Comments on: Ramblings of a Male Nurse (Yes I’m a Murse)

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:57:19 +0000

@ Lavoy Thanks for visiting my blog and the comment. I agree. It’s a double edged sword and I’m diving into the battle head first.

By: Lavoy

Lavoy — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:17:56 +0000

Sean
Welcome to the Battle! I’ve been confronting these issues/statements/prejudices as a male in nursing for thirty years – sadly, things have changed little in that time!

Gender bias is alive and well in the profession and public sectors. I’ve cancelled subscriptions/memberships, contacted nursing leaders, written letters to ‘the editor’, etc…but it continues even with the dramatic increase of males entering nursing and the ‘push’ by the various nursing organizations (window dressing only) to recruit more men to the profession.

I attended a national conference two years ago – new attendees were provided ribbons to wear….PINK! When I confronted the President, I got a form letter thanking me for concerns and telling me change ‘would take time’. Do you know what her keynote speech was the following year?…Diversity.

The battle continues…

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:38:07 +0000

@ Ross No problem, I appreciate the visit! And yes I have had those comments as well. Grr.

By: Ross

Ross — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:19:46 +0000

Hey, just read your post… (a few months late!)

As a fellow male nurse i FEEL YOUR PAIN!! And I concur +++++ with all of the points raised… I wanted to also add a common question (from patients) “are you in training to be a doctor?” “Do you like your job?”

Argh!

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Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:05:52 +0000

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By: Strong One

Strong One — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:54:18 +0000

@ Michelle How the heck are ya Diva!? I would succumb to the marketing and sales point you make. I guess I didn’t think in those terms. But I do think there can be a better balance. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:35 +0000

Welcome to the world of generalisations and issues concerning minorities VS majorities… and rightly or wrongly you will likely experience all the things that go along with this until the “norm” is changed. You ARE a minority just like say a female construction worker or perhaps a feamale fire fighter. Unfortunatley, it is gender bias, but not necessarily one done on purpose or with malice(unless you are not good at your job which really has nothing to do with gender).

People do forget that there are those that take on careers that go against the norm (whatever the norm happens to be)… right or wrong. Not everyone reacts to be mean, but perhaps out of surpise. As far as marketing and sales of items for nurses, your numbers (male nurses) may not be substantial enough to represent a viable market… such is the way of business with regards to minorities. You just can’t please everyone. My 2 cents for what it’s worth.