Does anyone else 'prefer' male patients to female patients?
When I get assigned a room of elderly female patients, I know I'm in for a heavy shift. Compared to the males, they moan/are pedantic over little things, take twice as long to do everything, seem to be more susceptible to delirium/suffer the symptoms of dementia more than males (obviously not their fault). But can also be cranky and refuse care.
Whereas with elderly males, in my experience, they're easy going, allow you to do observations without a fuss etc, still have some sense of humour despite their alzheimers/dementia diagnosis, talk to me in a respectful way. And I can relate to them easier as at 90yrs old, they can still hold an interesting conversation, and even throw in funny one liners. But the 65yr old female will either be extremely difficult to interact with or nitpick.
Hope I don't sound bitter or anything. I'm not saying I dislike or hate caring for these patients, obviously they're in pain or really ill which affects how they interact. Just find it interesting how easy going elderly male patients can be compared to the females.
Whenever I've made generalized assumptions regarding any one type or group of pt's I've been almost immediately (and sometimes painfully) proven wrong. I'm always disgusted with myself later, and feel ashamed for having categorized someone at all.
One thing I've learned over the years regarding pt's is no two are ever alike.
I like men better because post-op, they can use the urinal and even if they can't it's not so bad to help them briefly stand at bedside to use it then sit them back down. Might end up having to bladder scan and straight cath them, but that's not so bad.
Women, on the other hand, usually want to get up and use the bathroom, and have less upper body strength with which to help maneuver themselves. It makes them "heavier" patients who take more time in general.
Just to be clear, though, nobody likes the bedpan. Men simply have a better option via the urinal, whereas ladies don't. And for some reason, we hardly ever get any old guys falling and busting a hip, whereas we constantly have at least a few elderly females with broken hips and pubic ramus fractures. I'm guessing it's osteoporosis and weaker bones at play.
This is the only reason I prefer one over the other. As we are removing urinary catheters earlier on most patients now, our LOL have to get up to the bathroom at least once an hour. It usually takes 15 minutes to get to the commode, then void 50 ml, and then another 15 minutes to get tucked back in. And then we do it all again in less than an hour. I'm sure it won't be long until I'm one of those LOL, but it can make for a long and frustrating shift.
I have occasionally had the thought that one gender is easier than the other, but really I am just remembering a pt who is an outlier. Those particularly difficult or easy pts are more likely to be memorable. There are certain things that may make care of one gender easier than the other in certain situations. For instance, for those who don't have foleys, a urinal is a blessing. However, a female with a foley is just as convenient for me.
Background: I work on an ortho/trauma floor, lots of pain and pain meds.
I do have a few generalizations of course, based on my own anecdotal experiences. I think elderly people tend to deal with pain better as a whole. Younger people have not (usually) experienced chronic aches and pains that tend to come with old age and are therefore shocked and less able to cope with it. A LOL with a hip fx is often easier to take care of than a 20 something with a fx from a car accident.
The people who are challenging are those who expect no pain after being medicated and those who refuse to tell you they are in pain. Oh yes, and those who are just GREAT until their spouse comes in and suddenly they are a 10/10. Some of my easiest/nicest pts have been those people who I would actively avoid outside of work, such as heroin addicts. I have even had great nurses and doctors as family members - I know I am not the only one who inwardly groans when you hear that in report!
I do have of course have a favorite pt...I love my dementia patients, even the combative ones....as long as they don't try to climb out of bed
I can't believe I actually read the phrase "internalized misogyny" on this board.
I don't have a strong preference for either gender. I guess I have noticed younger patients, younger than age 50, are more psychologically draining because they are whiny a**holes, sometimes. It's not specific for either gender. Younger males and females can be needy. Older patients seem more resilient, probably because they've been through more in life.
My two cents? I'm still a fledgling student nurse tech, but I have had plenty of salty (and sweet, for that matter) men and women patients. I prefer the patients who can ambulate. This thread is a pretty good thread, OP asked a question that has went through most of our minds, and the AN site is a great way to let off steam. I appreciate the chance to read others' opinions.
I haven't noticed women being more difficult than men or vice versa. Seems to me like challenges have come equally to me from both male and female young and old patients. I think it has more to do with the individual's personality than gender. I can think of many patients both male and female that have been a joy to take care of
In long term care LOL's are the worst. Every hairpin and jar of cold cream has to be "just so". In corrections we would often trade to have 2-3 male units to avoid having one female unit. I have found that women are just more complex and emotional by nature and this translates to caring for them. I get so sick of people saying one is "better". Men and women are just different. Even in 2016
I find that my male patients fall more frequently. They also scream louder when agitated. Then again, my unit is 75% male so I might just notice their behaviors more!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
In long term care LOL's are the worst. Every hairpin and jar of cold cream has to be "just so". In corrections we would often trade to have 2-3 male units to avoid having one female unit. I have found that women are just more complex and emotional by nature and this translates to caring for them. I get so sick of people saying one is "better". Men and women are just different. Even in 2016
Little old ladies are the worst and no one wants to take care of them, but you're sick of hearing that one gender is better?
bonta
2 Posts
I think it has to do with the personality involved and then men seem less worrisome than the women in geriatrics