OB Rotation is Hell

Nursing Students Male Students

Published

I am a male nursing student. I am doing well in school overall and acing my Med surg rotations--However, my OB rotation is pure hell! i feel useless and out of place. They tossed me out of a Birthing room today because I was in the way of the doctor and nurse! They make me feel like a jerk and like I dont belong there--I dont want to fail this rotation because --right now I feel like a incompetant idiot! What are your thoughts about OB and Male nurses?

Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
This topic has me a little hot under the collar. What if a patient didn't want to be treated by a black nurse? Could they say, Hey, I feel a little uncomfortable with that black chick here, can you go get me a korean?

I don't think that would fly.

It's fine to say that a man can't be in the room, though.

I'm a competent clinical performer and have received high praise from my instructors for the past year. Suddenly, I'm not qualified to work in the Bajingo Ward.

Hey al..chill a bit babe! Race has absolutely nothing to do with this situation..Gender does!

It IS fine for a woman to elect not to have a male present, or performing procedures during labour, delivery and post partum. Its her choice, and her history may play a part. While some women will just be so relieved for ANYONE to help, remember others may have been abused etc, and allow them that choice, without feeling bad towards them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

algebra does make a pretty valid point.

major discrimination issues are based on age, race, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, and disability status.

sex is the only one that is routinely allowed in nursing. while i understand why, it's still discrimination.

edit: it's a job. i'm a professional. i'm competent and well trained. while i'm at work, and especially on l&d, is about the only time i have zero interest in seeing a lady parts, but i have to do it to get thru nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Med/Surg.

I agree with Algebra,

Discrimination is discrimination. What if someone *DID* have bad history with a black person, and didn't feel comfortable with them treating them. That isn't as valid as a woman not being comfortable with a man?

Good point.

Pat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I am a woman, have two kids, and have zero interest in L&D. I do not wish to watch the birthing process, I didn't even want to mine when the nurse offerred a mirror. Besides, I am one that thinks it is a natural process and there are too many medical interventions in childbirth.....but that is a rant for another time.

As for some of the comments above, when I was in labor, I did not want a man (doctor or nurse) in the room. With my first I was in a big teaching hospital, and it must have been slow because there were so many people in the room. I was very upset at being the center of attention with my bare everything flapping in the wind (they say you won't be embarrassed in the moment, but I was horrified) and they never even bothered to ask if it was ok. I was too busy pushing and in pain to even say anything. I felt very vulnerable, and it was made worse by the men in the room, though I would have felt uncomfortable with a large group of women. But that is MY choice. Every woman has that choice, and her feelings are real and valid. Part of it is that I was raped. Part of it is that I am modest and of the belief that only my husband should touch me and see me naked. I don't have to justify myself. Honestly, I am surprised that many men would even want to work in L&D.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Every woman has that choice, and her feelings are real and valid. Part of it is that I was raped. Part of it is that I am modest and of the belief that only my husband should touch me and see me naked.
I'm a nursing student, but when I was in the hospital last year I insisted on only male nurses. Ohh the female nurses were pissed lol. I made it a point to say that since as a male CNA I wasn't 'good' enough to work in L&D that I didn't think women would be good enough to work on me.

There is this big disparity between men and women. It is getting wider every year. I think once a women refuses a male nurse, she shouldn't get any male nurse or doctor. If a male nurse isn't good enough, that male surgeon that could save your life isn't good enough.

The reason this goes on is because society has allowed it. If the country said "No more. This ends right now. You can't discriminate based on gender." women would get over it. Just like in the 40s when black nurses started circulating. It is the same issue.

When a patient tells me they aren't comfortable with a male, I tell them it is ok and then do absolutely nothing for them. If they need water, help, education or anything else, they have to wait for a female to become free. Our DON and BON addressed this issue for us because we had a shift with only men. The DON and ADON, who were the only females on shift, would not do patient care. The patients had to take us or no care at all.

Sexism is just as bad as racism.

Just think of it this way, the next time a man looks at a women in any other job than nursing and indicates that he isn't comfortable with a women handling 'his case, working on his car, or performing surgery on him,' think about how that makes you feel inside. Then remember how a lot of men feel

I don't have to justify myself. Honestly, I am surprised that many men would even want to work in L&D.
When my grandfather tried to be a pilot in WW2, they told him this same crap. They said, "Honestly, why would a Negro want to be a pilot. Negro's aren't good at that sort of thing. You would do better as a cook than a pilot.

