Increase in male nurses causes social change

Male nurses do exist, and many of them are learning the tricks of the trade at Austin Peay State University. One of them is Kenneth Chessman, sophomore nursing major. "I always wanted to do something medically," Chessman said.

When the word "nurse" is mentioned, a womanly figure is instantly placed into the minds of most people. The stereotype of all nurses being females has been consistent ever since nursing became a common job.

"All the guys were going to war, and the females would help them out when they were shot or blown up," Chessman said, referring to the early wars when nursing became common. The word "nurse," along with "teacher" or "secretary," is most commonly associated with women.

"There's a stereotype that goes with it," said freshman Ceantanna Harrison. Some of these stereotypes spilled over into punch lines in the hit movie "Meet the Parents" where Ben Stiller plays a male nurse (and no one lets him forget it). As the years go by, male nurses are increasing slowly, yet they are still looked at strangely.

"It is typical that when you go to the hospital or doctor's office, you do see female nurses," said Marissa Chandler, director of Trio Student Support Services at APSU. "But with times changing, and there being such a high demand of nurses, I think that slowly it will evolve. Male nurses can add a whole new ballgame to the field."

Mark Gray, the tutor coordinator and computer lab supervisor for Trio Student Support Services, agrees with Chandler. "There are times when a nurse has to move or roll a patient over, and a male nurse might be stronger and able to move a bigger patient," said Gray. "I think male nurses are definitely a good thing," Chandler added.

With the world always evolving and changing, many people find male nurses can be very helpful. Jeanine Thurmond, junior nursing major, has been a licensed practical nurse for seven years. "I've had the experience of working with many male nurses," Thurmond said. "I found it to be phenomenal. They're really awesome when it comes to carrying out duties."

Thurmond also had a male nurse when she had her baby three years ago. "He was wonderful," Thurmond reflected. "He was sensitive. I thought it was kind of strange to actually have a male nurse instead of working with one, but he was the best."

In 2005, out of 189 nursing majors at APSU, 26 of them were males. "The world is more open and accepting of male nurses," said Joeann Burteff, the interim director of nursing at APSU. "There is a place in nursing for the male gender. We see more males going into this predominant female profession, and it could be because you see more females going into the predominant male professions now."

Burteff is right. Along with male nurses, male beauticians are also becoming more common. Another aspect is the different techniques employed by men and women for the job.

"A woman might be real soft and gentle," said Kaya Ray, junior pre-med chemistry major. The gentleness of a female nurse may really come in handy at times, especially when they have child patients. On the other hand, some male patients may feel awkward talking to women nurses about certain things.

"They [male patients] may feel comfortable talking to another man about their issues. That may be one contributing factor," said Kendra Dunn, academic counselor for Trio Student Support Services.

All in all, there are probably still some men out there who would love to become a nurse, but are too frightened of the stereotype to step up to the role. "If you have the knowledge and the work ethic to achieve that (nursing), I think that anyone should go for it," said Sally Allen, the admissions manager at APSU.

In fact, the lack of male nurses these days could actually help more men to get the nursing jobs a little easier. "Male nurses have a better chance of getting into the nursing program than women do, because there is a lack of them," said freshman Jeannie Williams.

While male nurses may still be somewhat rare, the increase is steadily building. Perhaps maybe less than 40 years from now, male nurses might be as common as female nurses.