Gay male nurses?

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Hey, I'm going into a nusing program and I'm a gay male and I've had some concerns reading some of these posts. I know I want this as a career and I'm not going to look into a new profession but theres still lingering issues. I know males have to cover their @ss's when dealing with female patients because they are male. And because I'm gay I can only imagine I have to cover my ass with dealing with male patients too. But I mean I cant exactly have someone tailing me all day long at the hospital and I cant very well strap a camera to my head for evidence I did nothing wrong. It's really concerning me though, I mean im not really sure what to do and i want to stay in this field. I guess I'm just getting over worried but some of these posts are kind of O_O..... for lack of better words. Anyone have any advice or maybe some storys they could tell to help me feel better or get rid of some of this concern?

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Remember that this forum is reflective not usually of the every day experience but often of folks pondering worst case scenarios or embroiled in some conflict.

Respecting people's dignity goes a long way towards alleviating problems. You certainly should be able to tell if someone is uncomfortable with your gender or gender preference and compensate accordingly, usually by getting a co-worker to unobtrusively be a witness.

Don't worry.

:)

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There is no reason you would have to CYA any more than the rest of us males. Your patients aren't going to know you are gay...I don't imagine you'd be silly enough to start hitting on your patients...so don't worry about it. Do your job, do it professionally and you'll be golden.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
There is no reason you would have to CYA any more than the rest of us males. Your patients aren't going to know you are gay...I don't imagine you'd be silly enough to start hitting on your patients...so don't worry about it. Do your job, do it professionally and you'll be golden.

I pretty much agree with this poster.

Stay professional in all matters, with females and males, and you won't have to worry.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I agree with above. I don't see where being gay would be any different. I've never hit on any patient, male or female, and I've never been accused of anything either. Getting through nursing school is a bigger worry now. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Gay nurses, Lesbian nurses, Hetero nurses, Gay physicians, Lesbian physicians, Hetero physicians....sexual orientation really has nothing to do with one's profession here...or with one's professionalism.

My best to yah.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Hey, I'm going into a nusing program and I'm a gay male and I've had some concerns reading some of these posts. I know I want this as a career and I'm not going to look into a new profession but theres still lingering issues. I know males have to cover their @ss's when dealing with female patients because they are male. And because I'm gay I can only imagine I have to cover my ass with dealing with male patients too. But I mean I cant exactly have someone tailing me all day long at the hospital and I cant very well strap a camera to my head for evidence I did nothing wrong. It's really concerning me though, I mean im not really sure what to do and i want to stay in this field. I guess I'm just getting over worried but some of these posts are kind of O_O..... for lack of better words. Anyone have any advice or maybe some storys they could tell to help me feel better or get rid of some of this concern?

yea dude,

personally I am not gay,

It is not my thing, if its your thing, so be it

If you have issues of sexuality and you bring them

work, be it heterosexual or homosexual, then

you might have problems.

As an example, I do physical exams on women, men

and children when I was in FNP school, I still do my ICU nursing

assestment on patients in the ICU, both male and female.

They are people with real problems that are here to be take care of

Bottom line is, if you can leave the sexuality of it at home, then you dont

really need to be in the health care field, because patients trust us with their health

dignity and lives. This applies to both men and women, Gay or Straight. I might have my own opinion about

things, but none of that matters to the patient. If it is an issue you cant work through or if your paranoid about

then consider another profession

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i agree with all of the above i’m sure you will do just fine. however i do understand your concern though. keep in touch let me know how things turn out for you.

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hey patrick1rn, how long have you been in this field? you sound as if you have plenty experience!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
hey patrick1rn, how long have you been in this field? you sound as if you have plenty experience!!

why do you ask ? i am curious, how long have you been in the health care field ?

i have been an army medic both active duty and in the national guard for 19 yrs.

i have been an rn for 10 yrs

i just graduated in dec from fnp school

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities.

I asked a similar question in my class and my teachers said something that made sense. They told me, usually if a pt. needs the type of care where you are involved with their privates, they are usually more thankful that the care was given than worrying themselves with any possible sexual misunderstandings.

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

I know of two gay males in my area, one RN and one tech. They have no problems related to their orientation. If you just do your job in a professional manner you'll be fine.

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