How to Be a Male Nurse

Men make up approximately 6 percent of today's nurses. Faced with special challenges from people and institutions that consider nursing a women's profession, many men find success by defying stereotypes. Follow these steps to be a male nurse.

Instructions

1. Know that male nurses are nothing new. Until the mid-1800s, men acted as hospital and battlefield nurses.

2. Seek admission into a progressive nursing school that supports men in nursing. Male faculty and other male students signify open attitudes. Ask admissions personnel about attitudes regarding male nurses from hospitals used for clinical rotations.

3. Make nursing faculty aware of problems experienced with patients or hospital staff.

4. Relate well with women. Signs show that nursing will continue to be a female-dominated profession for some time to come. Enter the nursing profession with the ability to get along well with others as you encounter all types of people.

5. Explore different nursing specialties. Mental health and emergency nursing draw more male nurses. Historically, women's health remains the most difficult area for male nurses to break into. Women's health focuses primarily on labor and delivery, but in some healthcare settings, it includes pediatrics as well.

6. Understand that some people view male nurses similar to Robert DeNiro's character views his future son-in-law nurse in the movie "Meet the Parents." Stereotypes regarding male nurse's sexuality or being feminine should be discouraged by all.

7. Interact with patients in a professional manner without calling attention to the fact that you're a man. Most patients just want a qualified nurse. For patients who seem put off, explain that nurses come in all shapes and sizes. And realize that every time you put your patients at ease with your manner and skills, you've score another victory for men in nursing.

Resources

• Read about specific concerns of male nurses.
• Talk with others in healthcare.