what's it like being a male nurse?

Go with the flow's answer is really ignorant. Being a male is no advantage or disadvantage in nursing. As for patient lifting. . . hospitals and other health care facilities follow safe patient moving standards and are expected to use lifting equipment, assist personnel and other transport devices. I believe the standard "safe" lift is considered to be no more than 30-40lbs and anything more than that where total lift without the patient's own assistance requires equipment for lifts.

It would be discriminatory hiring practices to hire a man over a woman because of physical strength, because these policies are in place. Men and women have the same job description and/or expectations, and professional standards do not change based on gender.

To be a nurse, you need a degree in nursing. You need to graduate from an accredited nursing program and earn your state nursing license, whether you choose LPN or RN. You cannot be a nurse without a license. And once you're a nurse, you'll find rather quickly that it's looked down upon to refer to one's self as a "male nurse". Male is not in your job title or license, and we don't call ourselves "female nurses". Your gender is obvious, and to use it as part of your title is in poor taste, as if you're trying to gain attention for being different or "special". It's really unprofessional.

I have heard that it is easier for them to find a job.

Ex: A male nurse can move patients more easily from bed to bed.

Think about how handy this would be in an emergency room.

Better than having a few 110 pound nurses trying to move a 300 pound man.

Plus, there may be a patient that will not allow a female to touch their privates for shaving or to put in a catheder tube.

I have worked with female physicians. I have traveled on a flight that is flown by a female pilot. I have worked with male physicians. I have also traveled on a flight flown by male pilot.

As long as this person can do the job, I don't care what gender, age, color, creed, whatever, matters.