Are Transgendered nurses not liked?

[tmwhalens]

I am transgendered, and though I have chosen to live my life as the sex I was born (male) as, an argument I had with my aunt tonight has me wondering about some things. She does not think that I should consider getting into the nursing field because the job would "be too intimate and personal" and "I know I wouldn't want a transgendered person taking care of me". I tried to tell her that one's sexual orientation or identified gender have NO BEARING WHATSOEVER on how good a nurse that person may or may not be.

I do agree that a person that obviously looks like a male but is wearing makeup, or that is "flaming", is going to cause some problems with some patients, but in general, no one has "I am really a male" on their name tag. Keeping in mind that I knew nothing about transgenderism back in 1997, I was a CNA back then and when I mentioned that to her she said "well, I didn't think it was an appropriate job for you back then". Grrrr......

What have your experiences been with this sort of thing? Have you noticed transgendered healthcare staff being treated differently be co-workers, management, patients or their family? Has being transgendered caused issues in getting hired? Have you ever had to deal with family that were generally negative about anything you ever said or did?

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

As a male nurse who is not transgendered, i feel that my contribution to your issue is warranted. I dont feel that the sex a person is or the sex that a person wants or believes they should be , s hould determine at all if you work as a RN.

Having said that, if a person is rude, arrogant, or obnoxious, then I guess I wont like that person regardless of their sex is, or what sex they should be.

So no it should not make any difference.

[catshowlady]

Although it's not the same, I have found my healthcare co-workers to be more tolerant of homosexuality than the average person where I live (Midwestern small city). I think they would be pretty tolerant of a transgendered co-worker. I would say that co-workers might be more tolerant than the pts, depending on the community the facility serves. I've never worked myself with a transgendered co-worker, but I would be fine with it. I can't really speak to the hiring question, though, as I don't know anything "behind-the-scenes" about the hiring process.

I think you might have to educate your co-workers some about how being transgendered is different from being homosexual. I don't think the average person has any understanding of it outside of Jerry Springer shows. I only know somewhat about it, because my husband was a support person for an employee of his who underwent gender reassignment surgery. You might not need to disclose anything to a pt, depending on how well the gender you identify with matches your appearance.

It wouldn't matter to me if my nurse was transgendered. One's gender has no bearing on the kind of nursing care they are capable of giving. There are stereotypes about male nurses though, and since you identify with the male gender, you'll be certain to run into them at some point.

It doesn't sound like you have much support from your family, which is unfortunate. My best advice would be to remember that they are negative (and they're probably negative with everyone, not just you), and seek out positive support from other sources, like friends or a support group. Don't make their negativity your problem - don't buy into it. I know it's easier said than done - it helps to find other sources of support. If you want to become a nurse, go for it. Don't let someone else take away your dreams. :icon_hug:

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't care.

[lpn2icu]

I am a male nurse!

I have never seen a transgendered nurse in my life!

Anyhow, I don't really care! The most important thing is the type of care delivered by you that I think it counts the most!

I am not so sure what the management would do/think!

...Because this might create a "sensation" among workers as well as the patients!

Transgendered nurses are truly the minorities! I don't think it is accepted by the general populations at this time! It is only my observation as well as my nursing experience. I might be wrong then!

[lpnflorida]

I can honestly say I have never worked with a co-worker who was transgender, many gays though. I see no problem with it.

I think it would be up to the individual and how they handle it. We all have our professional lives and personal lives.

[John20]

If you decide to change your gender you will get a lot of people who will think it's weird or snicker at it. Doesn't matter if that reaction is right or wrong it's just the way things are. At the same time you'll still be able to find work so if you really want to do it develop thick skin, ignore those who laugh at you and try to spend as much time with supporters as you can.

My experiences seeing transgender people are limited to seeing the guy/girl on MTVs the real world who is so obviously a male I don't know how he/she thinks she will fool anyone. I'm fairly open-minded but the sight of him/her is really weird to me. Maybe you'll be able to pull it off better.

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

I have to say that catshowlady did a very good job of answering your quesion. I agree with her views of what makes a good nurse and of your family.

As for those who say they have never worked with a transgendered person before...never say never. You may have and just not known it.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

As far as I am concerned, I wouldn't care about your transgenderedness as long as you look like the sex you identify with.

That said, I worked with a woman whose husband dressed as a woman. Whatever floats his boat, right?

Except he would wear a dress and hose and heels and had a beard and mustache. A very obviously masculine beard and mustache. That tended to freak out a lot of people, and he got a lot of strange looks.

Like I said, other than that, if you look appropriate, I don't care how you dress or how you spend your free time, as long as you are a good nurse when you're working with me!!!!!

[AlabamaBelle]

I really don't think it would make a lot of difference. Your co-workers generally are more concerned about the level of care you deliver and your ability to be a team player. Your patients may or may not have issues, but then again, those patients are also the ones that have other issues as well (would refuse a caregiver based on sex, religion, race, etc - I've seen that happen). I do work with several gay people, not at all an issue.

I don't think I've ever worked with a transgendered person and I personally wouldn't care. I get more peeved with hearing about my co-workers going out and getting so drunk they can't see or seeing them sit and talk on the phone having obviously personal conversations.

If nursing is what you want to do, go for it!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I think that people who have a problem with it are going to have a problem with it no matter what job you do, which is unfortunate. You have to live for yourself and try to ignore the negative people around you. If you will be happy as a nurse, go for it! I know you will have a lot to give to the profession.

Personally, I think it would be wonderful to have a transgendered nurse in any setting. Nurses must care for our diverse population, so I am a firm believer that nurses should also be a diverse population!

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

it wouldn't matter to me in the slightest! you are absolutely right that your sexual orientation/identity have no bearing on your profession! i have personally only worked with one transgendered nurse who i didnt actually know was born a male until she told me. it's no ones business but yours and who you choose to disclose it to! i hope you do decide to get into nursing and don't get discouraged. good luck with your education! :)