Ideal canidate for a nursing carreer - Essay Example

Thesis :There should be emphasis on the basic qualities of a nurse rather than gender while selecting candi s for nursing. Introduction A nurse isa health care professional who has the skill to ensure the recovery of patients. There are about 2,694,540 registered nurses in America, off which 146,902 nurses are men, which is only 5.4 percent of the nursing population. [Minority nursing statistics, 2005]. There are certain skills and qualities required to be an efficient nurse. The basic qualities are good communication and problem solving skills, caring, amicable and empathetic nature, and respect for confidentiality, manual deftness, visual insight, physical strength and stamina and in additional to these the ability to think critically and respond quickly.

Since they are dealing with patients, nurses should be neat, well groomed and professional in appearance.[ Registered Nurse, 2005] Nursing is considered women dominated profession, in spite of the fact that there are large numbers of men who have contributed extensively towards this profession from centuries. Although gender is not a specified quality to be an efficient nurse, there is gender bias prevailing in this profession. The white attire of a nurse, which specifies the sanctity of this profession, should stress on the basic humanitarian qualities of a nurse rather than giving importance to trivial matter such as gender.

Therefore, emphasis should be laid on the basic qualities of a nurse rather than their gender while selecting the ideal candidate for this profession. There is acute shortage of nurses in America and it is imperative that this profession is free from such bias to fulfill the increasing shortage of nurses. There are extensive efforts taken by various health organization and nursing colleges to increase the number of male nurses. Due to this, the perception of people is changing towards this profession and an increasing number of men are pursuing career as nurses.

AnalysisMen are associated with nursing profession from centuries. They have proved their efficiency in this profession. Tranbarger [2003] states that "Nursing has a rich history but we all need to know about male nurses and what they have done for us." Male nurses have actively participated in recovering the ill during the Vietnam War. About 3000 men were recruited into the military as nurses. Male nurses have worked hard at the world trade center site as well. [LeMaire, 2003]. Men and women are equally competent to be efficient nurses and history has revealed this fact.

Anyone who has the passion to serve the ill can be a competent nurse.Men are working as nurses in all the departments that were initially female oriented. They are now actively taking part along with their female colleagues in departments like gynecology, pediatrics that was initially a taboo for them. [Hilton, 2001]. Mark Buike, a registered nurse who works at the pediatrics ICU states that he is quite confident and at ease as a male nurse. He further states that he has worked in all the departments and has received support from his female counterparts.

[Hilton, 2001]. Men have certain qualities, which prove that they are ideal candidates for nursing profession like their female counterparts. They have the leadership qualities, technical knowledge and dedication to work. These attribute to attain higher portfolios in the field of nursing. Davidson, a registered nurse states that "It is not a person's gender that makes him or her a good nurse; it is what is in their hearts and what they give to their patients." [Neighbors, n. d].ConclusionHistory and the increasing requirement of nurses have revealed that anyone who has the passion, qualities and the skills of a nurse can prove to be an ideal candidate for nursing.

Male nurses have proved their efficiency in this profession and are holding high portfolios like their female counterparts. Therefore, the qualities of an efficient nurse are much above gender and demonstrate compassion to serve the patients.ReferencesBree LeMaire. 12th Sept 2003. 5 minutes with Gene Tranbarger, on men in nursing. Nurse week. 29th Nov.2005. http://www.nurseweek.com/5min/tranbarger.aspChristopher Neighbours.2005. Male nurses, men in a female dominated profession: The perceived need for masculinity maintenance. Tripod. 29th Nov.2005. http://members.tripod.com/studentnurse/men.

htmlLisette Hilton. 14th May 2001.A few good men. Nurse Week. 29th Nov.2005. http://www.nurseweek.com/news/features/01-05/men.htmlMinority Nursing Statistics.2005. Minority nurses.com. 29th Nov.2005. http://www.minoritynurse.com/statistics.htmlRegistered Nursing. 2005. Minnesota state college and universities. 29th Nov.2005. http://www.rctc.edu/program/nurs/