Taking a Closer Look at Male CNAs
Why is it Important to Have Males and Females Represented in the Healthcare Setting?
Having men in nursing on equal terms with women lies in several important issues. For example, gender equality eliminates the concept that there are professions for men or women. Another example is the shortage of nurses, which is very difficult to manage. With the help of both genders to cover this shortage, the situation of patients and nurses alike can be improved. It also enhances the quality of care for patients and the facilities that hire CNAs (certified nursing assistants). Diversity is necessary for the growth of any job, and by hiring both men and women as CNAs, institutions can enjoy these benefits and growth.
Throughout history, there has been an imbalance between women and men in nursing: Frequently, only female nurses were hired, and the general feeling was that patients felt more confident in being cared for by women. Nevertheless, surveys show that there are patients who have more confidence in male nurses, just as there are patients who prefer female nurses. Regardless of the case, diversity and representation have been slowly increasing. Although there is still a long way to go, becoming a certified male nurse assistant has many benefits.
What Does a CNA Do?
A male nursing assistant will have the same roles as a female nursing assistant. For example, a male CNA must:
- Attend to patients when they need them or when they call them.
- Mobilize patients within the hospital, moving them around and repositioning them to avoid bruising.
- Help patients eat and drink when they cannot do so themselves.
- Assist with personal hygiene, dressing, combing, or bathing. Male nurses won't assist female patients in bathing.
- Record information as needed and communicate it to registered nurses (RNs) and the rest of the healthcare personnel.
- Communicate with patients and their families.
Although the work of male nurses is similar to that of female nurses, there are many advantages that male nurses have as nurses, given that there are more women in nursing than male nurses. Some of these advantages are:
- Men in nursing have many opportunities to pursue scholarships to advance their profession, whether registered nurses or CNAs.
- Job stability is excellent. Certified nursing assistants have the advantage in the job market that a great demand for nurses is constantly rising.
- Career advancement is easy, and further education to become a registered nurse and even specialties such as CNAs are accessible and have numerous advantages.
- The pay is good. A CNA's salary is $30,310 per year on average, a stable salary that can be supplemented in various ways. For example, CNAs can get jobs as travel CNAs for higher pay and work PRN shifts, which are temporary but have higher hourly salaries and the bonus of choosing the schedules to suit the male CNAs.
Can Male CNAs Assist Female Patients?
In general, all personal care shouldn't be carried out by a male CNA when it is a female patient. In all other respects, there is no reason why male CNAs should not assist female patients unless female patients feel uncomfortable. While it may be inconvenient for male CNAs to be unable to perform specific tasks with female patients, it is a way to protect both the patient and the CNA.
Challenges for Male CNAs
There are many challenges that men face within nursing, for example:
- There are fewer male CNAs.
- There is still discrimination against male CNAs, both from health care staff and patients and their families, which can sometimes make the job difficult.
- They are sometimes perceived as less compassionate just because they are men, compared to their female colleagues.
- Sometimes they are not as welcome in some areas of nursing, such as labor and delivery, and they must avoid situations that could raise concerns with female patients.
Given the many challenges, more men must enter the nursing field to minimize these challenges and serve as role models for the younger generation.
Thanks to the efforts of many male CNAs, so much progress has been made in seeking gender equity in nursing. Overall, women can also be supportive in avoiding negative comments or thoughts toward male nurses. Want more information? Learn the differences between CMA vs CNA.
