Male vs. Female

Nurses General Nursing

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male vs. female......i don't see any reason why a male nurse should start a foley on a female pt. unless it is an emergency. i have no problem with a female coworker asking me to cath. their male pt.'s. i will always see if a female coworker will perform this procedure on my female pt's. i am about to graduate in may with my adn. i just want to get the general census about this. :uhoh3:

03.29.04

thank you all for your comments. this was a class assignment and i wanted to start a little controversy so i would get some response. for the most part i really like the professional replies. i look forward to becoming an rn and agree with all of you that commented its up to the patient, and it's all about the patient. one of my main reasons for becoming a nurse is the holistic care we provide. god bless you all.

I don't understand why we continue to perpetrate this myth that men are animals ready to pounce on the first exposed female they see.

NurseRachet! I thank you for that observation.

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NurseRachet! I thank you for that observation.

Yes no kidding, whats the hell is wrong with this picture. I am so perturbed by this "Great Divide". I took my training, met the boards, did my clinicals, got the crap beaten outta me by little old ladies.....lol.... and yet this quandary, jeesh, and you wonder why men aren't flocking to nursing. This perpetuation I think is being honoured, bred by the ladies, frankly I care less who I cath, if they need it, the order exists, they consent........Then in I go with a foley tray, and "2" foleys in case I miss........Just my thoughts......Thanks for listening......... :p :wavey

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I work on a peds floor and have only been in the situation one time where I had a teenage boy who needed to be cathed. I know this is a very difficult time for them, so I asked a male coworker to do the cath. Being so close to the ages of the patients makes both the patient and myself a bit uncomfortable, but I would cath a male if there was no alternative.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I also understand that L&D is a different world and to some extent this issue is easier for me because when I introduce myself the patient understands that Ill be performing these types of procedures.

Excellent point. Most ladies go into labor and delivery with the idea that that time is not the time to be modest. That the general public and nurses themselves don't look upon males as equal in all areas is indeed something that we can go on and on and on about.

(For me personally, I'd let anyone cath me. But I would definately be more comfortable with a male. But when you think about it, it's a task, no different than starting an IV, it just takes a professional. )

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Isnt it the pts comfort level what its all about

and also, I have seen several males who have been nailed by women for cathing them. even for doing ekgs on them and exposing them just a little.

Sorry thats one hassle I dont need

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Well........I have no problem putting a catheter in a female. Generally if they need the damn thing now, they don't usually complain!!!!

I would, obviously, give them the option of a female nurse, but most of them are comfortable with me.

JUST ONE THING!!!!.......it's easier in men cos u can't miss :rotfl:

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Sheeesh... how on earth did I miss THIS thread ? :chuckle

OK, my turn... I must agree with others who say it is about PATIENT comfort.. not our own feelings and indignities. No matter how WE feel about it, regardless of the title beheind our names and the years of hard study.... we need to get over ourselves long enough to anticipate the patient's feelings regarding this procedure. It is what it is, and some people will always be bothered by it, and then there will be those who aren't in the least bit fazed by it ... but it is the CONSIDERATE thing to do to at least inquire as to a preference.

Depends on so many factors.. age, religion, geographical area, cultural upbringing, one's own personal hangups perhaps, and then there are some who may have been wickedly sexually abused and would never breathe it to another human being, yet having a man come near them in this manner may well strike terror in her heart or send her emotionally over the edge... So many things to consider.

'Cuz although I'm quite UNprudish about my body, and will still skinnydip in heartbeat if given the chance, and think nothing of dropping my drawers in nature to relieve myself if I must....... when it comes to THAT.. (meaning foley insertion)... or any other poking or prodding down there :rolleyes: ....

heck, I don't even like a woman messing with me "down there", much less a man ! And yes, I chose a female PA as my PCP who also does all my OB/GYN... and it STILL irks me... but it would irk me MORE if it were a male.

It IS about the patient... and he/she is more than just a BODY... I think we are responsible for taking the patient's EMOTIONAL comfort level into consideration at all times, and leaving our personal feelings about it behind.

It takes nothing to simply inquire as to whether they are comfortable with a male performing this procedure. And take it from there.

Just my take on it.

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Sheeesh... how on earth did I miss THIS thread ? :chuckle

OK, my turn... I must agree with others who say it is about PATIENT comfort.. not our own feelings and indignities. No matter how WE feel about it, regardless of the title beheind our names and the years of hard study.... we need to get over ourselves long enough to anticipate the patient's feelings regarding this procedure. It is what it is, and some people will always be bothered by it, and then there will be those who aren't in the least bit fazed by it ... but it is the CONSIDERATE thing to do to at least inquire as to a preference.

