Breast Exams

[LeesieBug]

Yikes! I just found out that next semester, during our health assessment course, we have to do breast exams ON EACH OTHER!

I had heard about this throught the grapevine, but thought it was a rumor. As it turns out, it's not....

I am a appalled at this. I do not think that it is necessary for us to do exams on each other. There is technology available we can use instead, such as models that feel like real breasts that even have lumps in them for students to detect. The idea of another student doing this to me, or doing this to another student, is very DISTURBING. To me, it is no different than walking up to one of my friends or mother and saying, "plop it down here hand let me give you a breast exam!" (Wouldn't do it!)

Hey, I've got breasts...two of 'em actually...I can practice on my own, thanks..

The instuctors say it is in a clinical capacity, better get used to it, but I don't see them baring their breasts for us to practice on. Nor do the guys get to try it out on a female student. They do it on other MALE students......If it is so clinical, and Ok, why not???? And us gals can check the guys' prostate!!

Anyway...if anybody else has had to do this, I would appreciate any input you can give on how it went...maybe pointers for figuring out how to get through it with dignity in TACT, or pointers on how to get OUT of it..(against my religion maybe?)

[iliel]

I agree with you, to do it with other students isn't helpful. It's not the same as being with a pt or dr or nurse in a clinical setting. I would talk privately with the teacher when the time comes and see if there is another way this can be done.

[Carolanne]

I also think that's a little invasive. I can see examining a real pt in the hospital at clinical, but I would think an artificial lab model at the school prior to this would be sufficient. What would happen if you opted out? Maybe your instructor will just have people who volunteer do it, it might not bother some people. I would hope that something like that would be optional to perform in class in front of your peers. This gives a whole new meaning to show and tell, doesn't it?!!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Boggling the mind

[twarlik]

This is ridiculous. I can understand that they want you to be able to do the exam, but there is absolutely no reason that they should require you to perform these intimate exams on each other. If it's so important to the school, they should hire people for the express purpose of coming in and allowing you to perform the exams.

Personally, I would just refuse to do it. A grade is no reason to put yourself through something that's sure to be quite uncomfortable. If enough people stand up and refuse, then they will simply have to do something else. I don't adhere to the philosophy that students should just sit down, shut up, and do what the instructors say.

[LeesieBug]

Thanks for the input. After mulling it over further, and getting responses similar to those above from EVERYONE I know, I've made up my mind. No way am I going to go along with that when it comes up.

I don't know how long they have had this policy, but hopefully those who are getting ready to do that section this week will stand up and say NO.

[memphispanda, RN]

I would have refused also. I'd tell them it was against my religion or my personal morals or whatever.

I don't really see how doing this is really helpful anyway. The models (big latex boobies LOL) at least had lumps to locate. More than likely you aren't going to find anything on your classmate, and what on earth would happen if you DID find something??? Talk about freak out time.

[proud2basn]

the only persons examining my breasts are myself, my doctor, and my husband, and I don't even let my husband see them that often! LOL. Seriosly, how can you sit through class with 35 or however many people who have all seen each others chests? can you say uncomfortable?

[mitchsmom]

I guess I'll be the one going against the grain here... our assessment is going to be doing breast exams on each other also and I don't think it's a big deal. I haven't noticed that anyone has reacted since our instructor told us about it. Maybe our teacher has created an setting that puts us at ease - she is very professional but also open and easy going.

Of course, I plan on becoming a CNM and I'm really into women's health so maybe that makes me different. I'm pretty modest but for some reason I'm not worried about it.

Do you think your instructor would be understanding if you explained that you are very uncomfortable with it?

[medicrnohio, RN]

I would refuse to do this. The models are good teaching tools. Plus if they want you to learn then they could include this as teaching in clinicals where you do it on patients...of course one would ask permission first. I would be incredibly uncomfortable having my classmates do a breast exam on me.

[#1rnstudent]

That is so wrong on so many levels. Fortunately we don't have to do that or I would fight it tooth and nail. Studies I have read are now showing that breast exams don't make enough of a difference, statistically. So what is the point?

And FWIW, my class is stuck doing one lab where we have to bathe each other. I think it is awful, too. Noone bathes a colleague. We bathe patients, who are unable to do it themselves! Some of the stupid things we have to do in order to get through nursing school.... oye!

[twintoo]

wow now that is crazy!! we had to give each other bed baths but we were wearing swimsuits or shorts and tank tops. that in itself was uncomfortable enough.

if this were our school i think i would be comfortable enough with one of my friends. other than that hell no would i do that!! i truly hope that you do not have to do this. wow that is such a tough situation!!! ~twintoo