Issues of Men Working in Care

Nursing and care giving are health and personal care services dominated by women. Although men are valued in care-providing teams, they sometimes face issues as minorities in this field. Patients and co-workers may also have issues with male nurses, nursing assistants and care givers. With a little thought and consideration, health care managers can take advantage of the benefits men bring to their workplaces and usually prevent problems before they even occur.

Female Patients

• Naturally, many female patients enjoy having a man around. But there are always some who find themselves uncomfortable with male nurses and nursing assistants, particularly during moments when their modesty is compromised. Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and hospices try to be cognizant of patient feelings and preferences as patient dignity is a high priority. In many cases, home health and personal caregiver agencies don't send male staff to care for female patients.

Accusations

• Male health care staff have to be extra careful in what they say and do. Unfortunately, incidences of molestation, sexual harassment and rape have occasionally occurred in medical facilities and home health situations. Health care employers make every effort to check backgrounds and screen carefully to make sure they employ only those without criminal records. At the same time, behavior is impossible to predict. Male employees, like all medical facility staff, receive sensitivity training that includes issues of patient dignity and inappropriate behavior with both patients and other staff members. However, male health care professionals must make sure not to give even a hint of impropriety.

Social Interaction

• Because nursing and other health care teams are usually female, male staff members can have a difficult time fitting in. They may find themselves an outsider, or treated differently. In some cases, female supervisors show more confidence, support or understanding to female health professionals with whom they can relate. Male staff must usually make an extra effort to communicate and work to build trust and connection with managers and colleagues.

Extra Work

• On average, male health care workers have more body strength than female staff members. Therefore, it's only natural that female nurses and other team members turn to male staff for transferring and ambulating larger patients. In many cases, male nurses and nursing assistants are asked to carry supply boxes, move beds and help with other physical tasks. Male nurses, rehab therapists, technicians and assistants sometimes resent that they are asked to do more physical labor than skilled care, or that they have more duties than their physically weaker counterparts.