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.
No. Like I said before, it is their choice. My ex-best friend hates nursing & would go on rants about it. Who am I to do the same about some one & their career choice? I don't know them or why they chose it. If they are happy with their life then let them be.
Nothing, ever, in the world is ever objectively evil? I'm going to give you a list of things that were legal, and that you claim are not objectively evil but just a matter of different people having different morals:
Religious executions carried out by the Crown in England
The Holocaust
Pakistani girls being shot for going to school
Slavery in the United States
Spousal rape
Torture under various governments throughout history
Any number of massacres committed in Communist and Islamic theocratic countries
Disallowing black people from voting or owning property
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
@Farawyn - No, it's not as simple as yes/no because we all have different morals.
@Red - Yes they were legal but they aren't any more. Just like marjiuana. It's legal in some states when it wasn't before. But you were the one who started the moral debate. I don't know what people do in their private lives or how they make a living. If it is legal, go for it. No one is perfect. But apparently you are because you can judge people so harshly.
@Farawyn - No, it's not as simple as yes/no because we all have different morals.
We do have different morals. Red did not ask about what our morals were, she just asked about legality. Both her questions are clearly yes or no questions.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
We do have different morals. Red did not ask about what our morals were, she just asked about legality. Both her questions are clearly yes or no questions.
No, she asked about legality & morals. So in that, it is NOT a simple yes/no answer.
And I quote "Can things be immoral while they're still legal? Or does legality automatically equal moral acceptability?"
So since she is asking about immorality & morality, to *me* it is more complex then "oh sure, yeah!" or "oh heeeeellll no!".
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
So OC, you maintain that nothing on the list I gave you is objectively evil? Because it was legal, it's impossible for it to be immoral?
But the government intervened, did it not? Unless the government intervenes & say "the Media industry is evil, it must end!" Just avoid it!
I don't know, I just can't wrap my head around how you equate spousal rape & the rest to the Media industry. I'm just at a loss. Those are two completely different categories.
But the government intervened, did it not? Unless the government intervenes & say "the Media industry is evil, it must end!" Just avoid it!
Most of those were examples of direct government action!
You allow human governments to determine the morality of actions? Have you ever studied history AT ALL?
I just can't get over this. Slavery and the holocaust....even those you can't call objectively evil. Slavery and the MF holocaust. Not evil, according to you. I just, I can't......
So sad that this was such a terrible experience for you. But, was it a terrible experience as a nurse, or as a man? I am not sure that this opportunity allowed you to distinguish the two. I think you were hired as a nurse by someone who was looking for a nurse, but unfortunately were discriminated against because you were a male. It is not clear who was uncomfortable with this, you, your co workers, or the patient, or all of you. I truly wish you luck, but feel that, although some patients see you as a male, most simply see you as a nurse.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Most of those were examples of direct government action!
You allow human governments to determine the morality of actions? Have you ever studied history AT ALL?
I just can't get over this. Slavery and the holocaust....even those you can't call objectively evil. Slavery and the MF holocaust. Not evil, according to you. I just, I can't......
Go watch some Media & relax. Cause I'm done, this is ridiculous. Lol. It was ridiculous to begin with & got even more ridiculous when you brought up all those examples.
tonet0908
124 Posts
It's getting hot in here!