Male CNAs are an underrepresented and virtually unheard of profession. However, with the shortage of healthcare professionals in the United States, more men are considering nursing as a career choice for themselves. they’re there to help patients get well and stay healthy, which can be challenging at times but rewarding all the same. What do you think? Should you become a male CNA? If this sounds like something that interests you, keep reading!
Statistics
According to Zippia, there are more than 25,000 male CNA in the United States. About 13% of US CNAs are male. Another statistics show that, every 100 CNAs 3 of them are male. This is a small percentage but it’s growing fast.
Salary
In general, a male CNA makes about $24,960 per year and $2,080 per month. A person’s salary can be affected by factors including their education and experience level.
Advantages
- If you are a male CNA, you are in the 13% of the nursing population. This can be a good conversation starter. You can also build relationships with doctors and other CNAs.
- It is easier to find a job as a male CNA since there are more male CNAs than female CNAs. If you can prove that you have the skills and competency, then healthcare facilities may hire you. Men also make more money as travel CNAs because they usually get paid more.
- Male CNAs have a higher salary on average than female CNAs.
- All the benefits of being a CNA apply to men as well. The profession as a whole means providing support and comfort, improving healing, and seeing the fruits of your efforts in better conditions after you help patients. This is an honor not many people can experience.
Disadvantages
- There are some biases against male CNAs that have to do with their gender. However, other than those biases, being a male CNA does not have many disadvantages.
- There is a disadvantage to being male. People expect you to do things that are heavy, like when people need help moving equipment or patients. But if you can take it, people will thank you for your help.
- People who are older may not be used to male CNAs. Older people, especially females, may feel uncomfortable in the presence of a male during sensitive procedures. On the other hand, some older people might like a male CNA even if they remind them of their own family members and care-takers that they loved and respected.
- Men who have not learned to cope with their emotions may feel uncomfortable when they work in the hospital. They will be dealing with people near the end of their lives or people who are very sick.
Tips for Succeeding as a Male CNA
Be professional
Be professional at work and put your best foot forward when meeting new people. Do not let any relationships get in the way of being a good CNA. Help patients feel comfortable around you by smiling often and treating them with respect. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.
Improve your communication skills
Work on your communication skills, especially if you are a male CNA working with other men and women in the hospital. Patients expect their nurses to be able to talk about their situation without being judgmental or biased because they have a preconceived notion that only females can take care of them well. The more patients feel comfortable around you, the better they will do. Research your patients’ symptoms and be able to explain them clearly so that other people can understand what’s going on with their health.
Get over your fears
Some males are not interested in nursing because it is stereotypically a woman’s profession. However, this should not discourage you from becoming a CNA if you wish to help people and care for them. If you are a man, people will treat you differently than they would if you were female because of your gender. But even though there is some bias towards male CNAs, it is not so extreme that patients won’t trust or respect their doctors. If this profession interests you then go ahead! You can be the nurse that someone can trust and rely on.
Male CNAs are unique in that they work with patients who may not be used to them or understand their presence because it is rare. However, male CNAs have many advantages when working as healthcare professionals including higher salaries than female CNAs and more job opportunities due to the shortage of nurses in hospitals across America.
There are some disadvantages to being a male CNA, but there are more advantages that should outweigh those few disadvantages. Whether you’re just beginning college or have already earned your degree and looking for employment, becoming a male CNA is an honorable profession that provides many opportunities to care for others in need.