Jonathan McCarthy is the director of patient flow at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine. A nurse since 1993, he came to the profession with a background in retail management. In 1989, when he realized that the company he worked for would soon become defunct, McCarthy decided to change career paths and enroll in nursing school. McCarthy says he chose nursing because he sought a career that would be both mentally stimulating and recession-proof.

Drawing on the interpersonal and professional knowledge he's gained by working his way up from staff nurse to director, McCarthy has three pieces of advice he shares with men who are entering the field of nursing.

"First, never perpetuate stereotypes," he says. "Many of us have worked too long and too hard to break down the perception that men lack empathy, therefore, they can't be good nurses. Be professional, be caring, and when in doubt, keep the patient in mind. You'll never go wrong if you do. Another stereotype is that men don't like taking orders from women, so nursing isn't for them. From working for both men and women during my career, I've found that there are good and bad managers represented equally by both genders."

"Second, never stop learning. If you aspire to enter nursing management or another advanced role, you'll need to stand out. It's not enough today to be good. To get ahead, you need to be great. Greatness above all other factors will result in achieving your goals. If you gain a reputation as a strong leader who consistently delivers quality outcomes, you'll inevitably ascend the career ladder."

"Finally, be honest, be direct, and be a team player. By believing in yourself and your team, you'll achieve great things for your patients. Embrace the opportunities that working in a diverse workplace provides. When enough time has passed and enough barriers are breached, people will stop seeing us as 'male nurses' and simply as nurses."

McCarthy recently answered Men in Nursing's Fast Five.

1. What influences do you credit with helping you reach your goals in nursing?

The greatest influence on my career and life has been a tremendous thirst for knowledge. The time I spent obtaining my degrees only added to my quest for more knowledge. Because of this drive, I've been able to attain all of my early career goals. My Master's degree in nursing opened doors to nursing management, which in turn led me to obtain a Master's degree in business administration. The combination of these factors has led me to accept a position as the director of patient flow.

Part of my success at Maine Medical Center can be attributed to an amazing mentor, Sheila Parker, RN, associate vice president of nursing. She has constantly challenged me and provided opportunities for growth that I, in turn, will pass on to people that I mentor in the future.

2. Of the things your position enables you to accomplish, which ones are most important to you?

The greatest opportunity my position offers is the ability to create and manage change positively. The one constant in healthcare is change. Organizations are forced to reinvent themselves repeatedly to meet the changing demands of the healthcare environment. Nurse managers need to be acutely aware of their environment and create systems that are easily adaptable to the needs of their community.

3. What insights can you offer other men in nursing?

If nothing else, be yourself. If it's not in your nature to be overtly nurturing, don't fake it. Patients and families will see through it instantly and might perceive you as disingenuous. Instead, be polite and professional with a constant awareness of your emotions, taking care not to seem too cold or devoid of empathy.

Complaints I've received about male staff members have been related to handling patients too roughly. It's not because they're careless with patients. Typically, it has more to do with a technical rather than a strictly nurturing approach. For example, in my first year of nursing, a patient told me my technical nursing skills were good, but she was displeased because I hadn't offered to give her a back rub.

4. What career moves did you make to reach your current role?

Beyond my educational endeavors, the single most important factor in reaching my current position was to accept all challenges and deliver every time. A track-record of proven leadership is the easiest way into any management position. If a man wants to break into nursing management, he can wait until an opening occurs in his area of expertise, which will keep him in a comfortable area while he learns the rigors of management. He can also take the unit no one else wants and turn it around. Usually some background in the area is required, but under the right circumstances, the right opportunity may emerge.

5. Does your gender impact your role as a man in nursing? If so, how?

My gender has had an impact on my interactions with physicians. Over the years, I've seen a marked difference in how physicians address me (in terms of tone and body language), compared with how they address my female counterparts. By the time we all reach the management level, it's usually an equal playing field, because most seasoned female nurse managers won't tolerate physician intimidation.