Benefits Of Being A Male Nurse
Being a male nurse is something that unfortunately tends to carry a stigma, as many believe that nursing is a job that should be exclusively for females. Male nurses have many benefits that people do not stop to consider, so we chose to outline them below.
Stand Out In A Good Way
Nurses have historically been a predominantly female profession. This could be due to the history of nursing which dates back to the 1800’s when Florence Nightingale organized women to care for British soldiers. By default, nursing became a career that was thought to be fitting for women, similar to a secretary or a school teacher.
However, this is not to say that only women should be nurses. The number of males in nursing continues to rise year over year and being a male nurse allows those men to stand out in a good way. Similar to a female entering a profession that is largely predominated by men, when a male becomes a nurse it allows them to push against the status quo and show their passion and determination for their career.
Ditch The Formal Wear
While many careers require men to wear a suit and tie, or at the very least a pair of dress slacks and a formal shirt, nursing requires comfortable scrubs. Nursing is one of the few professions where workers can say they get to wear comfortable clothing every day. Who doesn’t want to go to work in comfy clothes every day?
Relate To Male Patients
Many male patients welcome the idea of having a male nurse simply because they are able to more closely relate to male health and issues they may be experiencing. The same can be said for female patients preferring a female nurse. Many people feel more comfortable with their same gender when it comes to medical care due to the personal and intimate questions and contact that is often necessary during medical treatment.
Have Flexibility
Nursing is one of the few careers that allows for flexibility in schedule, which can be crucial for men that are also balancing family life. Nursing allows for part-time, full-time, and even a combination of shifts that allow for men that are also dads to be more available to their families than with a traditional daily 9-5 job. Many male nurses have the ability to work 12-hour shifts for a couple of days in a row, and then have a few days off which allows for a great work-life balance.
The demand for male nurses continues to grow year over year. The number of male nurses has tripled since the 1970s according to www.nurse.org. The benefits are clear for men that are interested in pursuing a career as a nurse, with great job security as nurses are profession that will always be needed. If you are a male interested in nursing, don’t hesitate to do some research and find a program that works best for you!