God what a bunch of crap. You don't have to justify yourself. It doesn't change the fact that you are still sexist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

That is not being sexist. I feel very comfortable with male doctors and nurse and CNA's in general. I know some great male nurses. A good friend of mine who is a guy is in nursing school right now. I would trust him with my life....doesn't mean I want him to ses me in my most vulnerable. I have no problem with a man doing anything as long as it isn't an OBGYN issue. I cannot help that I do not feel comfortable with a man doing these things, and I am not about to make myself uncomfortable to the point of massive anxiety to make you or any other nurse feel better. I also asked a female nurse at my second delivery to leave, that I did not want her working with me because 1)she was rude, nasty and condescending and 2)she touched me (did a lady partsl exam) without informing or asking permission first. That is my right as a patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing.

Just finished my first day in Couplet Care today. Got the brush-off from the nurses there and ended up sitting in the hallway with my classmate, another guy. We took two BP's each and were told there's nothing else to do. No orientation to the unit, no teaching, just go sit in the hallway.

If I would have thought of it at the time I could have gone to the CI and asked for a different unit.

Pretty pathetic on the part of the nurses on the unit. And they spoke nothing but Tagalog all day so I gave up on listening to them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am currently attending OB/GYN at a small ADN program in Texas. I'm an older guy and I have a lot of clinical experience through an interning program. When you walk into a room don't be a wallflower. Really try to help with what you know is not wrong. If you don't do anything else, walk in and put gloves on. I really think that the guy standing in the corner with his hands in his pockets or with a clipboard is the first one asked to leave. Big point with floor nurses. I tell every preceptor that I will do anything I can to help, and in return please come and get me for any learning experience. You might be surprised how far some small thing like helping grab a pitcher of water or grabbing a phone will do. If you ever tell a floor nurse that something like making a bed or taking a vital is below you, get ready for the brushoff. You need to remember that a majority of nursing is the little stuff. Getting a chair for a person to visit their neighbor or showing someone where another unit is. Now I not going to lie to you about the gender thing. This past week I had an RN tell me that she was going to go into the room of a normal vag delivery and ask if I could be present for her assessment. I told her that no one had to go in before me to ask if it was ok for an intern to cathterize a female pt or any other procedure. Often, the RN creates a problem by asking. Teaching hospitals require pts to sign a waiver allowing students to be present. They don't ask if they care about males, females, or others. I really think it is wrong for the RN to make an issue of my gender. If the pt feels strongly enough about males, then that needs to be addressed before they sign a waiver. Now, if they ask for me to leave, I'm gone. They still have a right be treated by female staff. I just think it is wrong for the primary to make an issue of the gender of the student.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had the exact same problem in my ob rotation! It's not so much the birthing mothers that cared if I was there to watch, the husbands/boyfriends usually objected. I'm a young guy, so obviously that had a huge impact on the way I was treated. Fortunately my ob instructor was very accomodating, and she even warned me that this would probably happen. So, she tried to find me alternate assignments, and if that didn't work, I just read charts all freaking day in the nursing station. But really, they can not fail you because the patients aren't comfortable with a male nurse. So attempt to be proactive, but if you're shot down, then to heck with them I say! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I only have 4 more clinical days left! What a horrible experience...

I was not allowed to watch a vag birth (only c-section) and I had to defer parts of my assessment. I think it should be up to the pt, weather or not they want a guy performing a full assessment on them. When I had med/surg the female RN students didn't go through this. The pts are fine, the babies are fine...the RNs who work on this unit make it very clear that we are not wanted. Except when muscle is needed. It's ok, just wait until I fill out my evaluation.

My highlight...when I left the pt's bedside and the female RN pulled the drape and whispered to me "you can leave now". Before I left the room I heard the pt say "did he leave yet? I had a question for the Dr."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

Man - I must have lucked out. Three of the five nursing students in my rotation were guys. I figured since I was at a small community hospital we wouldn't see anything. Just the opposite! There were no refusals and I saw a ton of v and c deliveries. Very cool experience overall. The funny thing was that some of the nurses said they would never let a guy work there. I suppose some people believe sexism is the way to go.

I'm in grad school now and I have another OB rotation coming up next fall. Let's hope I have the same good luck with patients.

-S

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

I'm one of 2 guys in my class and we're both 41. It's just luck of the draw, in our L&D rotation there wasn't 1 baby born! There were 6 laboring mothers, and 4 allowed us in the room ... although 1 of mine (17yo) suddenly got shy... Her mom said "shoulda shown some modesty 9 months ago", I had to look away to not show my smirk. I did respect her privacy but, did stay to observe and assist the RN just avoided being right in the business.

The RN was great, she verbally walked me through each and every process in text book fashion.

I don't understand it, everyone wants the best trained but then isn't willing to allow students (male or female).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment