Awkward moment?

[Soran]

So I'm a male nursing student, I graduate in a couple days. I precepted in the ICU and I personally have no issue with going in and doing bed baths and such, genitalia isn't an issue for me. Do any male nurses feel awkward performing baths on females that are totally with it, but perhaps incapable of doing it herself? I only ask because when I was completing this task during a precepting I had a patient that wasn't able to do it herself, but completely alert and everything, was just there for very close monitoring. I hadn't thought anything of it, until the PCA said to me when I walked out of the room she wouldn't feel comfortable if I was her nurse performing a bed bath on her unless she was sedated and didn't even know it was going on.

[DiplomaNurseRN]

When I started in the 'dark ages' I worked on a hospital Med-Surg unit for two years before I was assigned my first female patient. After that, no sweat. Yet, up and to my last female patient before I retired, I always introduced myself as the primary care giver and that if the patient was uncomfortable having a male perform any aspect of her care (within reason) I would find a female nurse to assist her. The male nurse should at least give them a choice. Most didnt mind, they just wanted good care...No big deal, no problem.

[jtboy29]

It is slightly awkward being a male nursing student and having to do any sort of patient care on a woman especially the ones that are fully alert and awake it makes it that much harder. I've had female patients tell nurses at the facility that they don't want a male nursing student working on them. Do I take it to offense? Nope. It is there preference as a patient then I have those that the husband would be like "He's a student nurse, let him give you the shot he's learning" and then that would convince his wife to let me do what I need to do as a nursing student. I pointed out to a nurse asking if I should ask the female patient if she prefers a female giving her the shot to what she replied "You're a nurse and you've got a job to do" which is true. Luckily patients understand that because it's a learning environment for any nursing student. Next time you have a situation like that, like the others would say CYA by having a female nursing student or even nurse you're working with (female) of course because anyone can scream "Harassment" when you're simply just doing your job. Communicating is key too that's why in school they stress "explaining the procedure" to your patient so that they know what you are doing and be all "Surprise" when you have to do peri-care or give a bed bath.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

One thing I learned and that helps out a lot is to be assertive and don't offer a female nurse to the patient. Let's say you have to do a foley catheter on a female patient. Instead of asking, "is it okay for me to place the F/C or would you prefer a female to do it" ask this instead, "I will have to place a foley catheter (and let them know why of course)." I leave it up to the patient or request the female nurse. If she does, so be it, if not I'll do it. Same goes for a bed bath or any other procedure involving private parts. I learned that during my maternity rotation. My preceptor said as a male student/nurse, don't offer options between you and another female nurse unless requested by the patient. Simple as that.