Talk about nosey...sheesh!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Today I had to go in for my physical for my CNA course. When I first walked back to the little room they put you in for exams, the nurse had equipment laid out for a pelvic exam. Um, NOPE! I let her know that I was in for a physical for school and that wont be needed.

The doc comes in and starts the physical and she tells me that it says on the paper for the physical that she is to do a pelvic exam...WHAT?? I explained to her that there is no way that she is doing a pelvic exam on me as I just had my yearly RECENTLY. She tried to talk me into doing it but no, it is not necessary!

What business is THAT of my school? Really? I understand illnesses and such, but a pelvic exam? Sounds like they are just being too nosey to me.:angryfire

And some of the other questions they asked were about my brothers and sisters. HUH? It asked on the form about their ages, health status..and blah blah blah... I was shocked that they wanted so much personal information. I can understand asking about my parents, but my siblings?

Am I just being over sensitive or are they just being plain nosey??

MissLo

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, MissLo.

When I had my physical for school, the doctor checked "defer" on the gyno check. It was NOT necessary. Call your school and ask the person in charge of that, whether it is necessary. If it is, ask if they would accept a signed statement from whomever did your yearly. Please call and check. I would feel upset about that, too.

Good luck,

Emma

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Barring an emergency the only person I would have do my gyno exam is my own personal gyno. You handled it well. Glad you weren't persuaded to do something that made you uncomfortable. If the school says this is mandatory I would bring in a note from my own doc. That should more than suffice. From what I understand from friends however pelvics aren't part of this process. Hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, really. Those forms are beyond nosy. I wrote on the form "I decline this portion of the exam as these parts will NEVER come into play during my career as a nurse."

Then I called up the school and told them off, and was told it was a state (BON?) requirement, but they've never bugged me for having an incomplete physical.

The school needs to know 1) I'm properly immunized 2) I'm mentally stable 3) I'm physically able (or what accomodations I will need) and beyond that, MYOB, imo.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes...I needed that as well for Nursing. I told them I wasn't getting a pelvic exam that I had one last January and I already had my appointment set up this January, so not necessary. They didn't do it, but wanted my records from my doctors office before he would sign off on my form. He asked me all the same questions. I think they are just trying to get an idea of what may or may not run in your family. The older I get, the more they ask me about my siblings...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

Mine didn't have that, but they did have a box to check for examination of my genitalia. Doc didn't do this as I had seen him for my yearly and he's seen the parts before. Had he said I needed another pelvic, I would have refused. It was bad enough that I've had 5 TB tests because of this that and the other thing...none of which have anything to do with me being at risk for TB.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

The school where I got my BSN and MN required female students to have had a pap smear done in the last year. If I remember correctly, the provider filling out the form only had to indicate that it was done, not what the results were.

Asking about siblings is pretty standard as part of the family medical history. I don't think that's being too nosey; it gives information that might be important. If, for example, your sister had breast cancer or your brother had a heart attack at an early age, you might be at increased risk for those things and will need to be watched more carefully, medically.

Of course I'm going on the assumption that those were the provider's questions, not the school's. I'm not so sure that should be on the school's health forms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess I'm lucky - my last employment physical consisted of vitals, bending over to check for curvature of the spine, pushing and pulling against the dr's hands, etc. Pretty basic.

NO way would I consent to a pelvic. My lady parts is none of their business.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The school where I got my BSN and MN required female students to have had a pap smear done in the last year. If I remember correctly, the provider filling out the form only had to indicate that it was done, not what the results were.

Asking about siblings is pretty standard as part of the family medical history. I don't think that's being too nosey; it gives information that might be important. If, for example, your sister had breast cancer or your brother had a heart attack at an early age, you might be at increased risk for those things and will need to be watched more carefully, medically.

Of course I'm going on the assumption that those were the provider's questions, not the school's. I'm not so sure that should be on the school's health forms.

It was on the school form, I read it to see if she was correct.

The part about my siblings, my sisters both have Hep B from bad choices made in their younger years. And my brothers have poor health from drug abuse and alcohol abuse. I just can't seem to justify giving out that info unless it is something I am willing to share on my own. Their illnesses have nothing to do with me. I am not going to suffer the same illnesses as them, as I have never been a drug abuser.

As far as the pelvic exam, if I was going to take a course to be an exotic dancer, I can see where this might be important, however, I'm not and I just feel like they are invading my privacy. I was shocked when the doctor told me it was required.

I have to go to the school tomorrow and I plan to ask them about it. Hopefully, this wont hinder my education.

MissLo

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would draw a line through the part asking about your siblings. That info shouldn't be mandatory. It's confidential info and your school has no business knowing about your siblings health.

If they insist on your lady parts needing to be examined I would tell them your own doc will sign off on it. The doc could just check the box and that will be that. They are under no further obligation. If they insisted on having their doc do the exam that would concern me greatly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi, MissLo.

When I had my physical for school, the doctor checked "defer" on the gyno check. It was NOT necessary. Call your school and ask the person in charge of that, whether it is necessary. If it is, ask if they would accept a signed statement from whomever did your yearly. Please call and check. I would feel upset about that, too.

Good luck,

Emma

Hi Emma, I am going to do just that. Thank you for offering that advice!

MissLo

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The school where I got my BSN and MN required female students to have had a pap smear done in the last year. If I remember correctly, the provider filling out the form only had to indicate that it was done, not what the results were.

Just curious as to why the school would care about a pap smear. It's a great thing for all women to have to protect their own health, but I find it a little bothersome that it is required. Just wondering if anyone could shed some light. TY.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment