How do you feel about male nurses in OB/GYN/NICU?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hello,

I just finished my preceptorship and will be graduating in December. I really enjoyed my clinical rotations in OB/GYN, but there are no male nurses. My longterm goal is to be a NICU nurse. I was hoping to get some comments regarding men in this specific field of nursing.

Thank you

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
Where I live male OB/GYN's do not go in and do a lady partsl exam on a patient without a female nurse in the room with him. Male OB nurses would not work because they wouldn't be allowed to examine a woman without another nurse present, so what's the point? I think male nurses would be fine in Peds and NICU, most just seem to be drawn to ER and ICU in my experience. I may be old school, but an L&D nurse is bonding with a laboring woman in a different capacity than the MD is, I think it would be weird and inappropriate for the nurse to be male. It would be like having a male midwife. I think birth is mostly a domain where women should support other women.

I'm curious where you are located? Is it in the US?

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Specializes in L and D.

You totally have a right to your opinion; however, I happen to think it is wrong lol. I was in the army for 10 years, just got out in sept. my last 3 were spent as an RN in an LDRP. We had male Soldiers ( very manly men, mostly were medics who went to m6 school) who worked with us and while mot didn't choose to be there ( you know how the army is) they were still great nurses on our ward. We also had male civilian nurses who worked in the ICN and thy were some of the most passionate, caring, amazing ( and not at all feminine) nurses I know. No, our field isn't for everyone, but of you truly have a passion for it then you should pursue it with all your might. Someone saying a Male shouldn't because its "feminine" is like saying a woman shouldn't be in politics ( or bodybuilding or attorneys or whatever else) because it is " masculine"

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Specializes in Surgical,Peds,MBU,LDR.
You totally have a right to your opinion; however, I happen to think it is wrong lol. I was in the army for 10 years, just got out in sept. my last 3 were spent as an RN in an LDRP. We had male Soldiers ( very manly men, mostly were medics who went to m6 school) who worked with us and while mot didn't choose to be there ( you know how the army is) they were still great nurses on our ward. We also had male civilian nurses who worked in the ICN and thy were some of the most passionate, caring, amazing ( and not at all feminine) nurses I know. No, our field isn't for everyone, but of you truly have a passion for it then you should pursue it with all your might. Someone saying a Male shouldn't because its "feminine" is like saying a woman shouldn't be in politics ( or bodybuilding or attorneys or whatever else) because it is " masculine"

Well said!

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I say go for your passion, I have been in postpartum for over 6 years, and love it!!!! Most women obviously don't mind their male OB/ GYN why should they mind a male nurse? At the end of the day a nurse is a nurse and your there to do a job!!!!! Good luck in whatever path you choose!

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Specializes in L&D, OR, postpartum, pedi, OBGYN clinic.

We have 2 male techs on our L&D and the patient's have no issues. They work in the labor room, OR and we have never had any issues. Go for it :) NICU is totally open as well!

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jenrninmi said:

NICU, sure.

I never understood why a male nurse would want to do l&d or mother/baby though. Male OB's - they're surgeons. But again, I don't really understand why a male would want to do ob/gyn except to be around women a lot. Just ridiculous imo. Flame me if you want, (actually I'd prefer you didn't) but that's just the way I feel. I also don't understand why a female would want to be a proctologist. I love everything l&d but that's because I've been through it myself etc. I know what if feels like to be in labor and to hold my baby for the first time. I guess being married to a very "manly man" who is an engineer and also in the Army... I don't know any feminine men. Ob is a very feminine field. And a male better have a very good reason why they need to be all up in a female patient's business...

I know I'm not the only one that feels this way, just the only one here that has the guts to say it.

Toxic as heck, you're part of the problem. Yeah, I don't care if this was from 2012. 

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Agree, Dizzycarrot. 11 years later and I feel even more strongly now than I did in 2012, that if a dude wants to be an L&D nurse, go for it. As a hiring manager, I wouldn't hesitate to hire a guy in L&D.

I also had to laugh again about the person who said that she doesn't understand why women would want to be a proctologist. I happen to be friends and colleagues with a female proctologist (although she calls herself a colorectal specialist) and she's pretty freaking awesome.

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