Ever had a patient refuse you based on your gender?

Nurses Men

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It happened to me twice in one night, the funny thing is that it wasn't the patients refusing me it was their husbands. One of them was really rude about it, I felt like asking them if they had any other prejudices that I should be aware of when finding a replacement nurse. It just strikes me as being silly, most of them have male MD's, the majority of the Gyno's in my area are also male, and that is way more personal than anything that I'm going to be doing. So why is it such a taboo to have a male nurse. I know that some people have the belief that nursing is a woman's profession but men have been involved in nursing from the very start ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_in_nursing ). If you don't want me to provide your care because you don't like the way that I do it, then I can understand. However, I don't use my member in the performance of my job duties, so don't refuse me simply because I have one.

Never completely refused, some politely request a female for BR assistance and such. We'll see what the future holds.

That's why I enjoyed ER so much... most patients were too sick to care and I could just do my work.

I don't even know what the big deal is. Males are the ones who have the burden of being placed in an embarrassing situation; not the females. Female gossip is brutal regarding male counterparts. When it comes to female parts, there isn't anything to really talk about anyway.

Young female patients do not seem to have an issue with a young male nurse, even for pericare. Their parents are the ones who refuse it. When it comes to pericare, I'd be happy not to do it anyway.

I've been refused by more female nurses than patients during my OB rotation. Most of the nurses ignored the male students but we didn't really care unless it involved a c-sect/OR. I have had a few young parents during my rotation who didn't seem to care whether I was present or not.

Very excellent post and very true. Although would you care to elaborate on " Males are the ones who have the burden of

Being placed in an embarrassing situation;not the females. Female gossip is brutal regarding male counterparts.

Specializes in I.C.U., PACU, Endoscopy, Med Surg, E.R..

Man don't sweat it. Certainly, don't take it personally. It most likely wasn't about you as much as some internal conflict they had. They would have likely reacted that way with any male. It probably wasn't about you...it's likely about their issues. Hang in there.

I don't even know what the big deal is. Males are the ones who have the burden of being placed in an embarrassing situation; not the females. Female gossip is brutal regarding male counterparts. When it comes to female parts, there isn't anything to really talk about anyway.

Young female patients do not seem to have an issue with a young male nurse, even for pericare. Their parents are the ones who refuse it. When it comes to pericare, I'd be happy not to do it anyway.

I've been refused by more female nurses than patients during my OB rotation. Most of the nurses ignored the male students but we didn't really care unless it involved a c-sect/OR. I have had a few young parents during my rotation who didn't seem to care whether I was present or not.

That is an interesting observation " I've been refused by more female nurses than patients during my OB rotation".

" Female gossip is brutal regarding male counterparts" The guidelines of sexual impropriety according to every state

Board of nursing state that it is considered unprofessional conduct to make sexually demeaning comments "about or to "

a patient.

During my postpartum rotation, a charge nurse didn't want men on the floor. My instructor asked if I knew enough postpartum to pass the test, I said I did so I spent extra time in L&D and nursery. No objections from the nurses or patients.

I've had one female pt with dementia request a female nurse at work. The husband of a patient requested a female nurse one time until his wife found out and requested that I be assigned back to her.

Specializes in Public Hlth, ID, Med-Surg, Adult/Peds Comm Hlth.

I've had it happen to me numerous times! I work in a community health clinic and I have had patients request a female nurse and/or provider. Usually, they are of the Muslim faith or patients with a history of abuse, but there have been others. I try to never, ever take it personally since they do not me. I actually am a little jealous of my female co-workers as I rarely get to assist in procedures involving a female patient, as most of our providers are also male. The double standard that exists with female providers is a little annoying.

Specializes in Home Health.

I've never had a female completely refuse me as their nurse. Toileting assistance/ peri care is where I usually get refused.

I've had it happen to me numerous times! I work in a community health clinic and I have had patients request a female nurse and/or provider. Usually, they are of the Muslim faith or patients with a history of abuse, but there have been others. I try to never, ever take it personally since they do not me. I actually am a little jealous of my female co-workers as I rarely get to assist in procedures involving a female patient, as most of our providers are also male. The double standard that exists with female providers is a little annoying.

"The double standard that exists with female providers is a little annoying."

Annoying is a very weak word, discrimination is a more appropriate word!

yes

1. female pt w/ hx of rape

2. female pt b/c of pericare

3. female pt b/c of bathing

other experiences

1. male pt requested male to assist w/ bath (so i helped instead of the female NS)

2. male pt requested female to assist w/ bath instead of me

3. had a female older adult pt choose me to be her student nurse for the day intead of her current female student nurse

i try not to take it personally. its customer service. i tell myself to be professional. patient gets what the patient wants.

Just yesterday I had this happen to me twice.

I'm an STNA in a nursing home, and I gave a lady a shower. She was fine with it, but when the husband found out it was me who gave the shower, he went to everyone on the floor besides me and told them that he didn't want me to give her showers anymore. I wouldn't have cared so much but it was just the fact that he went behind my back and didn't have the decency to tell me to my face.

Right after that I went to get another woman up and ready so she could go eat breakfast. She refused to get up for me. So I went to tell another aide and when she went to get her up, the lady got up right away. When the aide asked her why she hated me so much, she said "I hate him because he's a guy!" Now the lady refuses to let me do anything for her. I tried answering her call light, and she made me go get another aide. And when I check on her roommate, she yells at me for being in the same room.

It does make it better that all the aides and nurses stick up for me, though. They were upset about both situations and the way the people acted. I'm just hoping that by the time I graduate, maybe there won't be so much prejudice towards male aides and nurses.

Specializes in Psych, MedSurg, Ortho, Rehab.

Good luck with that! I'm a male LVN and it happens to me too. Most Pt's are fine with me, as well as thier spouses/friends, but there are always some that prefer someone of the same sex. I figure it's a different generations mentality, but you also have to consider psychiatric problems.

Specializes in Psych, Derm,Eye,Ortho,Prison,Surg,Med,.

When it comes to giving a pill or changing a dressing, any gender may preside.

But, when it comes to very personal care involving breasts and genitalia, it would be prudent to have a female nurse, attendant or doctor perform the function. Don't set yourself up for a lawsuit.

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