Nursing career: I started as an ambivalent nursing student back in 1985 in the ER at LAC+USC Medical Center. That hesitation evolved into decisiveness and an enormous attraction for the profession. I spent the first 11-12 years as an RN working in the oncology-hematology unit at the same facility. I obtained national certification as an OCN during that time. My next clinical area was the trauma operating room in the same building; I spent about five years in that setting. From the O.R., I transferred to public health in the role of nurse case manager, and then supervising nurse case manager. I had a brief practice in mental health, which provided me with tremendous experience in the field of forensic nursing, making my transition as a PHN to Child Welfare Services, where I worked for about three years. I returned to public health two year ago as an acting nursing instructor. During this time I also worked part time as a clinical instructor/relief nurse with the Probation Department in Juvenile Services and at City of Hope.

Something unique about you: My willing to try new areas, new experiences and new challenges.

Men currently represent six percent of nurses in the United States, but make up 12 percent of the student body within nursing schools. What do you think of this statistic? Do you think there will come a time when there is gender parity in this profession? I am not really sure why this statistic it what it is, but it’s changing for the better. I doubt a time will come when there is gender parity in the nursing profession.

What attracted you to the nursing profession? Its endless opportunities.

Did you get resistance for your career choice? No, not really.

Do you think high school and college counselors adequately promote nursing to boys as a career option? I am not sure.

The term “male nurse” — Yes or no? Sure.

Do you find that patients accept nurses who are men? Only a very few times did I encounter some resistance from a patient to have me as her nurse.

Advice to men entering the nursing field: Go for it. There are excellent opportunities, vast room to expand clinically and academically, and great pay.