I'm a man who is changing careers to nursing. I'm married and have kids. I thought I wanted to do something like ED nursing, because it is "action packed." I'm in the middle of my OB class, and I love it.
I love having kids. I think babies are amazing. I really want to go for an OB job. I've read some older threads - some from over a decade ago - but I'm wondering how it is these days.
On paper, there's no reason I'm not qualified. I'm in the top 5% of my class and have excellent clinical reviews. Also, I have great rapport with patients. During clinicals, I've been put with difficult patients because I'm good with them.
I'm not just interested in getting the job, because I suspect that I'd get hired just to prove that they weren't discriminating. My question is whether I can succeed on a labor and delivery floor or will there be barriers that a ?
I mean....if we're gonna start telling people what they should and shouldn't be interested in based on their gender, I supposed we could go back to the Bronze Age.
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.
Keep in mind the last time you saw a female nurse ask a male patient if he'd like a female to put in a Foley, which was never, and the last time you had another nurse give you needle eyes for wanting to teach a new mother how to breastfeed
I can't believe some of the responses you have had. We have male drs, male anesthesetists, male OR techs, Male RNs, Male LVNs, male nursing students and instructors. WHY in the world can we not have male OB nurses???? This is blatant gender discrimination from some of the replies. Follow your heart and your passion. I had a male PP nurse and it didn't bother me a bit. GO FOR IT and good luck!
Its the double standard. Its ok to say a male can't do something but not ok to say a female can't.
The nurse I had for the delivery of first baby was a man- he was awesome! It was very helpful that he was strong and able to help me move after I got my epidural. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great!
Also, wow, until I read this thread it never crossed my mind that it was weird that I had a male L&D nurse... maybe because I'm in the SF Bay Area and there are tons of male nurses here- perhaps it is different elsewhere? My nurse was considered the best on the floor (when I had my 2nd baby I asked about him and was told he had moved to a different hospital, but all his co workers talked about how great he was). I am just used to nurses being both male and female, just like OBs are both male and female. Never occurred to me to care which I got.
You can succeed as a male OB nurse! I've been in OB for my entire career and it's been wonderful. I've been in Labor and Delivery since February and I'm not he only male nurse at my facility. Since I started I've only had two patients refuse my care and it was for cultural/religious reasons only. (I work in an area with a lot of Ethiopian women.) My patients and I bond and they are completely comfortable with the care I provide. It's really all about building good rapport and acting in a professional manner. If you are interested in OB nursing go for it! The fact is it's mostly other nurses who have a problem with men in OB ... not the patients.
Also ... AWHONN released a position statement about this very thing, encouraging men into OB nursing. Anyone discouraging you from going into OB is merely discriminating against you based on gender.
I know a man who was a very successful OB/L&D nurse for many years and retired a few years ago. If that nursing specialty is what you want, you owe it to yourself to at least try to get a job in the field.
busybeeSN
47 Posts
One of my favorite nurses when I gave birth was male. I'm sure you can do it.