Challenges you face as a guy, working as a L&D nurse?

Noimanurse · Oct 15, 2011

You are probably not going to get many replies since it is pretty rare for men to work L&D. I don't see anything wrong with it, but there are going to be some stereotypes you are going to have to overcome. I can certainly see many current female nurses questioning your abilities since you aren't woman so how can you work L&D? Even though many Drs they work next to are men. You may have a questions from patients, as well, but its just because its something they haven't seen before. My suggestion is if this is what you are interested in, be professional and knowledgeable, respectful of others wishes and it will hopefully work out well for you. I think the biggest obstacle would be winning over the staff more so than patients....Good Luck!

RaineyRN · Oct 16, 2011

Best wishes to ya! Collegues in Nsg school had problem's w/ pts not wanting a male nurse, or sn... I can sympathize in not wanting another guy looking at my hoo hoo while I labor... but hey, best Luck!!! :-)

acr2001 · Oct 18, 2011

I have trouble wrapping my head around why it is ok for the Doctor to be male, but not the nurse. :confused:

Noimanurse · Oct 18, 2011

I have trouble wrapping my head around why it is ok for the Doctor to be male, but not the nurse.

I really think it is about what is perceived "normal". Many times I have told my patients on med/surg., "no, I'm the nurse, the lady that just walked out of your room is your doctor." I may be wrong here, but I believe that its not just the patients thoughts, it is the staff and often times its the staff's ideas that get pushed onto the patients. How many times has a lady/family in L&D been asked, "is it ok to have a female nurse?", but they often don't think twice to ask, "is it ok to have a male nurse?".

themedicinebuddha87 · Oct 18, 2011

When I was in nursing school my instructor always asked the patients before if it was okay that they have a male nursing student and most of the time the patients said yes. Now that I have no instructor it is up to me to ask and well if they don't want one they don't want one. Don't fight it...

ITSSOSIMPLE · Oct 18, 2011

Best wishes to ya! Collegues in Nsg school had problem's w/ pts not wanting a male nurse, or sn... I can sympathize in not wanting another guy looking at my hoo hoo while I labor... but hey, best Luck!!! :-)[/
If I need a prostate biopsy or surgery,I wouldn't want a female nurse looking at my junk. My urology procedure
is just as unique as you birthing experience.

xtian · Oct 27, 2011

I would guess that your biggest problem would be getting hired into that field, if you get past that you should be fine. I didn't get rejected once by a female patient during my L&D orientation and I had quite a few patients that semester. I did everything from teaching breast pumping to holding legs during natural labor. It was a bit awkward on my side as I'm sure on the patients, especially being a younger guy. As long as you interact on a professional level with confidence there is no problem.