How can I work specifically with GLBT patients?

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Is there any way that as a Nurse (2B), I could work specifically with GLBT patients?

Specializes in Hospice.
Thanks Heron.

My pleasure. PM if you think I can be of help.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Some people prefer to work for target communities, I see nothing wrong with that. Some want to work in the inner city, others in rural areas, some want to work in rich hospitals in Beverly Hills. The OP feels called to help the GLBT community.

All the more power to him/her. Not everyone is the same.

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Specializes in Emergency.

You probably wouldn't be able to find work caring specifically for GLBT pts. There isn't "GLBT-specific" hospitals, just like there isn't "caucasian-specific" hospitals.

Depending on the area you live, there may be local organizations that have outreach facilities for GLBT pts to seek medical care (mostly partnered with STD clinics). Most of these organizations are volunteer-only.

Personally, I do not consider GLBT to be an illness. So, caring for pts that consider themselves to be GLBT would often be caring for pts who are uninsured or underinsured (essentially, caring for them and their unique medical needs because they are uninsured/underinsured; not caring for them because they are gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender). The right route would be to focus on community health nursing, and volunteering at existing clinics that serve this pt population.

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here are a few links i hope you find helpful.

take a look around, and see where they lead you.

http://www.glbthealth.org/resources_two.html

scroll down to organizations/agencies-national

http://www.hrc.org/issues/8310.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gaylesbianandtransgenderhealth.html

leslie

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Why can't people just work with PEOPLE?........ You're just pointing the discriminatory finger away from your chosen group.

Why can't everyone just get along?

Some people prefer to work for target communities, I see nothing wrong with that. Some want to work in the inner city, others in rural areas, some want to work in rich hospitals in Beverly Hills. The OP feels called to help the GLBT community.

All the more power to him/her. Not everyone is the same.

I agree FireStarterRN, With just the question to go by, it's not fair to think the person is being prejudiced or separatist.

Many people for example chose to do women's health (many major cities even have entire buildings devoted to women), native American health, work in free clinics with the homeless populations, migrant worker health outreaches, pediatrics, rape victims, etc.

Nothing wrong with targeting a population. I guess it depends on the intention, but as I said, it's not fair to infer any kind of intention on the OP.

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

The question is good... for her information.... the approach is bad..... if she just wants to be an exclusiviste one approach (elites versus all others, my group versus your group, all these type of segregations.... will born monsters who will fallow you) heyyyyy.... look at me, how I look after a meeting with the monsters, looool

Now back to your questions... you want to be there, yup??? Go for it... if you really wants to help people you will find them. Or they will fpund you somehow, lool.

For me my first job in LGBT community was easy... they gave an journal announce that search someone with the same background like me, at that moment, I was just perfect for the position. The community was awesome, me scarried, a lot with what I do. They needed at that moment a straight one to judge straight, logical, and to be PROUD with what she does. And I was, so proud that at one moment I was in situation to choose to be agree or not with somenthing that could affect the life of my new friends.but keep me stable financial..... is a strange world there some time....to many involved...you need to be carefull. And like always , as a pain in the ass that i am,lol, for all my superiors, loool, I said NO! If you want to do it, YOU will do it, not me, these people have trust in me... **** you... and I resign! My husband told me, you ruin your carrier, you have a soo good start, we will loose money......I said... TRIPLE ****, I will not do it! And I resigned!

Is not like in Lworld or in romance movies for gays, when two nurses love each other and sing, looool, is fiction, reality hurt! people are bad in this ******* reality and they could be bought so easy...loooool. The money is the king! LOOOOOL

But you could do it! Go and do it, you will find your way if you are enough motivated, LGBTs guys will be stucked with your heart and soul but be carefull you will find and a lot of unbalanced ones that will crack you down is life, lived, loool. I really miss my short job there, may be one day... I will comeback. ANd by the way my smart soft supervisor, was a model of balance for me, smart, beautifull, balanced, and not alone, looooool!:D.

Are a lot of centers and organisations, couple of them do counselling, are also outreach programs on the street (I LOVE IT, yuhuuuu, what a times)... I don't know how is here in US, not yet in my carrer path this option, but you gave me an ideea, loool,... go for resources on a LGBT center and ask for help, for a list with centers in your area, call them and ask them one by one!

But people are all over, don't let your self closed in rigid mentallities, be a nurse for all, the same! And be yourself!

And all these advice come from me, a NON LGBT gurl who worked for them! So is possible!

Good luck hon! Hugs! Love your ideea! :heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pedi., Critical Care.
:confused: What the.....?????
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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

Pink , one of the future nurses want to know how she could be nurse for LGBT community. I let her know my experience like a resource nurse in my foreign country inside to an LGBT community. And how she could find the job that she wants. Now is clear???? I don't know how thinks are working here, so if you could help her do it! If she wants to be nurse on LGBT overseas, loooool, than is another way...looool, relax Pink! :D

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Specializes in PCT/CNA/HHA.

Thank you for your response.

However, I never stated that I considered GLBT to be an "illness"; I was just curious to know if I could work with GLBT in any way (Surg, Psych etc.). As someone stated, everyone has an area of interest whether it be to work somewhere based on the economic demographic, or to work in a specific unit (Pediatrics) for example. Health Care is very broad and does not only deal with physical illness so its unfair for you to assume I'm saying that GLBT are "sick" or "OTHER" in any way . I was just wondering if I would be able to work with GLBT communities with my Nursing degree. For example, another poster suggested working with Transexuals who are in transition (Thank you so much for that suggestion, BTW!).

I'd also like to thank everyone else who has provided me with suggestions and resources! THANK YOU SOO MUCH! :) :)

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Specializes in PCT/CNA/HHA.

My intention was not to exclude people who are not GLBT. I just have a particular interest in working with GLBT communities. For example, people in transition (Transgender) Post-Op and Pre-Op, maybe working in a GLBT youth shelter for example etc. Much like other people choose to work with only children, women, or patients in need of genital evaluation (Gyno), I just have an interest in working with GLBT. I dont see how you are equating this interest with being racist or bias.

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

You are very welcome Serendipity! Dosen't matter where you will work as soon you will be a good nurse, for ALL! And don't be curios, lool, stay your self! When you will search for your future path carrier... go for it if you fell it, if not...and you are just curios.... run away is not your job! I am biased now, by facts and by cultural background, but never, ever, wish somenthing that is not fitted with your personality and you will want to do it just for money, will not work, will be a pain. Ask yourself this, before someone else will ask you, why you are soo curios about this nursing part, loooool???

A lot of good wishes, take care of you and be good!:)

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My intention was not to exclude people who are not GLBT. I just have a particular interest in working with GLBT communities. For example, people in transition (Transgender) Post-Op and Pre-Op, maybe working in a GLBT youth shelter for example etc. Much like other people choose to work with only children, women, or patients in need of genital evaluation (Gyno), I just have an interest in working with GLBT. I dont see how you are equating this interest with being racist or predudice.

you are NOT being racist or prejudice...

nor should you have to defend what population you prefer to work with.:twocents:

leslie

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