Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

So far as a student, I've seen it go both ways...

During one of my first clinicals, I was working with another student (who's female) in assisting ADL's with an elderly woman. When it was time for a bedbath, she declined. We even asked if she'd be more comfortable if I left. She still politely refused. I eventually left to take care of other matters. Afterwards, when chatting with my partner, I find that the patient changed her mind once I left. Didn't phase me at all. I continued providing care for that patient for the rest of the shift. At the end of the shift, she expressed her thanks several times to both of us.

Another instance, I was with a preceptor (female) who had been a nurse for more than 20 years. We went into an older woman's room to start the day and get her preped for a procedure. Everything went fine. Once we were out of the room, the preceptor said, "boy, she really liked you." Which I found pretty surprising since I wasn't doing too much regarding interpersonal communication. I asked why she felt that, and she offered that sometimes people look to the male as the leader, regardless of their actual position. (I was introduced as a student, so the patient knew I was a rookie). During subsequent interactions, I watched the patient, and sure enough, she always looked at me after the nurse provided instruction/care/etc. as if to get my stamp of approval.

I've even seen some interesting reactions on the part of the male patients. In one instance, there was a male pt. who had been fairly difficult during the day. At that particular moment, he needed to get out of bed and to a bedside commode (which he had requested). Apparently, during an earlier attempt, the patient was uncooperative and was not doing much to assist in his own move. His tech asked me if I could assist in lifting. I said, "sure." Once in the room, the patient more or less moved from the bed without anything more than an added hand for balance. He went about his business and I returned to mine. Later his nurse asked how much I needed to do. I told her that I had barely touched him. The nurse sort of smiled and suggested that the patient didn't want to appear to be a "wimp" in the presence of another guy. (I guess we could do a whole thread regarding whether that comment was more of a reflection of the patient's attitude or the nurse's preconceived notions, lol).

Anyways... it kind of struck me that the "male nurse thing" was a door that could swing both ways, regardless of the patient's gender. What the other nurses had shown me was what mattered was care. They seemed to approach the matter of a patient's gender stereotype the same way they'd approach something like a patient's aversion to needles. Didn't much matter what we thought about it. Our task was to find a means to render the appropriate care in terms that the patient could accept. True, these were probably "blue sky" sorts of situations. However, it was still neat to see yet another facet of how different people display different reactions to similar circumstance. Whether their reactions are to race, gender, culture, or just the fact they're tired of their arse hanging out the back of their hospital gown, folks will find reasons to be uncomfortable in specific situations.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

Ne'er had trouble (yet!).

My Senior (Who was pretty darned awesome) once told me that in a way, I had it better when I would become a nurse - Doctors tend to pay more respect and attention, you don't get bossed around, better pay for the same job (?) etc.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

I found more resistance while a student in the nursing home. Occasionally the little old ladies didn't want a male nurse, but not very often.

One incident in the hospital comes to mind. We had an elderly gentleman who wet himself. He wouldn't let the female nurse help him. He insisted on waiting for his wife. My charge nurse asked me if I would try. So I grabbed the male CNA and off we went. Just us guys and he had no problem. We changed him and his bedding and he was much more comfortable.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

...I had a male nurse attend me in 1984 when I had a D&C and lap. He walked me to the BR after surgery and wanted to wait out side the door while I went. I told him he needed to stay with me in case I got faint or weak. I was thinking only of my safety and didn't even consider that he might be nervous or shy about my situation. He got thru it and when I was discharged I told him I appreciated all his help.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

mmm....Teeitup seems a little insecure. How can you refuse a male nurse when you're a male nurse yourself, seems a little hippocritical to me. As a student I had one little older woman who refused a male student (med/Surg), no problems in OB, and now that I've been a nurse for almost two years I have never had a pt. refuse me, male or female.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

I think it's o.k. to have a preference with which sex you're comfortable or not comfortable with. While I know male and female nurses and doctors are equally competent, I prefer men, especially with the intimate exams or treatments.

However, if a female doctor or nurse was assigned to take care of me I wouldn't request a male, I'd leave it be. My insurance is at my own hospital so if I'm a patient there, I will raise a stink if a female coworker wants to put a foley in me or give me a bath, sorry, it's going to be a male coworker or my bladder explodes and I stink. LOL

For once, I don't feel the need to flame Teeituptom. He's allowed a preference.

