How will our new grad Male RN work in L &D?

[ragingmomster]

Our unit has hired a male new grad RN to work in L&D, he starts later this summer. I do not have any experience with this situation because I think it is rare and I only have 2 years experience in L&D.

Some of our nurses are concerned with having this RN do checks without a chaperone and insist that having a male RN will be like a millstone around the neck of the rest of us who are already overworked.

Not one to turn up my nose at something new, I am looking for RNs with experience in working with a male RN in L&D. Better yet, any male RNs willing to share their experiences so that I can share information with my co-workers.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

I did say that MY PREFERENCE is a female b/c I PERSONALLY wouldn't not feel comfortable with a male OBGYN or L&D Nurse.

As I said in MY CASE it is NOT discriminattion, IT IS MY PREFERENCE.

Sigh.....Hopefully the day will soon come when some people get over themselves and realize that they have no idea what is going on in someone ele's head, no matter how intelligent they think they are.

It is discrimination AND preference.

If someone were to say that they would prefer not to live in the inner city due to the large population of minorities, would you not call that discrimination?

If someone were to say they would prefer not to have a black waiter, would you not call that discrimination?

If someone were to say that they would prefer their children not date somebody of a certain ethnicity, would you not call that discrimination?

It is discrimination, just not institutionalized. If you're fine with that, so be it, but don't dress it up and pretend it is anything but discrimination.

Your personal preference is simply prejudice. Acting on such prejudice is discrimination. By definition. I'm not judging you in any respects here: discrimination and prejudice can be justified. It just is what it is.

For the record, I'm a male nursing student that loves L&D, but am not planning on going anywhere near it after graduation out of not wanting to bother with the hysteria and histrionics that would likely result from my entering that field (demonstrated excellently on this board, amongst other places).

Matt

[FocusRN]

It is discrimination AND preference.

If someone were to say that they would prefer not to live in the inner city due to the large population of minorities, would you not call that discrimination?

If someone were to say they would prefer not to have a black waiter, would you not call that discrimination?

If someone were to say that they would prefer their children not date somebody of a certain ethnicity, would you not call that discrimination?

It is discrimination, just not institutionalized. If you're fine with that, so be it, but don't dress it up and pretend it is anything but discrimination.

Your personal preference is simply prejudice. Acting on such prejudice is discrimination. By definition. I'm not judging you in any respects here: discrimination and prejudice can be justified. It just is what it is.

For the record, I'm a male nursing student that loves L&D, but am not planning on going anywhere near it after graduation out of not wanting to bother with the hysteria and histrionics that would likely result from my entering that field (demonstrated excellently on this board, amongst other places).

Matt

Okay, now I'm getting kind of tired. I'll explain one more time. While I am explaining please remeber that I am an African American, Hispanic, Female.

Your questions are not relevant. And you are repeatidly trying to make my decision, and racially motivated decisions one in the same.

I don't want male male LD nurse or OB, because I do not want ANY male besides my husband anywhere NEAR my lady parts (in addition to other reasons, some of which I have named, none of which are based on "Hate " for males. Period. A male nurse or doc in any other area, fine.

Let me give you the definition of prejudice:

an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

My preference was not formed withour knowledge, thought, or reason.

Now let me give you the definition of discrimination:

unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice

Now lets put it all together. Since My preference was not formed withour knowledge, thought, or reason (the definition of prejudice); it can't possibly be discimination because by definition is based on prejudice.

Now let's go over some acts of discrimination is prejudice:

My mother not being allowed to go to an elementary school, a block away from her childhood home, b/c of her ethinicity.

My mother and two of my aunts (when intergration began), having rocks thrown at them and being called tar baby's on a daily basis, going to school.

My father being on his high school football team, as quarrterback in his senior year, after winning a chapionship, being left out of the team photo, because he was the ONLY black player.

And last but not least on my mind at the moment.....

My husband and I, being seated in the back area of Red Lobster (in Metairie, LA), with all other minoriets, while those that were white or at least looked liked it were seated in the front.

I have experienced more discrimination in my short lifetime, than you could imagine. And, I would not put that on anyone else. So, you can take your JUDGEMENT, and sit on it.

[darrell]

I have been an EMT for two years, a student nurse for one and a patient care assistant for a year and a half. I am male, 49 years of age and I have worked with female patients from 15 to 95. In a very few cases - less than ten totaling all my varied hats - a female has asked for attention from another female as opposed to me.

