Male OB Frustration

[IKnowYouRider]

I'm currently in my OB rotation for clinicals and lecture. The first two days of clinical I was in L&D and I had an awesome experience (witnessed a couple deliveries, worked with the fetal monitor, started foleys/IVs). The apprehension and disinterest that preceded going into the semester started to fade and I was beginning to really enjoy the clincal experience.

That's why yesterday hit me by surprise. I was in the post-partum unit and the nurse I was assigned to was SO awkward about everything. She didn't want me to check the fundus (with or without her being in the room), she didn't feel I should be in the room while she gave an IM injection of Depo in the upper thigh (which I'm more than capable of doing), and she even excused me from the room when teaching the patient discharge instructions (like lochia color, amount, etc.).

This frustrates me even more knowing that I've been working as a nurse tech for 6 months now while in school and I give female clients baths, and insert caths almost every shift.

I understand that this was only one day, and the only thing that's been damaged is my pride and ego, but its hard not to feel embarassed/belittled by the situation.

If anything, this is just a rant like most posts on here and I'll be appreciative of even one comment! =-)

Peace,

Dave

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Im sorry you are having the frustration you are, howeve as a woman (if I was having a baby) I would NOT want you in the room while discussing lochia color. And I certainly would NOT want you checking my fundus!! It would make me feel just icky, self conscious and very uncomfortable when Im already not feeling my "best". The patients in OB may be exhausted, overwhelmed and feeling vulnerable. Its not about you, its about them. Please keep their feelings and needs in mind.

While you may feel the nurse you were with was "awkward", I'm betting she was just trying to protect her patients well being by providing a safe and supporting environment.

I really don't feel Im saying anything you shouldn't aready know...

Oh give me a break. This is the kind of thinking that keeps guys from going in more and more. I had to do all those "icky" things you said on my pts and you know what, it was no big deal. It is a simple question and a simple palpation. The stigma surrounding what you are doing is hyped way too much.

[Trenia]

A couple years ago, I had to go to the ER for severe cramping and other reasons. I ended up having to get a foley for whatever reason, and the ER nurse asked me if it was okay if a male nursing student observed her instructing 2 female nursing students to put in the foley. I always say yes when they ask to let students watch. I figure I am not the first naked patient they have seen and I won't be the last.

So, fast forward a few minutes... the student nurses are having a hard time locating my urethra, and the ER nurse is trying to direct them. The male nurse, quiet and just watching up until this point, smiles at me and exclaims "Wow! You have such a strange anatomy!" .........

That ER nurse was so PO'd! She said, "XXX, will you help me find a tube..." and rushed him out of there and he didn't come back.

I started to cry until the ER nurse told me about how every lady is different, etc. Or maybe that's what they tell the freaky anatomy girls like me, I haven't started NS yet :)

Anyway, so unfortunately I can't let the guys look at my ladyparts anymore. Sorry fellas

I can't understand that situation, so I won't pretend like I can. But that just seems like an isolated incident that any naive nursing student could have said, male or female. I don't think it's fair to punish all male NS for one person's mistake. Reversing the roles, I imagine I would have been a little uncomfortable had a female NS said something like that to me. I don't think I'd give up on all female NS though, as if we had a choice lol. I hope not at least.

[samirish]

Oh give me a break. This is the kind of thinking that keeps guys from going in more and more. I had to do all those "icky" things you said on my pts and you know what, it was no big deal. It is a simple question and a simple palpation. The stigma surrounding what you are doing is hyped way too much.

Im sorry you feel that way but you can not get around the fact that a certain percentage of the women patients in OB are NOT going to feel comfortable with a male nurse. Those are the facts and you should respect the patients preference whether or not they coincide with YOUR preference.

[LIG RN]

Im sorry you feel that way but you can not get around the fact that a certain percentage of the women patients in OB are NOT going to feel comfortable with a male nurse. Those are the facts and you should respect the patients preference whether or not they coincide with YOUR preference.

Well, a certain percentage of women patients had NO problem with a male getting them to an OB floor in the first place. OMG... You write like YOU have a golden ***** and speak for all women.

How many babies have you had?

How embarrassed would you be if a male asked you about your stool?

How about your menstrual cycle?

How about if you perform self breast exams?

How about if you practice safe sex?

[samirish]

Well, a certain percentage of women patients had NO problem with a male getting them to an OB floor in the first place. OMG... You write like YOU have a golden v@#$%a and speak for all women.

