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.
This isn't a knock at the UK and other points east of here, I'm just surprised to hear that nurses don't listen to hearts/lungs. Clearly it's working and Europeans have pretty good health outcomes as compared with ours (not opening that can of worms ANY further)....I just can't fathom being a nurse and not using my stethoscope!
Scope of practice variation and all that. Vive la difference!
Love the wandering around comment. I'm a nurse in the USA and that's the only reference I can comment upon. If I had a nickel for every heart/lung sound I listened to, I could have retired early (ICU-CCU-ER nursing). As for males catheterizing females, I say cowboy up! You're a nurse first, then a male. I've catheterized more men than I can remember. If a patient refuses a particular sex then get the one they want. Otherwise be a nurse and do your job.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I read a recent article talking about how physicians don't need to use a stethoscope at all anymore because of technology.
Still, I'd be the last one to give up my stethoscope.
Yes, because we all know that technology is infallible instead of just a tool to be used. Those are the kinds of articles I rank up there with the Men in Black's news sources/hot sheets (and yes, I do realize how I've dated myself with that reference).
I'll take a non-invasive, non-radiating exam with a stethoscope before I'll consent to something like a CT scan (radiation, IV contrast, and that feeling like I'm wetting myself? no thanks unless it's necessary!). So, if my primary care provider gives up the stethoscope in favor of technology, I'll find me a new provider!
Just last week, I had a woman in the ICU ask for a female to help her to the bedside commode (and back off the commode). I told her that was fine, but that she would have to wait for me to find a female. She said, "it's nothing personal", and I didn't take it personally. If you peed the bed waiting for a female to come help you, then so be it. If this makes you more comfortable as a patient, that's fine, but I will always try to do my job, regardless of the gender of the patient. Besides, apparently nowadays, presence of certain anatomy no longer means people identify as a certain gender. If your bladder is full, and you cannot urinate, I will cath you, regardless of the plumbing.
Taking the genders comfort level into consideration is admirable. Knowing your capabilities/comfort level is good too. But in all honesty, there are male nurses who may have the compassion and capability to make a female even more comfortable than some female nurses. It is the Nurse you are not the gender that matters. Just my opinion.
Nursingaround, I agree, we need to acknowledge the limits and weaknesses of our coworkers, and work together to strengthen one another.
If you were my workmate, I would help you do your catheters if you would help me lift my heavies!
It's called teamwork. Be honest, if the OP was a big strapping guy, you wouldn't hesitate to ask him to help you lift. Doing catheters is HIS heavy lifting, regardless of his reasons.
When I started as a new grad in 87 on a med-surg floor-No RNS were allowed to catheterize men-their rationale was we could damage a gentlemen's prostrate-Personally I think something must have happened & it was a CYA hospital policy...I agree that if you are required to-do it. I wouldn't feel offended if you asked me to chaperone you in the room or show you how to do it. I am sure you can find another nurse who feels the way I do regarding this-also it might make the female patient feel better also-especially if they bring it up to you right? It might also make you feel better asking the female patient do you mind me doing this procedure to you-Guarantee you will get more no's than yes-sincerely. JMO.
So why, as a young female nurse, am I expected to do cath urines and STD swabs on males my age? My male counterparts would NEVER do the same as they work in a female oriented profession. My male coworkers will seek me out when I am absolutely SLAMMED, and request I do an in and out cath on their 80 year old pt. Yet it's totally ok for me to hold the member of a man two years older than me and shove swabs down it. Do you get it now?
I can not believe that an HR department would be so much in a rush of giving jobs out that they would not have seen that you were a male nurse. Sure a name can be confusing but I can not imagine that they would have seen your resume and profile and not notice that you were a guy. So strange. Also why take the job if you are so uncomfortable working with women. You should not be taking on a nursing job that you are not willing to or are uncomfortable doing and expect your female co workers to take on the slack
My husbands first name is Kelly. He surprises at every interview still. Resumes are typically gender neutral...
Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP
4 Articles; 5,259 Posts
This isn't a knock at the UK and other points east of here, I'm just surprised to hear that nurses don't listen to hearts/lungs. Clearly it's working and Europeans have pretty good health outcomes as compared with ours
(not opening that can of worms ANY further)....I just can't fathom being a nurse and not using my stethoscope!
Scope of practice variation and all that. Vive la difference!