In a couple of those situations, I was unable to oblige, but usually I can do so. If, however, a large percentage of female patients were to make this request, the system would overload as we (the hospital, the ambulance service) don't keep a reserve staff of female employees sitting in the breakroom waiting for such calls!

I work a respiratory floor with patients of middle-age and older. Many are female and have been cared for by both male nurses and male care assistants without chaperoning. For what it's worth, I've never heard of any issues arising from this policy. I'm sure it comes up now and again, but it's rare enough to be under my radar.

I had a lady this past weekend who needed to transfer to a commode and wanted a female attendant. None were available, although two nurses said they would help as soon as they finished the current patient's meds. I relayed this to my patient, who then chose to have me help rather than wait. The closest I got to social impropriety was helping lower her underwear before seating because her balance was not up to par. Her gown kept her pretty decently covered and the move was done with dignity.

When I run into this, I state my credentials to the patient and explain briefly the delay that will be caused by the request. I do this not only for the patient's sake, but for that of the coworkers who will need to stand in for me.

I know this isn't exactly what was asked for, but I think it's related. I've had digital rectal exams from a female PA and been naked in front of female professionals. It does feel a bit strange, but so do many things in life. I think we should try to oblige in non-life-threatening situations, but I also think we should promote the concept of gender-neutral health care whenever the patient is game to try.

I'm OK with women wanting to be doctors and PAs and such as long as they respect my dignity in situations where it might be vulnerable. Under such conditions, I do not have a woman near my member. I have a doctor performing a procedure. My choice, I know, but something that I think should be encouraged from all patients.

Personally, I will never violate the trust of someone depending upon me with any improper behavior. I honestly believe this is also true of all the men I work with as well as the women. As with priest and educational professionals, I hope that this is the rule for our industry and that the number of exceptions are far less than media hype would have us believe.

D

[organichombre, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

This is an interesting situation. First off male nurses are not required by nursing boards to have chaperones nor are md's at least in Ky. Secondly as someone else replied the danger of sexual discrimination charges are very real if an individual feels that he is unwanted due to his gender. It would be difficult to justify your concerns that it makes more work for you unless of course your facility requires chaperones for routine nursing assessments. And finally I think the real challenge or c/o may come from the male spouse of these women who do not want a male nurse seeing their lady's privates!

A male nurse in a veterans hospital...

[mcmike55]

A male nurse in L & D, and a new grad on a specialty unit. Two interesting topics rolled into one!

As far as the male nurse issue, you know, male nurses "invaded" the all female nursing units years ago, there probably was some concerns, but it all worked out. Same for new grads on speciality units, sometimes it can be a good, sometimes I'm not so sure. Depends on the grad and the unit I guess.

In my mind is the issue of taking someone else along to do an exam.

In my opinion, it should be the same either way. If a male is doing an exam on a female pt, another female should go along. On the other hand, if a female is doing an exam on a male pt, shouldn't another male go along??

I'm not sure of the correct answer I guess either way, but in this age of litigations everywhere, shouldn't this be an issue that is nailed down tight, by hospital policy?

If the new male grad is reading this,,,,welcome, I've been in the business for 3 decades and glad I'm here, most of the time.

Hang in there, you're not alone.

Mike

[darrell]

...And finally I think the real challenge or c/o may come from the male spouse of these women who do not want a male nurse seeing their lady's privates!

A male nurse in a veterans hospital...

Here's where I think the professionalism pays off. For my part, I let the patient know right away I will honor the request as it's all the same to me. There are usually consequences, such as delayed service, but I imagine that holds true for other special requests, too, such as diets or religious needs. The decision to move ahead or rethink comes from the patient (or family member), thus returning to them a sense of control.

If I am chosen for the procedure, my goal have the patient complimenting me for how comfortable she ended up feeling during it. Or, in other words, for my professionalism.

Men may object to other men, but are often (in my experience) less stressed over a professional title. A man should not be seeing this, but a doctor can be acceptable...

D

[NoahNS]

As a "New Grad," myself, this has been a very edifying and fascinating topic. I really appreciate all the very different posts/perspectives offered. Most have been very encouraging, but... some have been noteworthy warnings as well.

Thank you... all.

[myeire]

I hope no one minds that I am posting on this thread. I will state first that I am NOT a nurse or a student nurse.

