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?
These nurses, besides being terrible nurses, are also terrible people. I would definitely say something if I overheard that, especially within earshot of the patient AND other patients on the floor?
Just horrible. You're supposed to feel safe and cared for in a hospital, not made fun of.
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.
It would make your patient's feel valued if you called them what they identify with. If you said "Edward is a 21 year old male, that identifies as a female and prefers to be called Edith...." Edith has had no surgery to alter herself, however, lives and works as a female....."
And there are many, many transgendered people who have had multiple surgeries. There are many gender neutral children who don't know any different than what their parents have raised them to be--which is neither male or female.
It would make your patient's feel valued if you called them what they identify with. If you said "Edward is a 21 year old male, that identifies as a female and prefers to be called Edith...." Edith has had no surgery to alter herself, however, lives and works as a female....."
And there are many, many transgendered people who have had multiple surgeries. There are many gender neutral children who don't know any different than what their parents have raised them to be--which is neither male or female.
I am a nurse meaning that I am not a socio political being at work so I do not take either side on an issue at work. I am not concerned with supporting a patients personal choices but giving them the best nursing care that I can. In a nutshell I don't have time to untangle all of their personal baggage. I have blood to hang.
Just about all of us who were raised in America were indoctrinated, to some extent, with the idea that strict heterosexuality is the natural healthy norm and all else is either sinful or irretrievably sick.
It ain't necessarily so.
I think the nurse described in the OP should be required to research and write a paper on the biology and psychology of gender. If s/he chooses not to do so, or if s/he remains unwilling to change the behavior, then invite his/her resignation.
Then stand back before you get hit with a flying lawsuit.
@Conquerer: you have a good point. Here's the thing for me ... the behavior described by the OP is pretty much guaranteed to trigger badness in the target person. Thus, I often get stuck with having to calm an unnecessarily agitated patient ... and the blood still ain't running.
The coworker's behavior created a dangerous situation for the person in the bed - the patient. Especially in psych and acute care, that coworker should have known better. Not knowing better amounts to malpractice, in my view.
I am about as conservative as they come, and I would refer to a transgender patient with the name and pronoun he/she preferred. It's just about respect and kindness.
NOW, I do think it is appropriate to make sure that a nurse assuming care of a TG patient is aware of the situation (as in, Tina is my 30-year-old patient of Dr. So-and-So, who identifies as a woman but is anatomically a man) and the extent of the transgendered-ness (as in, does Tina dress as a woman, or use hormone therapy, or has she had surgery). If I were getting report, I'd rather know ahead of time than find out by accident (or, God forbid, in an emergency), just like I need to know whether my patient has a family/social situation or has a pacemaker or needs hearing aids. It's about safety and delivering the best possible care.
Of course, I've gotten informative but snarky report on patients, where nurses let me know exactly what they think of the patient's lifestyle, personality, hygiene, weight, drug use, number of kids, age of spouse, etc. Just give me the facts and move on, okay? I can make my own moral judgments, thank you. We're here to provide care.
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".
Why is anyone using gender-specific pronouns in their charting? It should be "patient", "they", "their", and other gender-neutral terms. To use "he" or "she" shows a lack of education and training.
newboy, what did it say on her wristband? What was the name? I would go by that while checking meds. Oftentimes the patient will say call me "cheeseball".
For the posters saying it is a choice, what person would choose this? Being TG is NOT a choice.
mushyrn, BSN, RN
150 Posts
These nurses, besides being terrible nurses, are also terrible people. I would definitely say something if I overheard that, especially within earshot of the patient AND other patients on the floor?
Just horrible. You're supposed to feel safe and cared for in a hospital, not made fun of.