After some research I was shocked to see so few number of males in the nursing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the number of registered male nurses was only at 5.6 percent by the end of 2005! I would think that with so much opportunity in the medical field we should see an increase in entrants in the coming years. Don’t you think? Today’s guest shares HIS story as a nurse. He has excelled in a career as a nurse overcoming many obstacles, here is his story:

Hi. I’m the nurse. Have we met?

Maybe you’ve seen me on television?

I’m usually portrayed as the female subordinate who wears that funny white cap and white skirted outfit. I’m there to simply take the doctor’s orders.

Or I’m the ‘sexy’ one who wears the same white outfit, except it barely covers my exposed body parts and I’m not really here to tend to your ‘health’.

Maybe you’ve seen me on the Internet?

I do my best to emulate my television personalities throughout the world wide web. I’m usually the punch-line of most jokes or trying to sell you some scrubs.

Every once in a while you might find some useful information on nursing careers, nursing schools and nursing jobs, but their not the most popular.

Maybe you’ve seen me in the doctor’s office? Or the hospital?

I have this tough look of stress on my face. I have this tendency to snap at you, or be curt with you and I don’t even know I’m doing it. I also give the impression of not doing a very good job sometimes.

It troubles me time and time again when I tell people, “I’m a nurse”.

I usually get that pause in the conversation, and that look of bewilderment. At this point I get one of two initial reactions:

“Oh?..” “So you’re a male nurse?”

No. I’m a nurse, and I happen to be a male

Or…

“Oh?..” “Really?” “How come you’re not a doctor?”

The public’s perception of the world of nursing and it’s idea of what a nurse does is very warped and incongruent. It’s this perception that can make my job very difficult. We not only have to deal with the horribly false stereotypes at our job, but the media does not help either.

When was the last time you saw a nurse portrayed in a positive manner on TV?

Ever watch ‘House’? How about ‘Grey’s Anatomy’? Do you see nurses at all?

Educating the public is and will continue be difficult. You see, I thought the same way before I became a nurse. I was just as uninformed as the rest of the public. My eyes were opened to a world that has unlimited opportunities and an environment full of possibilities, and my passion for my job and my passion for nursing was born.

In my opinion nursing is the greatest job in the world, here’s why.

I feel blessed that I am living what I love.

The next time you see a nurse, speak with a nurse, or need a nurse. Think about what a nurse does. Think about what a nurse is. And if you can, think about this blog post. Those who know need us know us , and those who know us, know the difference.

Hi. I’m the nurse. We’ve never met.

I want to thank Mark for giving me the opportunity to share my voice with all his wonderful readers. A fellow blogger I met at the beginning of my blogging journey who has always been a joy to communicate with and follow. It is a true pleasure to share the Blogosphere with Mark.

I want to thank you for sharing your journey as an RN! The challenges that you have faced have undoubedly made you better at what you do! I know many nurses (my wonderful wife is an RN) and doctors that give SO much of their time and energy. I feel very fortunate to have met people that put out the effort to help so many!