First time showering a guy. Nervous.

MurrR · Mar 7, 2011

Might be a little much to ask a smart aleck not to say anything during a shower.

Of all the guys I showered at my last job, I usually washed their behind/back of legs last - your behind is generally your dirtiest area. I usually start with their hair/head and wash down the front and down the back - skipping the genitals - and then once I've rinsed all of that off, I'll wash the genitals, have him stand up, and wash the perineum and then the behind.

If he's uncircumcised, pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease retract the foreskin and gently wash the glans of the member. Don't pull it back anymore than it will go - don't force it. But please do this, I have had to explain to way too many female co-workers why it is important to wash under foreskins after I've given showers or baths to men.

If he says anything, take it in good humor unless it makes you genuinely uncomfortable - like he's making a come on or being verbally/sexually aggressive. But it sounds like he may just like to tease you as a way to get to know you. If you react poorly, he may do it more to get the reaction. If you don't react, or react in a professional manner, he's more likely to cut it out over the long term and eventually you may get comfortable enough to crack a joke of your own. Whenever men or women have made jokes to me in the shower like the one he made to you today with the RN, I usually say something like "Well we'll have to see about that." with a smile and a raised eyebrow, haha. :)

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 7, 2011

You need to just suck it up and do it. It's not that bad to shower a guy as long as you don't act like it is. You don't want him to pick up on your discomfort. If he can help stand up, can't he wash his own crotch? If he makes remarks, it might just be that he's nervous... or, maybe he really is fresh. If you think he's being fresh then give him a "look" that seems to say, "puh-lease" and change the subject, ignoring his comments. That usually works for me.

ArmyWife11B · Mar 7, 2011

Maybe he was just trying to make that joke to the RN because he was trying to break the tension, and thought it might be just as akward for him. What I do is just act like they're joking even if they are seriouse. If they say something innapropriate then say "hey hey now don't get fresh!" Be silly, say "Hey i'm a married woman" Sometimes if they are very serious, and being aggresive say in a light tone, "I'm your grand-daughters/ daughters age, would you want someone talking to them that way?" And in other instances when you just cannot reason with them, if the have dementia or what-not; then just say nothing. And avoid all situations that would put you in a position for them to find something innaporpriate to do to you; such as, don't bend over in front of them, don't reach over them ect. Be firm, but kind; some may not know any better.

cna23 · Mar 7, 2011

Ok, here's something I learned, is he a total care? If not, he can do it himself. A few men pts think they're slick by having the women do that when in actuality, they can really do it themselves. I've had a few do that thinkin that were just gonna do it for them. If he can do it himself, let him do it. If he can't, you're gonna have to suck it up and get it together to do it.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

It's not as bad as it seems. I did home health for about six months, and one of my clients was a male. He was very shy & did not want me to perform peri care on him. But I assured him that I was only trying to help him. Sometimes the men are very embarrassed to be seen nude by a female, especially a young female(I was 20 @ the time, but everyone thinks I look like a teenager lol). But, again..you're there to help them. Try not to make it worse by acting uncomfortable & uneasy. They pick up on that very easily.

BabyGirlx3 · Mar 7, 2011

Thanks everyone. I went today, and it went fine.

He is able to do some things, but he can't each other parts.. So I helped him.

He also told me about his last aide as to why she stopped seeing him...

But everything went okay. :)

jb2u, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

There is nothing funny about making rude comments. If he makes such a comment, I'd say, "look, I give you respect and I expect you to respect me, too." Letting things go can escalate things.

To add to what MurrH said about the uncircumcised male, do not forget to pull the foreskin back forward when finished.

Best of luck to you!!!