I just thought that the OP might be interested in hearing from a "civilian" who hopefully one day will be a patient in a L&D dept.

If a male nurse walked into my room I would not be surprised or upset. I would be fine with him as my nurse, until it came time for him to have to check me in areas that I consider to be very personal and private.

For me, my breasts and pelvic area are two places that only my husband should see and touch. Just as his groin and chest area are the only place that I should see and touch...it's not for anybody else.

Does this mean I prefer a female doc or nurse pooking and prodding in those areas? No, but it's a little more comfortable with females then a male. Like I said, for me those areas are very personal and private and I'm not comfortable with people except for my husband touching me there.

I truly believe that a male nurse can be just as good as a female nurse. As long as the person is a caring person and truly cares about helping people getting better and making sure they are comfortable then that's all that matters.

For your male nurse coming in, I see no reason that he can not be a wonderful addition to your team. I think it's important the he knows and understands that there are just some women who might not be comfortable with him examing certain parts of their bodies.

Now, maybe me as a patient would be causing a lot more problems by not minding having a male nurse take care of me, up until a pelvic exam is requiered and then wanting a female nurse do that. But, I'm afraid that's what I would prefer.

I guess some people, men and women, are just far more private then others. I know there are a lot of women who have a roomful of people while they give birth, mothers, mother-in-laws, sisters, friends etc. But I know for me the only ones I want in the room with me are my husband and only the neccesary medical professionals, women being prefered and requested.

Yes, I know that no one is "looking" at that area while you are giving birth, but to me the whole process is personal and not something for a crowd. Once the baby is born and I'm no longer "exposed" then everyone is more then welcome to come and see the new little bundle of joy.

If by preferring a female staff when it comes to any pelvic exams or the actual birth itself makes me discriminatory, then I do apologize because it's not my intention to make someone feel less of a person based on their gender. But, if by having a male nurse in the room during specifics exams or a male doc performing the exam, makes me so stressed out to the point that I become withdrawn and possibly in tears, then it's not worth it to me to put myself through that kind of stress. It's stressful enough having to have a female do certain exams that it takes a lot for me to be able to go and have it done.

Just my opinion. I hope this helps the OP in understanding how some patients might feel about having a male nurse in the L&D dept.

[darrell]

...I just thought that the OP might be interested in hearing from a "civilian" who hopefully one day will be a patient in a L&D dept.

If a male nurse walked into my room I would not be surprised or upset. I would be fine with him as my nurse, until it came time for him to have to check me in areas that I consider to be very personal and private.

...

It's stressful enough having to have a female do certain exams that it takes a lot for me to be able to go and have it done.

Just my opinion. I hope this helps the OP in understanding how some patients might feel about having a male nurse in the L&D dept.

Wow, Myeire, that was very eloquently and gracefully written. You have just managed to send me from the room without making me feel like some kind of unprofessional molester. Thank you.

You also helped me realize that that description is exactly why this thread gets under my skin. I don't like being thought of as having some ulterior sexual motive just because I am male. Intellectually I understood that personal preferences are likely not based on such an opinion, but emotionally I was getting my back up a bit. Thanks for a shift in perspective!

All patients deserve to have their wishes respected to whatever point the system can honor them. Once again, I'm reminded how much is in the communication skills when we as humans discuss things.

D

[Dialysister]

This should not even be an issue. I am so disgusted by the gender bias in nursing. No-one questions a male ob/gyn physician, why should they question a skilled trained nurse?

[58flyer]

I know this isn't exactly what was asked for, but I think it's related. I've had digital rectal exams from a female PA and been naked in front of female professionals. It does feel a bit strange, but so do many things in life. I think we should try to oblige in non-life-threatening situations, but I also think we should promote the concept of gender-neutral health care whenever the patient is game to try.D

Off topic I know but I have to ask. When you say naked do you mean literally or figuratively? We know that current standards of practice require that patients be draped for comfort and privacy. To deny a patient, even a male, the comforts of proper draping during a procedure or exam is cruel and disrespectful.

Back on topic, how a healthcare professional presents him/herself directly influences patient acceptance. A caring attitude will win trust as fast as a disrespectful attitude will destroy it.

[AgentOrange]

My female doctor always calls in another female nurse to witness when she does a pelvic on me. Abuse happenings & accusations aren't limited to one gender.