Male Student Nurse Interested in OB.

[jbjints]

Hi:

I am three semesters away from graduating and so far I have liked OB the most. What I am worried about is that me being a male could be a problem which is understandable. My intentions are all good and so far I have been most comfortable working with newborn's and their mother's.

I have talked to a few female student's and they believe that I would be fine in OB because I have a good personality and because they have seen me in the OB setting and they have noticed that all female patient's seem very comfortable speaking with me and allowing me to provide them with care.

What worries me is that an OB nurse manager which are of course predominantly women wouldn't even consider hiring a male for the OB department. Should I just forget about it now or should I continue networking myself and complete my practicum in OB?

I would appreciate all feedback whether good or bad. Thanks.

[Chewie_123]

If it is you passion and what you want to do, don't let anyone stop you.

My hospital has several guys who work OB.

[pharmgirl]

If that is where you want to work then go for it. My mother who was recently hospitalized actually prefers male nurses over females. Imagine her delight when "James" came in to be her midnight nurse LOL. I think the stereotype is slowly slipping away...slowly, but still. Go for it!!! Like the previous poster said, don't let anyone stop you

[J9G2008]

I don't know...my ob doc is male, and I've never had any problem with him seeing my girly bits! Also, in the delivery room, my CRNA was male. I think that if you're respectful of the patient's dignity (not pulling up the gown and showing the whole world my breasts/perineum/what-have-you) then it wouldn't be a problem. Although certain cultures may have more issues with it than others.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I would post this question in the specialist section or in the male nurses section. I suspect they can give you great feedback.

Also, nothing prevents you from having an informational discussion with someone senior in OB at your local hospital. I have done this at two of my local ER's and they gave me great guidance.

No one should be able to give you a hard time. After all people don't run around questioning the motives of male OBGYNs.

Good Luck

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

In my area (which is all I can speak for) there are some managers that don't/won't hire men and some that do. My supervisor's husband is also a RN that works L&D and postpartum at a different hospital. His patients love him.

If this is something that you enjoy, then please don't let the idea of NMs here and there not hiring you stand in your way. If you keep knocking, eventually the door will open, though maybe not immediately, as M/B or L&D jobs are sometimes hard to come by anyway. If you are a good nurse that will show, whether you are male or female.

Definitely continue your practicum! You may have the occasional patient that would prefer a female RN for whatever reason but that's not personal. There are enough women that wouldn't care (myself included ) that you'd still have a job. Go for it, and don't let one or two people get you down if they have. Also, check out the Men in Nursing and Male Nursing Student forums as that topic comes up pretty regularly. Best to you. :)

[Sarah Hay]

Equal Oppurtunity Employer

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I've seen male nurses in OB floors...not many of them, true, but they are there. In fact, when I was having my own child one of the nurses was male...and I felt no discomfort at all with him taking care of me, and he did just as great of a job as the females did.

If OB is what you want to go, then I say go for it!

[jessi11]

Hi,

I would say ask for OB managers opinions in some hospitals before making a step. I believe they will agree. Good luck :-)

[kalley]

I say go for it! I have heard of male OB nurses, though I have never seen it. I work p/t on an OB floor as a tech and have seen many male nursing students going through their rotation. Most women don't mind at all. Also, to take it one step further, there is a male midwife in our area, and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him. Good luck in your future endeavors!

[Music in My Heart]

The reality is that you will have fewer options as a man because, for some nurses and patients, there remains a clear bias against male nurses providing peripartum care.

On the other hand, there are men who do it and there are patients who think they're excellent.

Personally, I'd try to get a read on the OB departments in the local hospitals to help ascertain the likelihood of facing discrimination.