Jim Raper, on men in nursing

By Bree LeMaire, MS, RN
May 31, 2004

How did you get into nursing?

It’s funny because in high school, I knew I wanted to go into health care and set my sights on premed. Our family had a friend who was a nurse and knew our family situation and she suggested nursing school. I was one of six children. She asked me what Ido with a premed degree if I didn’t get into medical school, and encouraged me to think about nursing. My folks weren’t too keen on me being a male nurse, but they said at least I’d have a job when I graduated.

I registered in pre-nursing at Kent State and did the four straight years for my BSN. During that time, I worked nights as an EMT/orderly in the local osteopathic hospital. I was the enema and catheterization guy along with working in the ER. There was a male night supervisor who told me not to let anyone get me down. I took that to heart.

Today, I work as the administrative director responsible for operations and finance at the UAB Outpatient HIV/AIDS Dental Clinic here in Birmingham. I also work part time as an NP. It’s a premier HIV clinic in that it has ranked in the top five HIV providers in the U.S. News & World Report ratings. I’m also a nurse on the faculty of the School of Medicine. They have other sciences represented, but I’m the only nurse.

What challenges are HIV nurses facing today?

The No.1 problem is managing the rapid evolution of knowledge and staying current. HIV research is on a forward trajectory. What may have been standard three months ago may not be the standard today.

Keeping our staff is an administrative problem. Most of our money comes from the government and Ryan White CARE Act moneys. We can’t match the hospital salaries now being offered and nurses are being drawn back to those higher wages.

Any interesting experiences as a male in a predominantly female profession?

Well, I take care of patients more than 50% of the time. In my career working with patients, some things are pretty standard. They always want to call you doctor and that was before I even had my doctorate. I always have to say, “I’m a nurse practitioner; you have a physician,” and then I give them their physician’s name.

When I used to be a staff nurse, patients were surprised at seeing a man. I would have to tell them that I had the ability and was willing to help them as needed, yes, even putting them on the bedpan. Most of the time they’ll come around.

Does discrimination still exist?

I’d be a fool to say it didn’t, although I’ve never been subject to discrimination personally. When such things happen, I try to reframe it. Such cases as a physician needing a “female chaperone,” I see as the physician’s self-protection from anything inappropriate. Then I’ll trade off with one of the female staff.

It helps to be competent and educated, and people notice how you handle yourself.

What direction do you want the AAMN to take?

We have strong leadership and a strong mission and I’d like to continue in that same direction, advocating for men in nursing and for men’s health issues. I want to strengthen the way we communicate and recognize men in the field with the accomplishments they have made.

I’d like to see more balance in every area including gender, race, and ideology. With equilibrium, things naturally progress in a more positive way. The more we can balance the profession, the stronger it will be.

What would you tell men thinking about nursing?

Young men, I always tell them to go directly into a BSN program and to take advantage of that baccalaureate education. They can do so many things as a nurse and their education will serve them well for the rest of their lives. They will never be unemployed.

Older men, I encourage to go for an ADN, as they can get into the field quickly and accomplish their goals. They can go for the baccalaureate degree later while practicing earlier as a nurse.

Nursing is a wonderful place for anyone intelligent and willing to work hard with a desire to serve humanity. It takes a special and intelligent person to be a good nurse.