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.
Your comment is a perfect example of why a chaperone is used in the hospitals I've worked in. 'Intimate' means one thing to you, and maybe something different to your patient. I have a strange suspicion that it would be easier for a patient to misconstrue/misinterpret something when a man is near their privates, than a woman. I guess the hospital felt that way as well.
"Intimate" means a lot of things. I often describe the care I give as "intimate" when people ask what I do. Changing dressings is intimate; helping someone in a hospital gown walk to the bathroom as they cling to you is intimate. "You have to be able to care for people intimately," I tell those who wonder if they could do what we do. Giving someone a catheter is very intimate. Intimate doesn't mean "sexy".
"Intimate" means a lot of things. I often describe the care I give as "intimate" when people ask what I do. Changing dressings is intimate; helping someone in a hospital gown walk to the bathroom as they cling to you is intimate. "You have to be able to care for people intimately," I tell those who wonder if they could do what we do. Giving someone a catheter is very intimate. Intimate doesn't mean "sexy".
I never said it meant sexy. I said it conveys closeness. And I still maintain my work is not intimate. Caring, yes, not intimate.
I think some of the posters are being a little hard on the OP. I think his questions are reasonable and thought provoking. I didn't get from him any sense that he was some kind of "perv". I appreciate that he is considering the patient's feelings. And he is right, some patients may be too afraid to voice that they'd rather have a female doing the procedure.
There are nursing jobs in which you don't have to deal with genitals at all. If you are uncomfortable with dealing with certain body parts, you definitely should avoid most bedside nursing. You have a choice. However, if you want to stay in your position, you will need to do those tasks no matter how unpleasant you feel about them. You may have your own cultural believe, you may have a very good intention to protect your female patients, but you are not being professional as a nurse. We all value individuality in this country, but I can't hire a nurse if he/she refuses to provide care to certain population.
Wow. This guy is NOT saying he doesn't want to do his job. He is saying he RESPECTS a females preference, where it exists, to be treated intimately by another female. I'm so disappointed in these responses. As a male nurse, I can tell you walking into a room with a minor admitted for lady partsl bleeding and a half-dozen family members staring daggers is awfully insightful. I will do ANYTHING to care for my patients. And I do. But you need to recognize that a lot of people don't want me to. Because of my gender. It has nothing to do with my comfort- it is entirely to do with theirs.
If a male nurse asked to be chaperoned every time he did a procedure on a female patient were I worked he would have a huge problem. There is no such policy where I work.The male nurses are professionals and gender doesn't matter. i think he OP has a serious issue.
Wow. This guy is NOT saying he doesn't want to do his job. He is saying he RESPECTS a females preference, where it exists, to be treated intimately by another female. I'm so disappointed in these responses. As a male nurse, I can tell you walking into a room with a minor admitted for lady partsl bleeding and a half-dozen family members staring daggers is awfully insightful. I will do ANYTHING to care for my patients. And I do. But you need to recognize that a lot of people don't want me to. Because of my gender. It has nothing to do with my comfort- it is entirely to do with theirs.
nursingaround1
247 Posts
Your comment is a perfect example of why a chaperone is used in the hospitals I've worked in. 'Intimate' means one thing to you, and maybe something different to your patient. I have a strange suspicion that it would be easier for a patient to misconstrue/misinterpret something when a man is near their privates, than a woman. I guess the hospital felt that way as well.