Blue Collar vs. Pink Collar: The Stigma Behind Male Nurses

Medical Professionals wearing blue and pink collared clothing from telegraph.co.uk/

By Aubrey Hovanga

Chances are, if you’ve ever been to a hospital, you’ve been cared for by a nurse. Regardless of whether they were male or female, their gender likely wasn’t your focus—or at least, it shouldn’t have been.

“A male nurse may experience discrimination, a lack of respect, seism-all of which their female counterparts are less likely to experience in the profession,” said Nursing Central. While we may not realize it, this injustice has been around for decades and now’s the time to break this stigma. 

“Oklahoma currently has an 11-1 female to male nurse ratio,” said Beckers Hospital. While this is the highest this ratio has ever been, there is still a significant imbalance. Is it fair to discriminate against male nurses simply because there are fewer of them?

The qualifications for nursing should never be based on gender but rather on a genuine passion for the profession and a commitment to helping others. Nursing requires compassion, skill, and resilience: qualities that are not exclusive to any gender. By focusing on these characteristics, the profession can ensure that patients receive the best care possible from individuals who are dedicated and capable. Removing gender biases allows more people to pursue nursing for the right reasons, fostering a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

Photo displaying white, blue, and pink collar jobs from Media.hswstatic.com.

White, pink, and blue collar jobs are terms often used to classify types of work based on perceived skill level, industry, or social standing (commonly gender related). 

White-collar jobs typically refer to professional, managerial, or office-based roles, often associated with higher education and pay. Blue collar jobs involve manual labor and trade skills, such as construction or manufacturing, while pink-collar jobs historically represent roles dominated by women, such as caregiving (nursing) or administrative support. 

Sorting jobs into these categories is unjust because it reinforces stereotypes and undervalues essential work. For instance, blue and pink collar jobs are vital to society yet often receive less recognition, pay, and respect compared to white collar roles. This categorization emphasises inequalities, discourages individuals from pursuing their passions, and creates hierarchies that ignore the equal dignity of all labor. Instead of emphasizing these labels, society should focus on the shared value and qualifications to work in all professions.

Chart comparison of white, blue, and pink categorized jobs from Teamfleck.com

To gain more perspective I was given clearance to open an anonymous google form and post it up as a QR code at a local medical facility (also anonymous). The form provided male nurses working in their field a platform to speak about their experiences.

The prompt given was “Please share a short anonymous paragraph about your experience with gender inequality in the nursing field and any stigmas you face,” and three responses were recorded. 

Source 1:

“I would say there is not so much inequality but stigma tied to being a male nurse. For example there have been many instances where people have assumed I’m gay because I’m a male nurse,” said Source 1.

Source 2:

“I have been told the only reason patient’s remember me and give me good surveys is because I’m a male nurse. I have been expected to do heavy lifting, take difficult patients, be security, etc,” said Source 2.

Source 3:

“I have been told that the only reason I have been promoted was because I’m a man,” said Source 3. 

The stigma against male nurses is rooted in outdated stereotypes and biases that undermine both the nursing profession and gender equality. To eliminate this stigma, society must challenge traditional views about gender roles, promote diversity in healthcare, and recognize that compassion, skill, and dedication are not gender-specific traits. Educational campaigns, media representation, and workplace initiatives can help normalize the presence of men in nursing, while highlighting the critical role all nurses play in patient care. 

By embracing inclusivity and breaking down these stereotypes, we can create a more equitable healthcare system that values individuals for their abilities and contributions, not their gender.