Gay / Lesbian patient resources for nurses?

CyndieRN2007 · Dec 30, 2005

I have nurses and other healthcare workers friends that are gay or lesbian. I have never seen them be treated differently by staff, management, or patients. I really dont think that sexual orientation has anything to do with the job. All of these people present themselves as hardworking, respectable and caring professionals. As far as a forum for gay/lesbian healthcare workers, maybe you could ask the administrator or this site!! Good luck!!!

Melody007_FNP-C, APRN · Dec 30, 2005

I treat them like any other patient. Same with staff. I don't flaunt my hetrosexual persona to my patients or staff, so I expect the same from any other person. I don't see how sexual orientation will affect my care, or working with others.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 30, 2005

Discrimination based on someone's sexual preference is against the law...........doubt it is tolerated anywhere.

I don't think you find too many people disclosing their sexual preferences to patients for them to know in the first place, but then again I am not a nurse.

medicrnohio, RN · Dec 30, 2005

Ahhh, a topic very close to my heart....

I just wrote a research paper for my BSN program on Culturally Competent Nursing Care of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Population.

Here are some websites that may help you out:

http://www.glma.org/

http://web.nmsu.edu/~ebosman/trannurs/glb.shtml

http://www.lgbthealth.net/

http://www.glbthealth.org/

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/glbt/providers.htm

As a lesbian nurse I have had no problems at all with coworkers, management, etc. I do not disclose my sexual orientation to my patients, it is not their business. I have never had a patient ask. I have had patients ask if I am married, to that I tell them "yes, I have a partner" or something to that effect.

Please feel free to ask more questions or PM if you would like.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 30, 2005

Ahhh, a topic very close to my heart....
I just wrote a research paper for my BSN program on Culturally Competent Nursing Care of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Population.
Here are some websites that may help you out:
http://www.glma.org/
http://web.nmsu.edu/~ebosman/trannurs/glb.shtml
http://www.lgbthealth.net/
http://www.glbthealth.org/
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/glbt/providers.htm
As a lesbian nurse I have had no problems at all with coworkers, management, etc. I do not disclose my sexual orientation to my patients, it is not their business. I have never had a patient ask. I have had patients ask if I am married, to that I tell them "yes, I have a partner" or something to that effect.
Please feel free to ask more questions or PM if you would like.

My aunt who is also a lesbian nurse says the same thing. She has never had a problem either. No one needs to know anyway unless you want to share I agree.

Best wishes to you

dapototi · Dec 31, 2005

Here I go again... As an out gay man, I do not deny being gay to any of my patients. I work on an oncology unit and so we get to know our patients on a deeper level than most nurses. I wear a ring on my left ring finger because I "married" my husband five years ago. I don't ever deny who I am or who I love to any of my patients, that would be wrong. I love him and he loves me. It's that simple. If a patient can't handle that, it's OK with me, I ask another colleague to take care of them. My life and choices are not not up for discussion. I am who I am, like it or not. If you prefer another nurse who is not gay, that's up to you, I will always care for patients in the most loving, respectful manner I can think of.

glbtnurse · Dec 31, 2005

Dapototi I couldn't agree more with you. I suppose you have had 'run ins' with patients then. Would anyone think a gay/lesbian patient website be of any use to nurses?

medicrnohio, RN · Dec 31, 2005

Dapototi I couldn't agree more with you. I suppose you have had 'run ins' with patients then. Would anyone think a gay/lesbian patient website be of any use to nurses?

Could you elaborate a little more on the website idea? I'm not sure where your going with your idea.

glbtnurse · Dec 31, 2005

What I meant by gay / lesbian nursing website is that it would act like a publication where glbt nurses could exchange information about their specific experiences in the health care environment. In addition to that, one has to look at the GLBT populations' specific health care need and how one could steer health promotion to become more effective. Examine issues like homophobia in health care settings etc.

dapototi · Dec 31, 2005

I think the idea is a good one. When I went into nursing I thought there would be more gay men who were nurses, I guess that was my own misconception. I know there are many glbt nurses, but for some reason most prefer to stay closeted. I work for a hospital that employs over 3000 nurses and was surprised only 3 of us signed up for domestic partner benefits when they started ofering them last year. I know some lesbian nurses and they say it's easier for them to stay closeted, why is that?

VeryPlainJane · Dec 31, 2005

I will never for the life of me understand why it's exceptable to ask a gay person about their sex life and not a straigt person. If someone asked me what my sexual oration or my sex life I would tell them it's none of their business. And it's none of my business to know my coworkers or patient's sexual oration either. I have NO gaydar so unless they have the word gay wrote across their forehead then I never know. I treat everyone as equals.