What do the male nurses do to prevent sexual assault accusations?

[SkySoldier]

I am a nursing student about to graduate in 3 months and I keep running into nurses who are scarying the crap out of me about being a male nurse. I am getting the feeling that women patients seem to feel more comfortable with male docs but not male nurses for some reason. I have had another run in with an ICU nurse today while visiting a family member who told me this horror story about an EKG tech she had worked with for over ten years being accused and fired over a supposed fondling while placing an electrode. She told me to be extremely careful and plan on a second career because she wouldn't be supprised if at some point some patient successfully sues me for assault. I am tired of hearing this kind of stuff. Is this really that big of a concern for male nurses? And if so what what do I need to do to avoid it?

I have already start performing my assessments differently such as not placing a stethoscope in a gown to listen to lungs/heart sounds. I bought a high end scope so I could try and listen through gowns, but I feel that at some point it will affect the care I give because I am so paranoid I am going to run into someone who misinterprets something I do or is just out to get paid. While in the Army, I had to have a chaparone while working with female patients but I doubt that is not an option in an ED or ICU where I want to work. Any advice?

[ItsTheDude]

the reality is you can't ALWAYS have an observer/witness. some employers and co-workers will frown on it as well, b/c other nurses and cna's aren't there to be your babysitter every time you have a female patient.

a lot of it depends on who the male nurse is and who the accuser is. i've seen females accuse males of things and frankly most are laughable. some of the guys are flamers, some female accusers are grotesque (a troll wouldn't touch them), etc.

with that said, if your employer/boss is unhappy with you, it gives them an easy out to get rid of you.

tip: NEVER, comment on how attractive any female patient is or give them extra attention/care. your co-workers will pick up on it and if an accusation happens, you've help dig your own grave, whether something happened or not.

[Intern67]

Any advice?

I find that my attitude and demeanor help avoid any problems. Fully explain what you are doing when working with all patients and make sure any concerns they have are aired.

When I worked in the nursing home, quite a few people who had problems with my gender came around very quickly after they saw how I worked. (The quality of services of my coworkers probably had a lot to do with this). Women who at first didn't want me in their room were later willing to cut cards to get me as their CNA. Same goes for men.

I use the same approach in hospital clinicals and have had similar positive results.

Of course, some just preferred to not have men work with them. Their wishes were always granted.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I have done some duty trading, and I also take a female staff person with me if I have to go into an area where I might have to examine a female.

[djaychris]

The answer to your question would be......don't sexually harrass/assault anybody.

Seriously though, almost every male nurse I know who's even been accused of sexual assault deserved it. I'm not saying that wrongful accusations don't occur, but I doubt it is the danger you are perceiving it to be. There are many males in the field these days. I make sure to treat my female coworks with respect....no winks...no addressing them as "honey" or "pumpkin" (yes I have heard my male colleagues do so), no back rubs, no comments about how great they look. Treat your female colleagues professionally, and they will likely do the same for you. As for the women who direct wrongful accusations at innocent males, there is a special place in hell for them. Being subject to a sexual harrassment accusation can be INCREDIBLY damaging for somebody regardless of their innocence. It is often associated with a stigma that does not easily go away.

**EDIT**I see you are referring to patient accusations and not coworkers (duh!). In that case, much of the advice on this thread is sound. I have always outright refused to take part in OB/GYN exams, and most hospitals will only allow a female to do so anyway. If I am caring for a psych patient who is making inappropriate and/or sexual comments, I will not even enter the room without another female present. If you are ever in doubt about how a patient is handling a situation, bring another nurse (female) with you. It is your right to refuse to put yourself in a potentially harmful situation.