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?
We occasionally get transgender patients and I have never heard anyone disrespect them like that.
I cannot imagine the turmoil these patients must be experiencing... obviously quite a bit since they are being hospitalized.
I'm sure if I was that patient, if I were not already having suicidal or homicidal ideation prior to what that nurse did, I sure as hell would be after.
As an ETC RN, I can't remember this happening to me at any time. Regardless, I agree with the general discussion that this type of behaviour is not only unprofessional but inhumane. While EVERYBODY has an opinion, it wasn't his place to display it or in that fashion. It obviously wasn't enough for that RN to hear from his peers that this was not proper.
While most people are agreeing that this type of action calls for punishment, what is proper? Suspension, termination, classes on professionalism/diversity training. Shouldn't there be some education for this individual so he can better understand the complexity of transgender. Some may call him ignorant, and be right... does that mean he's a lost cause?
On a second note/question, how is a transgender legally displayed on paperwork, regarless of how they would like to be called?
Just so I know if I run across this in the future.
Transgendered individuals are legally identified by birth certificate until legally changed. Some states will issue a new birth certificate, some will amend the original.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
No. No. This is wrong on so many levels I cannot even wrap my mind around it. That nurse shouldn't be permitted to work again until he has taken some kind of sensitivity course to make him at least understand that all human beings have dignity and worth. If you fire him outright, you do nothing to teach him values, and thus he's apt to continue in his ignorance, on to the next job and the next transgendered patient.
We get transgender patients, occasionally. They do get a private room, but otherwise it's business as usual. People may gossip a bit about them out of interest, but never in a mean-spirited way.
As an ETC RN, I can't remember this happening to me at any time. Regardless, I agree with the general discussion that this type of behaviour is not only unprofessional but inhumane. While EVERYBODY has an opinion, it wasn't his place to display it or in that fashion. It obviously wasn't enough for that RN to hear from his peers that this was not proper.
While most people are agreeing that this type of action calls for punishment, what is proper? Suspension, termination, classes on professionalism/diversity training. Shouldn't there be some education for this individual so he can better understand the complexity of transgender. Some may call him ignorant, and be right... does that mean he's a lost cause?
On a second note/question, how is a transgender legally displayed on paperwork, regarless of how they would like to be called?
Just so I know if I run across this in the future.
Thanks, 1st post :)
At my facility, the policy states to address the patient as what he or she identifies as. However, I've noticed that some nurses chart "male" and uses the pronoun "he" while other nurses chart "female" and uses the pronoun "she". It's not a perfect system. As for disciplinary action, I'm not sure. The nurse may or may not have been disciplined; such matters are confidential so I don't know. As for now, that nurse is still on the unit. I'm seriously hoping he is reassigned to a different unit because I foresee future problems. Psych is always unpredictable.
I can understand where Emergent is coming from (counsel him, don't fire him) and I believe any kind of abuse of the patient is grounds for immediate termination. Yes, this was patient abuse, if the patient heard it or was affected by it in any way.
We humans have a rough time coping with differences without hating on the person who is different. As a nurse (or any healthcare worker), this behavior is especially egregious. Fifty years ago, heck, less, some nasty comments would be in store for a biracial couple or an openly homosexual patient, and no one would have batted an eye, including the hospital administrators. We are making some serious transitions in this regard in the past decade or two, for the better. We didn't 'see' transgendered folks except perhaps in the morgue after a suicide or in psych for the same reasons.
I have two transgendered persons in my immediate family, my daughter in law and my nephew who just turned 18. My family of origin hail from Appalachia and the midwest, and the older generations (my mother and grandmother who recently passed away) were AMAZING when my nephew came out. At roughly the same time, my daughter-in-law 'came out' officially (my daughter, myself, her brother and all their friends were aware of course) in support and solidarity for my nephew, so these hillbillies (I'm imagining this, wasn't there to witness the breaking news ) sat in shock for a bit, and then got right onboard. So proud of them :)
People have every right in the world to be as bigoted and hateful as they please. But they DON'T have a right to indulge in hate speech (which I consider this nurse to have done).
I definitely support the idea of an incident report and hope HR puts that idiot back on probation or something. He needs to be 'informed' firmly and in no uncertain terms that expressing his disgusting hate is not OK.
I don't get calling any patient an it. While I don't think I would refer to someone with a member and Edward on their drivers license as she in report, I wouldn't refer to them as an inanimate object. Do your job and go home. And internet comments won't change my mind but try if it makes you feel better.
This is so wrong on so many levels. Calling any patient "it" is absolutely mind boggling. As others have said.
As nurses, we need to really embrace in care plans/plans of care the idea of alternate gender identification other than what we believe to be "right" or "true".
We are doing patients a disservice by discounting the psych/social needs of gender identification. There are parents who are raising children to be gender neutral. As nurses, we do a disservice to our practice by not looking at alternate ways of how patients perceive their gender or lack thereof,
OP, one of the best things you could do going forward is to look at ways you could bring education into the workplace. LGBT groups have lots of information, continuing education, staff education on the issue of providing culturally competent care. Lets go with the notion that the nurse in question is just plain ignorant. (I dunno, could happen I suppose). Education all around would be a good thing.
Also a manager who immediately confronts this behavior. "Your comments are rude and unethical. This patient will be identified by her first name or her initials, and going forward as 'she' or 'her'. Should you not comply with the anti-discrimination, inclusive, and dignity/respect portion of this facilities mission statement, you will be subject to discipline up to and including termination". Period, end of story. I would go so far as to send out an educational packet and have everyone read and sign off on it. But OP do check out your local LGBT groups website for some great educational items.
As a complete aside, I really find it odd that a male nurse, who is in a position that is so female based that they are often in the minority, would be spouting off such discriminatory and nasty comments. Personally, he should be let go. However, giving benefit of the doubt and the ability to change behavior (after all, there were a whole bunch of other nurses there laughing it up) may be in order.
) sat in shock for a bit, and then got right onboard. So proud of them :)
Hygiene Queen
2,232 Posts
We occasionally get transgender patients and I have never heard anyone disrespect them like that.
I cannot imagine the turmoil these patients must be experiencing... obviously quite a bit since they are being hospitalized.
I'm sure if I was that patient, if I were not already having suicidal or homicidal ideation prior to what that nurse did, I sure as hell would be after.