How many babies have you had?

How embarrassed would you be if a male asked you about your stool?

How about your menstrual cycle?

How about if you perform self breast exams?

How about if you practice safe sex?

I am only speaking for myself and for the women who prefer not to have male nurses in the OB. Im sorry this is so upsetting to you but it is my preference and there are other women out there that feel the same way.

[LIG RN]

I am sorry that you think the earth is flat... I am upset, no. I am glad my fellow males will not have to triple glove:eek:

[samirish]

Well, a certain percentage of women patients had NO problem with a male getting them to an OB floor in the first place. OMG... You write like YOU have a golden v@#$%a and speak for all women.

How many babies have you had?

How embarrassed would you be if a male asked you about your stool?

How about your menstrual cycle?

How about if you perform self breast exams?

How about if you practice safe sex?

Really, there is no reason for you to lash out with personal attacks. Its a discussion pure and simple. There is really no need for juvenile name calling. I will refrain from responding further as I can see how much this is upsetting you.

good luck and peace

[LIG RN]

Well, so it appears you don't like Filipino nurses, overweight people, prisioners and male nurses. And you are not even in nursing school.

And still did not answer my questions.

[workingharder]

LIG,

Your posts are taking on an unprofessional air. If you are a nursing student than you were taught from day one that we (nurses; male and female) are there for the benefit of the patient, not the other way around. Remember-- patient advocate? If a female patient wants to have a female nurse it is entirely within her rights to have a female nurse.

There are dozens of areas in nursing where males can excel. Your world or the world in general is not going to grind to a halt if OB is not one of them.

I'm an old guy that has learned to choose his battles, you should do likewise.

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

Hi GUYS!

I am an OB nursing professor....I have 6 male students in my class. They are required to do everything that their female counterparts do. They attend deliveries, do postpartum exam, and even put in catheters (gasp!). It is wrong to discriminate against male students in the OB area.....just as it is illegal to discriminate in hiring practices of males in the OB area. Did you all know that? It's sexual discrimination....and is illegal. You don't hear a lot about it because, first of all, most guys never apply to OB.....they are only too glad to get out of the area......and judging from most of these posts of your experiences, I can hardly blame you.

By the way, very FEW women complain. It is truly rare. When they do, I simply reassign the student (to a similar experience).

[stefanyjoy]

I can't understand that situation, so I won't pretend like I can. But that just seems like an isolated incident that any naive nursing student could have said, male or female. I don't think it's fair to punish all male NS for one person's mistake. Reversing the roles, I imagine I would have been a little uncomfortable had a female NS said something like that to me. I don't think I'd give up on all female NS though, as if we had a choice lol. I hope not at least.

If it makes you feel any better, a whole room full of nursing students got to watch my delivery in 2005, mostly guys! I think it was because I was a very timid patient and they figured I'd be too shy to protest. The hospital I go to is a huge teaching hospital. I wish you guys luck your OB rotations.

[LIG RN]

LIG,

Your posts are taking on an unprofessional air. If you are a nursing student than you were taught from day one that we (nurses; male and female) are there for the benefit of the patient, not the other way around. Remember-- patient advocate? If a female patient wants to have a female nurse it is entirely within her rights to have a female nurse.

There are dozens of areas in nursing where males can excel. Your world or the world in general is not going to grind to a halt if OB is not one of them.

I'm an old guy that has learned to choose his battles, you should do likewise.

First ... I am a male nursing student posting in the male nursing student thread. Followed by posting in a category entitled "Male OB Frustration"...Does this sound like it's going to be a warm and fuzzy topic?

Second...If you wish to lecture someone on "Professionalism", I will gladly give you the name and number of my OB instructor and I am sure other males on here would do the same.

Third...Please show me exactly where I decided to throw being a patient advocate out the window. I was simply stating the fact of "samirish" trying to stereotype women was absurd. She could have easily found and cited some research topics off of pubmed or something.

Fourth... Since you wish to remind me what is learned in nursing school, let me reeducate you on never giving up your "Scope of Practice", whether to another medical discipline OR someone else in the Nursing profession.

Fifth...What, cause I am a Male I should be limited to positions of ICU, ER or patient lifter.

Sixth...Hopefully, one day when I am a older, wiser male nurse, I will still have the gusto to stick up for myself instead of coming off as a Gelding.