I think I'm professional, but now I'm not so sure, after I told some American friends that as a male nurse, I don't catheterize women.
'That's sexist' was one of the kinder comments, while one of the more rational comments said - "We are professionals. As long as we behave in a professional way, then we should all have to do the same job."
I naturally asked 'does this mean we're nurses first, and men/women second?' and they didn't give a concise answer.
Am I the only male who thinks that it is harder for a female patient as well as for a male nurse to do such an intimate procedure?
Am I the only nurse who thinks that gender does matter? What harm does it cause if I choose not to do a procedure when there are capable people around who could do it just as well, plus make it easier for the patient. As a male nurse, I need a female chaperone if doing such a procedure on a woman anyway, so why not make it easier for everyone and simply keep the male out of it altogether?
But what does being a "Professional" mean? From what I'm hearing from others it sounds like I am a sexless machine capable of doing it all because that is what I am paid to do. Instead I think of myself as a caring carer. I have my faults and biases. I make mistakes and I sometimes let my feelings help make my decisions. But I have a big heart and I do the job because I care first. I enjoy making people laugh when they're sick. I enjoy being able to make a difference in people's lives. I also do the job recognizing my faults, and if I ever think that my views/faults may jeopardize a patient, I know to get someone else to take over that patient's care. I guess I'm not a very successful Sexless Professional. But I can live with being called sexist and unprofessional, just because I sometimes refuse to do female catheterization. I'm sure there's a lot worse things I could be.
A couple of extra points to mention:
For the record, the female staff used to ask me to catheterize the men, and they'd do the same for my female patients, and we never had a problem.
Also it's strange, but apparently I'm allowed to catheterize little old ladies, but not young women. Sounds a bit ageist to me. Do the feelings of older people not matter as much as those of young people? Naturally I'd never contemplate such a procedure on a young woman.
What I was saying was that there seems to be a nonchalant attitude here about this issue. That women don't mind men around them in that way because 'its all professional'. Again, I understand if there is no other option, but if I have my options open, I will choose a female nurse to help me with my personals.
And no, I never could understand why women want a male gynecologist; it does not make sense. Not that there is anything weird going on......but I would not choose it or recommend that plan of action. And yes, fifty years ago, midwifery was also very common. That is actually a field I am very interested in. It's all based on need......there were not an abundance of women doctors then, so by all means a woman should get help no matter what.
What I was saying about femininity.....women are a lot more open with their bodies in the name of science than they used to be. That's all.
Umm, not to derail, but you might want to check your facts. Fifty years ago most women gave birth almost exclusively with male physicians, knocked out, flat on their backs in the lithotomy position. Women then experienced unbelievable trauma in childbirth, and often still do. Midwifery is experiencing a regeneration (luckily for me!) but in the 1960s it was almost an extinct career in the U.S. Imagine who helped bring it back...those crazy, immodest, immoral feminists!
What I was saying was that there seems to be a nonchalant attitude here about this issue. That women don't mind men around them in that way because 'its all professional'. Again, I understand if there is no other option, but if I have my options open, I will choose a female nurse to help me with my personals.
And no, I never could understand why women want a male gynecologist; it does not make sense. Not that there is anything weird going on......but I would not choose it or recommend that plan of action. And yes, fifty years ago, midwifery was also very common. That is actually a field I am very interested in. It's all based on need......there were not an abundance of women doctors then, so by all means a woman should get help no matter what.
What I was saying about femininity.....women are a lot more open with their bodies in the name of science than they used to be. That's all.
What is not feminine about women being open with their bodies in the name of science, or anything else for that matter?
Umm, not to derail, but you might want to check your facts. Fifty years ago most women gave birth almost exclusively with male physicians, knocked out, flat on their backs in the lithotomy position. Women then experienced unbelievable trauma in childbirth, and often still do. Midwifery is experiencing a regeneration (luckily for me!) but in the 1960s it was almost an extinct career in the U.S. Imagine who helped bring it back...those crazy, immodest, immoral feminists!
Simple answer is you as a male absolutely need another person with you for the procedure with a female and not because of lots of reasons women nurses on here have stated. Those same females would not want a male nurse doing their urinary cath in the ER. It's a fact. I work it and I know. Many states have requirements on examining those "areas" and patients lie. "He touched me or he raped me" without a witness on your end leaves doubt. Professional to me is protecting each other and whether boy or girl as patient or nurse, double up and have someone with you like a doctor does for the exam. Anything less leaves our profession open for the lying patient statements leaving doubt.
And no, I never could understand why women want a male gynecologist; it does not make sense. Not that there is anything weird going on......but I would not choose it or recommend that plan of action.
What do you mean "it doesn't make sense"? Of course it makes sense. Women go to the doctors who have the knowledge base necessary, in whom they have confidence, with whom they feel comfortable. There are many wonderful OB-GYNs who are male as well as female.
I chose my male gyn over 20 years ago because he was a young doc specializing in something which was relevant to me. He is incredibly professional, is famous in his specialty, and has a great sense of humor. He understands women and that's why he is highly in demand, and his patients are not "masculinized," angry, immodest feminists. They are all quite feminine, thank you very much, and vary in age from very young women to seniors. There are some female docs in his practice as well for those who prefer those particular docs. That entire practice stays very busy for a reason.
So you'd be fine with a man doing that with your 18yr old daughter? Maybe you are fine with it, but is your daughter?
Why are you sexualizing medical procedures? This is not a sexual thing, it is a medical thing. Don't attach shame or "doing that" to the process. It does a disservice to nurses.
Well, until working with some american nurses, all I ever knew was that you had a chaperone if doing certain procedures on a female - so for practical purposes, I'd sort the male patients out, and the women would sort out my female patients for such procedures.
What I find concerning is this attitude that a nurse has to do it all, that our likes and dislikes don't matter, that fellow nurses would not think me a real nurse because of one procedure I don't do.
Thanks for all your support guys. Nice one.
Americans are not all oversexualized. Especially in the work arena. There are laws against that.
As for procedures, we all do what we have to do to the patient's benefit. And no, our likes and dislikes do not matter. As many of us are reminded, there are 50 more nurses who would like a job, therefore, you need to do what you are supposed to do, or find other employment. There's someone eager to take your place.
I do not like to take sputum cultures. However, it is part of my job. Therefore, when it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Now if I went on and on about how mouths are dirty and I am morally objected to it....the creepy level just went up a notch or 2, no?
And do not get passive aggressive "nice one" on simple truths. If one is a bedside nurse, then personal care, toileting, showering, and yes procedures such as cath insertion and cath care are part of the job. And no, not every floor has CNA's that do "that work".
It has nothing to do with if you are a "real nurse" or not, it has to do with the expectations of any number of facilities.
LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM
1,656 Posts
Umm, not to derail, but you might want to check your facts. Fifty years ago most women gave birth almost exclusively with male physicians, knocked out, flat on their backs in the lithotomy position. Women then experienced unbelievable trauma in childbirth, and often still do. Midwifery is experiencing a regeneration (luckily for me!) but in the 1960s it was almost an extinct career in the U.S. Imagine who helped bring it back...those crazy, immodest, immoral feminists!