Calling a transgender patient an "it"

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

So we recently admitted a male patient who identifies himself as female. We don't get many patients like her. A nurse in particular let's his political views get in the way of work and has been calling this patient "it".

Now, let's fast forward to the dilemma. During medication pass, he addressed the patient as "it" out loud and other staff and patients started laughing; next thing you know, we had a behavioral emergency on our hands.

I filled out an incident report because several other nurses and I have spoken to this nurse prior to the event happening. One nurse even brought it up the chain of command. Not only is it unprofessional but it's endangering the safety of others - clearly, it's one of her triggers. Has anyone ever dealt with this type of conduct?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Yes. When I worked the floors, we had two such patients in from time to time. Both were anatomical males who self-identified as females; they were always placed in private rooms to avoid ANY potential roommate issues with EITHER gender. We actually had them both admitted at the same time once, and we wondered if we could room them together....but then nixed the idea because it would probably just complicate things, particularly if the same nurse had both, and there were LOTS of issues!

Anyway, we always had some of the staff cracking wise during report. Charge nurses knew to assign these patients only to staff who wouldn't likely land them in a lawsuit, and it wasn't really a major problem. MOST of our staff was professional enough to handle it all with aplomb, those who had comments to make? We kept them away from these patients, that's all.

[Farawyn]

I haven't personally yet, but I was actually just engaged in a discussion about it from another nurse who was resentful of this patient getting a private room and ignorant in general about TG patients. It's going to be an issue going forward for lots of people, not just in health care.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

That is patient abuse.

The med nurse should be in disciplinary action but unfortunately, people like this who have no insight into their own flaws, are not likely to change.

[Everline]

Sadly, I have witnessed nurses, techs and doctors completely disrespecting a transgender patient. This patient identified as a female and lived as a female. Her mother referred to her as her daughter. But for some reason the staff had to continue to refer to the patient as a male and some of them made crude remarks and jokes within earshot of the patient. I really could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. I was so angry.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

People go in psychiatric units for relief of their pain, not to have more inflicted upon them.

I would approach this patient and say I want you to know that I and my colleagues and this hospital do not condone or purport the behavior of this individual nurse, and behalf of all of us, I apologize.

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

Sadly, I have witnessed nurses, techs and doctors completely disrespecting a transgender patient. This patient identified as a female and lived as a female. Her mother referred to her as her daughter. But for some reason the staff had to continue to refer to the patient as a male and some of them made crude remarks and jokes within earshot of the patient. I really could not believe what I was seeing and hearing. I was so angry.

Sometimes healthcare staff wear their "views" on their sleeves and it's sickening.

[macawake, MSN]

During medication pass, he addressed the patient as "it" out loud and other staff and patients started laughing; next thing you know, we had a behavioral emergency on our hands.

I filled out an incident report because several other nurses and I have spoken to this nurse prior to the event happening. One nurse even brought it up the chain of command. Not only is it unprofessional but it's endangering the safety of others - clearly, it's one of her triggers. Has anyone ever dealt with this type of conduct?

Well, I'm a female who identifies myself as a female. If I was called it by my nurse and other nurses and patients laughed I too, would in all likelihood blow a fuse. Your patients' reaction to this unprofessional and dehumanizing treatment is hardly exclusive to transgender persons, but I guess that that it might sting extra since they so often encounter mean and bigoted behavior.

Your co-worker is a moron.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

We've had transgender patients on our floor. I've heard staff laughing during report about it. I don't engage in the snickering. I've asked my coworkers "what's so funny?" They can't seem to come up with an answer.

I would report the nurse who calls any patient an "it", to that person and around other patients.

[caliotter3]

There are people that I have worked with that I would not put this type of behavior past, should the opportunity present itself, based upon their demonstrated prior behavior on the job. This makes it very uncomfortable at times.

[Emergent, RN]

I've had a transgender pt. I respected the patient's self definition of herself. I'm not totally on board with the whole gender politics agenda, but I don't have to be to provide respectful care. I haven't walked in that person's shoes so it's best if I stick to providing competent, compassionate care.

Some people still behave as if they are in Jr High

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Some previous posters used the terms/phrase "abuse" and "inflicting pain." Those words are accurate; not hyperbole. The word "it" for a transgender patient is as inflammatory as any racial or ethnic slur and should be dealt with accordingly.

The funny thing about being open to transgender patients is that eventually you don't even see them as anything but what they self-identify as. Honest as a Boy Scout, I've taken care of a particular transgender frequent flyer a number of times, and it has gotten to the point that I FORGET she is anatomically male!