To the original poster, I don't know how patients feel about male nursing students, but from what I've seen on my unit it hasn't been a big issue. I think instructors need to be mindful in making assignments.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

I have been finding that as a male nursing student it is sometimes harder than it has to be to gain trust and acceptance. I have found it to be a rule rather than an exception that because we are a highly visible member of any nursing team, male nurses often compensate by working toward perfection in both accedemic and clinical skills. If your female classmates are happy with grades of 90%, you will find yourself reaching for the 100% mark on every oportunity. This also causes problems in clinicals for us over achieving male nurses, because often patients will refuse care from the less skilled. (your higher skill level will be due to endless hours of painfull extra practice until you get the task perfect every try) Other members of the team will become insulted when your patient insists on you, the nurse of choice after you have proven yourself and gained the patients trust. This situation is making my clinicals harder than they should be for me. I have one patient in particular that does not let me leave my shift on time. Any suggestions will be of help.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

Originally Posted by Jhanez_k2p

" Attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students"
This is our topic for our nursing research. Im having a hard time looking for some related literature..but, fortunately, allnurses.com made it a little bit easy. However, latest statistics on number of male nurses in our country( Philippines) is really hard to find in the internet..

Currently I am working as a male BSN in India. Personally I feel that while working with the commuinity, clients usually prefer to communicate more with the male nurses. 20 years of nursing carrier in my life I never find any client or patient who dont prefer male nurses.

In our state there is a male vs female nurses bias. Male nurses have least option for upgrading their education. ie male nurses are not allowed to join midwifery course !!!!! eventhough male gynecologist can practise and male nurses are not!!!!!!

This type lack of training block the international carreer of male nurses. We 40 male nurses have cleared CGFNS Exam with/above 600 marks and we cannot go abroad because in our transcript shows lack of theoritical and clinical experience in Maternal, Child & obstratic nursing. Not single nursing shool is ready to provide experience in above mentioned subject only because we are not allowed to practise MCH.!!!!!!!!!

I often see state nursing policy favours female nurses only in my state. To raise hour hand on policies or issues many times we have to go to the court. which is very expensive in India.


Furthermore, overall 10 percent male nurses are serving in our community. usally they are excellent in their education carrier, they are hard working, good ablity to establish good contact with medical communities , other staffs, community and patients. Majority of them received awards from the community.

While working with female nurses we never find any problem with each other. But I do not understand why regulatory bodies are making such policies.

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

Originally Posted by royr

I have been finding that as a male nursing student it is sometimes harder than it has to be to gain trust and acceptance. I have found it to be a rule rather than an exception that because we are a highly visible member of any nursing team, male nurses often compensate by working toward perfection in both accedemic and clinical skills. If your female classmates are happy with grades of 90%, you will find yourself reaching for the 100% mark on every oportunity. This also causes problems in clinicals for us over achieving male nurses, because often patients will refuse care from the less skilled. (your higher skill level will be due to endless hours of painfull extra practice until you get the task perfect every try) Other members of the team will become insulted when your patient insists on you, the nurse of choice after you have proven yourself and gained the patients trust. This situation is making my clinicals harder than they should be for me. I have one patient in particular that does not let me leave my shift on time. Any suggestions will be of help.

Please dont stress that a patient prefers you to other nurses. Rather take it as a compliment that you are doing your job well and the patient trusts you. I work in general practice and my patients have the choice of which nurse or doctor they see... some flatly refuse to see me because they dont like my style, others will only see me. Its a patients right to choose and its something we should accept. I would far rather the patient felt comfortable and able to talk to someone about their problems, than see me and not feel able to me the problems. The nurses you work with have a problem, not you.

perfection... hmm from reading this and bits that other posters have written, there seems to a culture of being a high achiever in the states.. you all seem to want to get 100% in exams. me... a good pass will do because I do have a life outside nursing... I'm learing to be a fencing coach as well as doing a masters..........and lets be honest- no one has ever asked me what grades I got during my degree! so if I can get good passes with my masters course work.. I will be happy.

good luck..

Karen

Re: attitudes of male and female patients towards male nursing students

Thank you Karen. I have having trouble with keeping everything going doing the juggling act with all balls in the air so to speak. In addition to school, I do have a life, although not a very exciting one. My wife requires my care at home, as does my daughter. I am constantly running from classes to take care of things on the home front, and then back to school. Thankfully things are improving, as the seventh surgury attempt has by God's good grace restored my wifes eyesight (she had been incapacitated by a birth trauma causing multiple health issues, infection and blindness). With no living grandparents or close family I have had to do the best I can to raise my daughter and care for my wife. I have a small house and a morgage with bills to pay. Gas for the truck and food are getting more expensive every day. I think I should adopt your idea of doing enough to pass and enjoy more quality time with my wife and daughter. I have no social life. Socializing has been hard to do since I really don't know anyone here yet, as we moved to this area simply to attend the college of nursing that accepted me so late in life. I am less than half unpacked, and have been moved in for 6 months. Time is my most precious commodity, as I can't ever seem to find time to sleeo much.