Is it still socially unacceptable for a male to be a nurse?

Answer 1

Only among idiots that somehow equate being a male nurse with being gay.

Answer 2

To my knowledge, it was never that way. In fact, before Clara Barton became a nurse, it was socially unacceptable for women to be a nurse. I think when the profession became predominantly female was during wartime. The men were the only ones allowed to do the fighting, so women had to become the nurses in the civil war and both world wars. After the world wars, men just faded from the limelight as nurses. But there has been a resurgence in numbers of male nurses in recent years... so the answer to your question would be no.

Answer 3

Some of the best nurse I work with are male nurses. It's far from unacceptable.
After my major surgery almost 4 years ago, my evening nurse (male) was the only nurse I could stand! Nurses are always hardest on each other, & I admit...I was horrible b/c I was in so much pain.
I agree with the person who stated that male nurses are happy...somehow that is totally true! Maybe because they don't feel like they're trying to prove something as women sometimes do???
Anyhow...if you're looking to nursing as a career, all I can say is good for you. It is sometimes difficult & thankless, but mostly it's rewarding & there are SO many specialty areas to go to, you'll never be at a lack for opportunities if you get sick of one area. Nurses are going to be in 10X the demand in a decade as they are now.
Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

Absolutely not. Nursing was and is typically dominated by females, but more men are becoming nurses these days. We need all the nurses we can get because we are heading for a severe shortage. I did I research paper on the subject and I found that by the year 2020 we will be short 800,000 nurses. This will be due to a shortage of educators and the baby boomers retiring and becoming our patients instead of our co-workers. I'm in school for nursing and I'd say go for it!

Answer 5

I've worked with lots of male nurses over the years... It's perfectly acceptable. It hasn't been unacceptable for a couple or three decades...

Actually, in days of yore, it was unacceptable for a FEMALE to be a nurse--people didn't think women had the fortitude to handle the task...

Answer 6

It is completely acceptable for a man to be a nurse. I am a paramedic and I turn patients over to male nurses on a regular basis. I think those in the medical profession are very accepting of males as nurses and the general public is far more accepting than it used to be.

Answer 7

Absolutely not. It is known that male nurses actually make more money than female nurses. I have been a nurse for 14 years and prefer to work with another male nurse.

Answer 8

Yes it is very socially acceptable for a man to be a nurse... I used to house sit for a nurse that traveled and did contract work because it paid the most money.There are things that hospitals need male nurses for because they are more physically strong and able to move and lift patients. He made a very good living because he specialized in ER which is in high demand.

Answer 9

My dad doesn't like male nurses, but he's kind of an older man. I have had male nurses do fantastic jobs with my boys although I wouldn't feel comfortable unless it was just for triage. But, I prefer a female gynocologist as well and a female doctor, so I guess it's a matter of preference.

Answer 10

For the most part it depends upon which speciality area you desire to work! As a retired Male Nurse with a desire to work in womens health it is and was very hard to get beyond the Gender Bias in society!

Answer 11

I say no. I have met some fine male nurses.

When my previous wife was in the hospital, the only nurse who could reliably hit the vein to put in her I.V. was a big guy who looked like a football player. You wouldn't think someone with hands that big would have that delicate a touch, but he did.