Male nursing major tips the scale on gender bias

When most people think of a nurse, the image of a woman dressed in a white dress and stiff hat of decades ago might pop into their heads. While this was once the stereotype for the profession, things are rapidly changing.

Chad Green is one of the few male nursing students on campus. Although he gets the typical gender comments, he takes it all in stride and has a good sense of humor about being a male nurse. He said the decision to choose the occupation was mostly financial.

“I guess I decided that I wanted to do something in the medical field,” he said. “I was looking at nursing, and they make quite a bit of money.”

Green first came to the university to play football and had not yet declared a major. When he finally settled on nursing, he was reluctant to tell people. However, as he was exposed to the field, he became more comfortable with his choice.

“I’d have to say starting out, my first two years in school, I was hesitant to tell people my major because it’s such a womanly profession,” Green said. “I got a lot of comments. Stuff like, aren’t there a lot of women in your profession? I would tell people I didn’t know my major when I first met them. I’m past that.”

Nursing is undoubtedly one of the most difficult majors for students to choose. The nurses in training put in countless hours studying and spending time at the hospital for on-site learning.

Green quickly learned nursing was no walk in the park. “It’s harder than I thought it would be,” he said. “I actually have to try, and I never really had to before. It’s testing me.”

Green has a strong background in football with his father being the head football coach in his hometown, his twin brother plays the sport at UMHB, his younger brother plays for his dad and his mom is their biggest fan. With a connection like that, most people are surprised that Green isn’t going to be a coach.

His twin brother, junior Kyle Green, said nursing seemed like nothing Chad would do.

“At first, I questioned his motives,” he said. “It didn’t seem like something he wanted to do growing up.”

His fellow student and friend, junior Amy Smalley, said she never would have thought he would be going into the nursing field.

“At first he struck me as an athlete or an exercise and sports science kind of guy,” she said.

“It is apparent that he puts what he learns to use and takes it seriously, and after becoming friends, it’s easy to see how tenderhearted and caring he is, which is perfect for the nursing field.”