Kevin - I understand your frustration, particularly at the thread that wondered how in the world you wolves controlled your hormones .

I responded initially that thread very briefly - it seemed to me a no-brainer. I'm sorry that the OP in that instance didn't take the word of the professionals (male nurses responding) that our work is *not* a sexual thing, plain and simple. I closed it when it became evident that no amount of assurances would suffice, and our male nurses were being put on the defensive for no good reason.

As regards the hairy chest thread, it was started by a male as I recall lol; I nonetheless steered away from it, figuring it to be a bit of fun.

I do believe my female-ness to a certain extent makes me blind in some instances as to what may be offensive to males. I appreciate anytime another perspective is offered .

I certainly didnt apologize for anything.

Regarding the first post I suggested the OP is a pervert and probably sexually attracted to her own offspring.

Regarding the second post I commented something to the effect if people cant accept that most men have chest hair the can kiss my...well you get it.

What about women with chest hair, or mustaches. Should they shave these?

Personally I thought these posts to be not worth taking seriously-

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Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Who ever said females don't have it rough.

Interesting how many females are answering a question addressed to the men.

Looks like Marie was right after all. Having a separate board for the male nurses have served to only divide, instead of offering a place for relating.

I couldn't agree more, it does seem that way. Here in UK I really dont know if male nurses have hard time or not it has just never crossed my mind, i havent heard them complain of sexual harressment. I have seen female cliets come on to them just like male clients can come on to the female nurses. So I would be interested to hear from any UK male nurses who have a hard time?

We had a male student midwife and he used to get very angry if we asked the woman in labour 'would it be ok if the male student midwife delivered your baby' he said if it one of the female students then you wouldnt say 'female student midwife'.
I did feel the women had a right to know if the midwife was male or female, but hey maybe I was wrong?

Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy

I had a female nurse grab my buns one night and say what a nice a## I have. I tolerated it then because I was a mousey newbie nurse, but if a male did that to her he would be sent to jail for sexual assault and harrassment.

I would have AT LEAST told the nurse, male or female, "did you know that is sexual harassment?" I recall a situation decades ago when a seasoned nurse and I were working with a new GN, who was male. We were kidding him about something. He said three short words that shut me up in a hurry, "That's sexual harassment." I NEVER kidded after that. Thankfully his words were a warning to stop and not a complaint! Whether the "victim" is male or female, the words need to be used. We all know the consequences of sexual harassment and know we don't want to go there. Sometimes, all in the name of fun, a person gets carried away. I appreciated the words of warning and learned from them.

Guys, I am sorry for the frustrations you go through. I only have words of respect for 99.999% of you out there. Thank you for being willing to add so much to the nursing profession.

Originally Posted by Audreyfay

I would have AT LEAST told the nurse, male or female, "did you know that is sexual harassment?" I recall a situation decades ago when a seasoned nurse and I were working with a new GN, who was male. We were kidding him about something. He said three short words that shut me up in a hurry, "That's sexual harassment." I NEVER kidded after that. Thankfully his words were a warning to stop and not a complaint! Whether the "victim" is male or female, the words need to be used. We all know the consequences of sexual harassment and know we don't want to go there. Sometimes, all in the name of fun, a person gets carried away. I appreciated the words of warning and learned from them.

Guys, I am sorry for the frustrations you go through. I only have words of respect for 99.999% of you out there. Thank you for being willing to add so much to the nursing profession.

right on. our male colleagues deserve the same respect we demand for ourselves.

Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy
I had a female nurse grab my buns one night and say what a nice a## I have. I tolerated it then because I was a mousey newbie nurse, but if a male did that to her he would be sent to jail for sexual assault and harrassment.

Exactly what I was trying to get across earlier. I witnessed a similar incident and it was shocking and upsetting even for me, the witness. I protested to the perpetrator and offered to be a witness for the victim, but I know he didn't report it.

Culturally, I think there's just too much stigma against guys who do report. That is shameful.

Tweety, I'm so sorry that happened to you.

We--ESPECIALLY because we're nurses--need to be better than that.

Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Good points Fergus and I receive them well.

I remember a thread out panty lines. What if a male nurse (not me because you'd never believe me) in that thread said "I think females should wear white pants, very tight, and black thongs because I think that's kind of sexy", or even "I find panty lines sexy". Do you not think there might not have been someone who took offense to that? How many threads have there been about nurses who object to the sexpot image of nurses in the media? That females feel this way, yet can stereotype men as being testosterone run wild, and sexy in their scrubs is a slight double standard when someone ojbects and isn't taken seriously with those objections.

And no, absolutely not am I suggesting that the threads be more moderated than they are. I'm totally against that, and have made my objections known from time to time when they close down a thread.

I am sure someone would be offended because someone always is. I don't think you would be crucified though. Seriously, did you not see the thread about women's pubic hair grooming? That's a lot more sexually charged than chest hair and it went on forever with people discussing their preferences. Plus, the people posting offensive things about men were taken to task over it. I thought every poster that replied said something to the effect of "No, men are not testosterone driven psychos turned on by their patients". It seems like the only complaint about those responses was that they didn't have an angry enough tone to them.

Originally Posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Who ever said females don't have it rough.

Interesting how many females are answering a question addressed to the men.

Looks like Marie was right after all. Having a separate board for the male nurses have served to only divide, instead of offering a place for relating.

I don't mean to intrude on your forum, but I felt I had to defend the posters who did tell those nutty people that men in nursing are not sexually charged maniacs. A lot of us did.

Fergus, no need to apologize. Those who have responded to this thread are one's I admire very much, including you, and always appreciate the input.

What I was trying to point out was that several of you gave the message "well, this is what females have had to put up with it, we put up with it, and so should you, why are you even complaining". Rather than saying something like "you know we put up with it too, there are many threads and it's wrong, we know how you feel".

Some of us males are sensitive to what females have to go through. Some of us choose not to participate in the "nursing won't get anywhere because it's dominated by catty backbiting females" threads. Some of us can relate to what you go through. Some of us are going to express and call you on it sometimes, and would appreciate some thoughtful consideration to what we're saying.

Woot!

I don't mean to say you should put up with it. I was just trying to point out that there isn't such a double standard and most of the posters did stand up for male nurses and their professionalism. You aren't alone