Depends on so many factors.. age, religion, geographical area, cultural upbringing, one's own personal hangups perhaps, and then there are some who may have been wickedly sexually abused and would never breathe it to another human being, yet having a man come near them in this manner may well strike terror in her heart or send her emotionally over the edge... So many things to consider.

'Cuz although I'm quite UNprudish about my body, and will still skinnydip in heartbeat if given the chance, and think nothing of dropping my drawers in nature to relieve myself if I must....... when it comes to THAT.. (meaning foley insertion)... or any other poking or prodding down there :rolleyes: ....

heck, I don't even like a woman messing with me "down there", much less a man ! And yes, I chose a female PA as my PCP who also does all my OB/GYN... and it STILL irks me... but it would irk me MORE if it were a male.

It IS about the patient... and he/she is more than just a BODY... I think we are responsible for taking the patient's EMOTIONAL comfort level into consideration at all times, and leaving our personal feelings about it behind.

It takes nothing to simply inquire as to whether they are comfortable with a male performing this procedure. And take it from there.

Just my take on it.

In the dept I work in...there aren't any male RNs. What do you think should be done in this instance? :)

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Sheeesh... how on earth did I miss THIS thread ? :chuckle

OK, my turn... I must agree with others who say it is about PATIENT comfort.. not our own feelings and indignities. No matter how WE feel about it, regardless of the title beheind our names and the years of hard study.... we need to get over ourselves long enough to anticipate the patient's feelings regarding this procedure. It is what it is, and some people will always be bothered by it, and then there will be those who aren't in the least bit fazed by it ... but it is the CONSIDERATE thing to do to at least inquire as to a preference.

Depends on so many factors.. age, religion, geographical area, cultural upbringing, one's own personal hangups perhaps, and then there are some who may have been wickedly sexually abused and would never breathe it to another human being, yet having a man come near them in this manner may well strike terror in her heart or send her emotionally over the edge... So many things to consider.

'Cuz although I'm quite UNprudish about my body, and will still skinnydip in heartbeat if given the chance, and think nothing of dropping my drawers in nature to relieve myself if I must....... when it comes to THAT.. (meaning foley insertion)... or any other poking or prodding down there :rolleyes: ....

heck, I don't even like a woman messing with me "down there", much less a man ! And yes, I chose a female PA as my PCP who also does all my OB/GYN... and it STILL irks me... but it would irk me MORE if it were a male.

It IS about the patient... and he/she is more than just a BODY... I think we are responsible for taking the patient's EMOTIONAL comfort level into consideration at all times, and leaving our personal feelings about it behind.

It takes nothing to simply inquire as to whether they are comfortable with a male performing this procedure. And take it from there.

Just my take on it.

I guess I would agree with this as long as on the same note, every single male patient is being asked if he's comfortable with a female performing a the procedure.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
I guess I would agree with this as long as on the same note, every single male patient is being asked if he's comfortable with a female performing a the procedure.

uh..... that would be fine in my book IF it was feeible to do so... IF there were enough male staff to accomodate. And personally, I'd feel more comfortable FOR THE PATIENT myself, if that were the case, but since women still outnumber the guys in this profession, I think most male patients understand there's not a whole lot of choice there.

So it's kind of a non issue... why ask if you can't deliver the goods?

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uh..... that would be fine in my book IF it was feeible to do so... IF there were enough male staff to accomadate. And personally, I'd feel more comfortable FOR THE PATIENT myself, if that were the case, but since women still outnumber the guys in this profession, I think most male patients understand there's not a whole lot of choice there.

So it's kind of a non issue... why ask if you can't deliver the goods?

Thats exactly my point. If you go to do the procedure, and the patient says on their own they want a male or female to do it, then thats what thing, and you do what you can do. I just dont' see the point of asking them, like you said, if you don't have a male there, then it can't be done by one. On the same note, a male nurse shouldn't have to ask every single female patient he comes into contact with whether or not she would prefer a female. From my experience so far as a CNA, its not really an issue with most patients unless someone tries to make it one. Just my two cents.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Thats exactly my point. If you go to do the procedure, and the patient says on their own they want a male or female to do it, then thats what thing, and you do what you can do. I just dont' see the point of asking them, like you said, if you don't have a male there, then it can't be done by one. On the same note, a male nurse shouldn't have to ask every single female patient he comes into contact with whether or not she would prefer a female. From my experience so far as a CNA, its not really an issue with most patients unless someone tries to make it one. Just my two cents.

Yeah...I get ya. I concede.

I guess it's not so much actually "inquiring" about a preference really, as it is perhaps picking up on their vibes, or even making an effort to notice possible discomfort with it. I guess that's more where I'm coming from. And making an attempt to accomodate if at all possible... for THEIR comfort, even if it adds an extra minute or two for us to arrange a "swap".

I just always like to remind myself I'm dealing with more than just a "body".

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