5 Reasons Why Men Should Go Into Nursing

Nurse Types / Registered Nurse / Male RNs

Male nurses have become more commonplace within the medical field over the years.

Gender equality has helped women break glass ceilings in many professions. But, it has also helped introduce men to fields they otherwise wouldn’t explore. Male nurses help bring diversity to a field that’s in high demand. 

Keep reading to discover the benefits of becoming a male nurse and why they are essential. 

1. Demand for male nurses

The nursing field continues growing at a rapid pace. According to a recent study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, job openings for nurses will increase by 7% from 2019 to 2029. 

The nursing profession has experienced an increase in demand because the baby boomer population is the second-largest population group. As such, they have started to age and require care. 

Hiring men becomes even more crucial due to the demand. Women can’t fill all the nursing positions and hiring men is a great way to find qualified nurses. 

Nursing also offers several flexible scheduling options. If you decided to go with a full-time role, you could opt for three 12-hours shifts or four 10-hour ones. Part time more your thing? That’s a viable option too along with per diem nursing.

2. Several nursing specialties to choose from

Nursing offers men various avenues to pursue. For the more technical person, anesthesia nursing. If you have a desire to work with kids, there’s pediatrics. Also, there are several middle management positions along with nurse education and a nurse practitioner role. 

WIth the nurse practitioner role specifically, you have a chance to work independently. 

The nursing field has many types of roles for men to engage in. You can find something that makes you happy and bring you a sense of purpose. 

3. Male nurses receive competitive compensation

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for registered nurses is $82,750. Although women make up a more significant workforce share, male nurses earn more than their female counterparts. 

Male RN’s make an average of $5,000 more per year than female RN’s. Men entering the field will have the confidence to know that they can earn good money. Also, they know that the career is stable. There’s always going to be a demand for nurses. 

4. Some patients prefer male nurses

Many different patients require healthcare. These patients all come in with various needs and desires. For example, some men feel afraid to appear weak in front of women. Therefore, they feel more comfortable with a male nurse. 

The same is true for more invasive procedures such as catheters, where a patient might prefer a male nurse over a female nurse.

5. Male Nurses provide a positive role model for young boys

Gender stereotypes still permeate our culture. As such, young men and boys should experience male nurses who love their job. Seeing males in non-traditional roles will help eradicate the biases at an early age. 

Also, young boys can benefit from having a role model who understands what they are going through. Sometimes talking about intimate aspects with unfamiliar women can challenge younger men. 

Last, some parent groupings (such as single dads) may feel more comfortable relating to and engaging with a male nurse compared to a female nurse. 

Story of two male nurses

Colt Harrow, RN and Talent Advocate at Incredible Health, comes from a long line of nurses and doctors. He felt like it was a natural progression to become a nurse. As a child, he was intrigued by the medical field.

For Harrow, it’s the relationships that keep him in the field. “I personally enjoy working with fellow nurses more than any other profession that I previously held,” said Harrow. “Nursing friendships are just a next-level type of relationship where a lot of unspoken trust and respect is necessary for the whole unit to function properly, and ultimately provide the best possible care to our patients.”

Originally, Harrow faced stigma within the field. Elderly female patients assumed things about his sexuality because nursing was what they considered a “woman’s job.” Additionally, some of the more veteran nurses viewed male nurses as lazier than female nurses.

However, both issues have faded away for him as a nurse. He loves the role.

Eric Sartori, RN in Phoenix, didn’t originally set out to become a nurse. However, he felt drawn toward helping people and justice from a young age. He thought being a pastor would fill that need. Over time, Sartori realized that working as a nurse would fulfill that yearning to help others and seek out justice.

“I realized I wanted to have my hands in the dirt doing the real stuff. I wanted to help people in their time of need.”

Sartori believes that a male-female balance is beneficial to humanity and the profession in particular. “Doctor’s used to have this air of ‘do what I say.’ Now it’s a real collaborative effort. We have the communication tools available to use that will allow us to put that question on the table so we can feel confident in the level of care that we are providing for this patient.”

Final word on male nurses

Male nurses are needed and wanted within the field. It’s a great opportunity to earn a competitive wage, inspire young boys, challenge gender stereotypes and specialize.