How do the male nurses feel about perineal care?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2011

I'm with rn/writer on this one.

Sigh......the idea that nurses think much of anything at all about performing peri-care is sooooooo overplayed that it comes across as a poorly-disguised attempt to titillate. If you've been a nurse for any time at all, it's just another part of the job; if you've seen one of each, you've seen 'em all.

Besides, nursing is for grown-ups---and grown-ups don't make a big deal out of other peoples' genitalia no matter which gender they are. 'nuff said.

leslie :-D · Jan 9, 2011

Sigh......the idea that nurses think much of anything at all about performing peri-care is sooooooo overplayed that it comes across as a poorly-disguised attempt to titillate. If you've been a nurse for any time at all, it's just another part of the job; if you've seen one of each, you've seen 'em all.
Besides, nursing is for grown-ups---and grown-ups don't make a big deal out of other peoples' genitalia no matter which gender they are. 'nuff said.

i think i may be misunderstanding your post.

i happen to believe that such anxieties (as a student/new nurse) are perfectly understandable.

whether it is about peri care, cleaning bm's/vomit/blood...maybe it's me, but i do understand their reluctance.

i understand we're all grownups...but that doesn't always negate the fears that come along with a new profession. :twocents:

'nuff said.

leslie:)

mikelpn2010 · Jan 9, 2011

yes i do clean private parts of patient's why would i clean the rest of the body and not there, that would be nasty and not good nursing care.

leslie :-D · Jan 9, 2011

why would i clean the rest of the body and not there,

you'd think that all of us would get that...

but tell that to the gazillion, filthy, feces-crusted foley caths i've seen.

leslie

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2011

i think i may be misunderstanding your post.
i happen to believe that such anxieties (as a student/new nurse) are perfectly understandable.
whether it is about peri care, cleaning bm's/vomit/blood...maybe it's me, but i do understand their reluctance.
i understand we're all grownups...but that doesn't always negate the fears that come along with a new profession.
'nuff said.
leslie:)

I think you did misunderstand, Leslie. I was referring to the occasional posters who bring up this topic because they get some sort of a kick out of it---not students, new nurses or aides' reluctance in this area.

I get that. When I was 22, I was a home-health aide for exactly one week......I quit because I couldn't deal with the prospect of bathing the elderly male patients. I was newly married, not yet a mother, and I was nowhere near even the thought of becoming a nurse then so I couldn't imagine handling the genitals of a total stranger. Who'da thunk it, eh? :lol2:

CareteamRN70 · Jan 9, 2011

If the OP is a nsg like guessed at in a previous post I too could and myself had the same reluctance. Years as a tech and now an RN and to me skin is skin regardless of its exact location on the body.

I don't "Feel" anything about the actual task of washing or applying topical tx's to perineal areas anymore then I do performing feet care or oral care.

If the task happens to be nasty (patient that refuses to bathe, is inc a lot and has been skipped by at least 2 shifts of aides, or has some pretty nasty rashes+skin breakdown I just go on autopilot and focus on the outcome ie clean skin, no breakdown or tears. I have had some (rather few actually) women refuse care from me. I don't make a big deal of it just note it for report that patient so and so may prefer women to do perineal care, I also mark it down in the charting so that the pt does not miss out on skin care and bathing. I find the safest thing to do when preparing for such task is to explain to the pt what you are doing, it allows them to refuse if they so wish and also allows you to educate them on the need for your care. They may refuse you but hopefully they'll allow the care to be done by someone.

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

Kind of insulted you would even ask. How do female nurses feel about perineal care? How do female patients feel about getting care from a female? I guess it's just nurses taking care of patients.

How is the question insulting? In a female dominated profession men have different stereotypes in this profession. The OP wasnt asking about how females feel because the OP was looking for support from a male perspective. It should be that we are there to do a job, but as with anything gender gets involved, and it always will. The male CNA we have on evenings dosent like to do peri-care on females by himself, and I have no problem helping him.

caliotter3 · Jan 9, 2011

Men are sometimes accused of inappropriate behavior, more so than women. If I were a man considering nursing, this would be of interest to me.

paulwalkman · Jan 9, 2011

as a nurse, you gotta-do what you gotta-do. in my experience nurses & pts are ok with butt wiping and butt washing and even putting in a catheter, but some people get anxious about washing the male and lady-parts. i talk to my patients when washing them and encourage them to wash as much as they can to promote independence. i always ask if they would rather wash their own perineum when i reach it or if i can get started (washing the perineum). my patients appreciate my direct questioning and it’s either a yes or no. even if i had a "hot" patient i am not in that mode.

after i was in a huge accident at 32 years old i was usually told to wash my own from what i remember and when i was coherent i would not want a male nurse wash me whether or not i was able. when i started walking the rehab i was on had mostly older stroke patients and a nurses aid always asked each person if they need help in the shower. i was asked by a beautiful aid, about 19 or 20 years old if i needed help in the shower. of course i said yes! i had to wash carefully because of the unhealed scars so i could justify to myself that i needed her, but i ended up telling her “no” because i didn’t need her to help, and i would have felt dirty after the shower because i took advantage. consciences suck‼!

paul

Batman25 · Jan 10, 2011

When it comes to peri care I think less of how I feel and more how the patient must feel who needs it. It can be frightening as a student when everything is so new but as time goes on it gets much easier. It must be so tough depending on others to wipe and clean you so it's up to us to make sure they feel comfortable and know that this is part of our job and a fact of life...we all pee and poop. Keep it professional and the communication open. I always try and talk sports, family, etc. to make the time go quicker and keep things as natural a I can.

middleager · Jan 10, 2011

If you read the post "I find it hard to believe a male patient would want or even allow a male nurse to do these things". I understand how someone could read this statement either way. Is the op interjecting thier own opinion that they can not see how a male patient would allow a male to do this, which could be seen as a somewhat homophopic or personal preference comment, which could make the statement regarding female patients and female nurses more understandable, or it could be an innocent comment curious as to whether this is an issue. When the OP makes the statement "I just find it hard to believe that a male patient would'' it seems to me the Op is making a personal statement of thier feelings rather than the innocent inquiry. Maybe I am reading to much but seems pretty clear the op is stating how they feel about it personally,

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2011

Actually most male are quite comfortable with a "male nurse". BTW, you don't need to call them male nurses just as we don't say female nurse. There are so many of them in the facilities now, everyone is pretty much used to them.

I work in a LTC facility and the men who work with me have a certain way with the male residents that women don't have. They almost never give the guys a hard time. Perineal care is a routine chore in nursing and done correctly should not bother patient or nurse in the slightest.

I go to a female gyn and would much rather have someone of the same sex working on my privates than a male. My mother is just the opposite. Everyone is different so never make assumptions.