Tara Parker-Pope, the blogger of Well on the New York Times Web site recently wrote about the idea that stereotypes in the healthcare system can in fact be detrimental to the quality of care given to patients.

One such stereotype is that nurses should be women. In this backwards stereotype, nurses are seen as the one who takes care of others because they are softer-hearted and more compassionate than men. What's more, male nurses are regarded as insincere and inept at and unfit for their jobs. 

What can be done then, to side step and eliminate these stereotypes? It is vital to understand that all nurses go through the same training and that all complete the vigorous nursing courses that have the same standards, nation wide. 

To read the full article, click here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/nurses-helpers-angels-or-something-more/