Quick OR question?

Specialties Operating Room

Published

Is it really hard for a male to become a male nurse in OR?

How do women (as a patient) feel about it and would I get a stare from a patient? Plus does a patient have the right to ask for a female instead of a male nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I have been in the OR for 31 years and a male for 55!(YIKES!!!) The only time I have been asked to be not in a room was anumber of years ago one of our Internists asked that no males be in the room for his wife's surgery. The reason why, they are Muslim and it was against their beliefs for a man other than the husband to be so-called alone with her. No problem. I have never had a problem with female patients from 1 year old to 99. No raised eyebrows or nervous appearence. Even after I tell them I will be putting in a foley or aske them to show the location of the mass on their breast. It all depends on your professional demeanor and how you present yourself. Self confidence in yourself plays over to how the patient is going to percieve you. This doen't mean you won't have that patient that feels uneasy with you in the room. Don't take it personal, it's their choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find guys do really well in the OR. We have lots of guys in our OR and they have never had a problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

We have several male OR nurses and they are all fantastic. I have not heard of any of them having issues with female patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a male nurse (just over one year now) and have had no problems. Only been kept out of the room once, and that was for a hospital employee who was in for a gyn case, and I can understand her not wanting to face guys at work who had been working on that sort of case. I'd probably feel the same if I was in for a prostate procedure. Be the best nurse you know how, and you won't have any trouble.

Guys tend to like technology and tools, and the OR is a great place to get to use all those cool toys :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been requested not to be in the OR because of being a male on several occasions. Not too much lately. I do understand religious beliefs and I wouldn’t want to work on a female co-worker again (I did it once and she always made a remark about me seeing her coochie-----NEVER again). The reason it happened so much with me is that a friend of a friend who works in surgery recommended that they would honor such requests.

There have been other postings here about this that you may want to search.

In all considering how many cases I do per week and how many times it has happened, it is very negligible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have worked with several male OR nurses who were great and never had a problem..... One is graduating this August with CRNA yeah!!!!!

I don't think you will have a problem.. go for it!!!! It is always possible in any specialty to have the same sex nurse.... Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

shoot, by the time the pt. sees you they are usually already 1/2 sedated with Versed or something so I don't think that they really care!! With all the garb you have on, I doubt they could tell if you were male or female....!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Is it really hard for a male to become a male nurse in OR?

How do women (as a patient) feel about it and would I get a stare from a patient? Plus does a patient have the right to ask for a female instead of a male nurse?

I personally think that there should be more male nurses in the OR, They are great to work with, I had the priviledge of having a male theatre Rn while training, he was great!! Sad to say, though that he is currently suffering from prostate cancer, and is not doing well!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think that male RNs in the OR do just fine. At my facility, the only male RNs we have are travelers, and they do a dandy job. They both seem to carry themselves with respect and dignity and they project that on to the patient.

Like another poster said-most patients are fine with a male nurse, just as long as you don't let the surgeon cut off the wrong leg LMAO!!!:coollook:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anyone can ask for another caregiver. Guys usually have it easier when it comes to Docs. I don't go with "nurses eat their young" like alot of Female RNs do. But remember if you decide you don't like it move on. Don't torture yourself or your preceptors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Anyone can ask for another caregiver. Guys usually have it easier when it comes to Docs. I don't go with "nurses eat their young" like alot of Female RNs do. But remember if you decide you don't like it move on. Don't torture yourself or your preceptors.

I agree.... We have a general surgeon that LOVES male nurses..... I think with him it is a culture thing... :nurse::redbeathe:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment