aggressive. I work with a bunch of male nurses. Being a nurse is a great career. I say go for it!