Gay male nurse concern about male patient care

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  1. This is a discussion on Gay male nurse concern about male patient care in Male Nursing Student, part of Nursing Student ... Hello everyone! I will be joining the nursing workforce in a couple of months specializing in...

    by Dec 26, '12
    Hello everyone!

    I will be joining the nursing workforce in a couple of months specializing in urological needs (I am not going into med/surg). As a gay male, I am concerned that some male patients will react adversely when they suspect or realize that I am gay. I understand many patients will not care and will understand that I am there to help them and it is not some sick joke. This is particularly personal for the patient given the specialty (Urology).

    I would like to know how other male nurses have handled situations where a straight male patient has refused or made it very uncomfortable for you to do your job. I do not expect the approval of every patient… just looking for pointers on how to manage this type of situation in a professional manner.

    Everyone, please tell me what you think or would do. Thank you!
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    by Devon Rex Dec 26, '12 4:34 pm
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  3. 44 Comments so far...

  4. Dec 26, '12 by
    Are you really expecting a patients approval of who you are? If a patient needs surgery, and the top surgeon in the office is gay, is the patient really going to be like ”Sorry, you're gay, you can't remove my spleen.”

    I wouldn't believe it even if I heard it.
  5. Dec 26, '12 by
    That is not what I am concerned about.

    I'll be working at a doctor's office. As I said before, I'm not expecting approval from patients of who I am privately. I'm looking for advice on how to handle a situation (professionally) I know I will be facing in the future.

    Thanks.
    Last edit by Devon Rex on Dec 26, '12
  6. Dec 26, '12 by
    I understand your concerns completely, just remain professional in all circumstances. I have personally witnessed pts questioning the motives\intentions of some nurses.
  7. Dec 26, '12 by
    Quote from Devon Rex
    That is not what I am concerned about.

    I'll be working at a doctor's office. As I said before, I'm not expecting approval from patients of who I am privately. I'm looking for advice on how to handle a situation (professionally) I know I will be facing in the future.

    Thanks.
    Oops, I totally misread the last part of your original post. Sorry about that.
  8. Dec 27, '12 by
    Be professional and do a great job. Thats all anyone can expect or want from a nurse.
    The rest is none of the patients business.
    andrewschultz, RunnerRN2b2014, and Devon Rex like this.
  9. Dec 27, '12 by
    I say you should just do your job to the besy of your ability. I'm going to sound like an ******* when I say this, but if the patient has that much of an issue that he can't let you do your job, to hell with the patient then! In my opinion, there is no way to professionally handle a gay/straight (nurse/patient) situation. Im sure onebof your future colleagues will be happy to switch patients with you! (:
    Devon Rex likes this.
  10. Dec 27, '12 by
    Some females don't want men to assist them. Some men don't want women to assist them. Some people don't want nurse of another race to help. Some men don't want gay men to assist them - oh well. It's part of the job and part of the culture. If possible, then switch with another nurse.
    stardust80916, Jordan100, KelRN215, and 1 other like this.
  11. Dec 27, '12 by
    I'm straight, but if you have that gay voice and are all flamboyant about your gayness it would make me uncomfortable. I really have no issues with women, but I don't act weird either.
    Devon Rex likes this.
  12. Dec 27, '12 by
    Quote from truckinusa
    I'm straight, but if you have that gay voice and are all flamboyant about your gayness it would make me uncomfortable. I really have no issues with women, but I don't act weird either.
    Naturally some gay men are just slightly more feminine than straight men. Just saying...
    Jordan100 and funfunfun550 like this.