First Bump on a Bumpy Road

[NickB]

So, I was taking an EKG class yesterday and the instructor was a female paramedic/nurse of about 25years. On one of our breaks, we were all discussing the areas that we want to specialize in and I told the people in my class that I intend to be a Labor Nurse and eventually a Midwife. Shortly after, the instructor blurts out "I don't know any woman that would let you down there." I told her that I didn't have any issues with this in my L&D clinicals and have already discussed working as a Labor Nurse with the Birthcare Center Director who was very encouraging and actually strongly supports male labor nurses. I know that this is a topic that has been discussed many times on this forum, but I thought is was funny that this was my first encounter with an issue I may have to frequently overcome in the future. Just my first bump in the road I guess.

[txredheadnurse, BSN, RN]

How absurd. The first midwife I ever worked with was a male nurse midwife. This was back in the 1970s. His patients loved him. He was a father to three, had been a RN for about 10 years when he got interested in pursuing the midwife path after coaching his wife through one of her deliveries.

I say if you feel drawn to this avenue then go for it. IMO what a mother in labor wants most is someone who is focused on helping her deliver a healthy baby not on whether that person is male or female.

[BSNtoPharmD]

I've been very fed up with sexist nursing instructors and preceptors...another great reason I'm glad nursing school is over.

[HmarieD]

Interesting that you never get this attitude when you're talking about OB-GYN's, a majority of which are male.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

It takes a very long time to change stereo-typing if not forever and can be a frustrating experience for everybody.

I respectfully suggest you dont get upset about it this soon into your career!

You will hear these comments often and the best thing you can do is laugh it off and not let it bother you-otherwise methinks you are going to have a tougher time of it. Dont debate it dont worry about it-it isnt going to change even if you do. Just enjoy the ride!

You will get the respect you need by doing a good job and by being frustrated feeds the fires of the ones who like to stereotype. It is their problem not yours.

[CrazierThanYou]

I'm with HMarieD on this one. Like she said, most OB-GYN's are male and women allow them "down there". That's ridiculous!

[MrazFan]

I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced this. It is not right, it is not fair. So what can you do? Show them that you will be the best L&D nurse and Midwife that they've ever seen! Prove them wrong, and maybe this instructor will think twice before making a comment like that in the future...

In the meantime, HUGS to you!!

[catshowlady]

It kills me, too, that women will let the MALE doctor look at them, but don't want a male nurse???? Silly. Not to say that you won't run in to these types, though. Don't give up on your dreams, and don't the the b... - wait, I mean nitwits - get you down.

:paw:

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I think its great that you have plans to be a L&D nurse and eventual CNM. I wish more men were open to this specialty.

[Schmoo1022]

We really need to get over this! Hello...how many male DRs are there...How many male OB-GYN's are out there. That instructor should be ashamed of herself!

[CEG]

So ridiculous! There aren't a lot of male midwives, probably partially due to idiots like this! The male Ob/GYNs of the world don't seem to have any problems.

[NickB]

I'm not concerned about it. I'm going to do it no matter what anyone thinks. It was kind of comical to me. I have told this to many people and this is the first of this type of response I have received. I figured I would've heard this from someone long ago.