Is it sexist....

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

So, we all know that Nursing is a female dominated field, but male nurses are in high demand. Likewise, physically speaking, men are typically stronger than their female counterparts. Would any of you, as male nurses, be offended if a female nurse or a supervisor asked you do the majority of the "heavy lifting" in the job, even though there are some female nurses who could *probably* perform the tasks as well?

[ukstudent]

As a female, yes, that is sexist. It often happens but shouldn't.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I don't want to do all the fatty lifting. Strive for equality right! They make hoists and such for that.

[CCL RN, RN]

I do all my own lifting-don't need a man for that...

[systoly]

I wouldn't be offended or call it sexist. It's just not right. Suppose there were only males, but one guy was stronger and bigger than all the rest. Would it be right to make him do all the heavy lifting? Besides, I don't mind helping with transfers or lifts, but if I'm helping you with your patient, you better be there right with me, no matter who you are.

[themurseman]

I would think it sexist if the male is expected to do so. There is nothing wrong with asking. In fact, I tell people I work with to ask me for help whenever they need it. I would never hesitate to ask them for help. I guess I was just raised that way. I don't have a problem lifting patients, and I am not prone to injury. People are not equals. Some people are better at some things than others. I am not particularly fond of anchoring catheters. People don't hesitate to help me out. No biggie.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I'll do all your lifting if you'll do all the bed baths and ESPECIALLY genital washings on my patients.

[exit96]

I get called for Fatty Lifting...matter of fact the Nursing Supervisor calls around to get all the guys together....THIS is not what I would consider "customary helping" THIS is what I would call sexist behavior. My back means just as much to me as any females back does to her. I help out all the time and don't think twice about it, there is a line between the 2 situations.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I get called for Fatty Lifting...matter of fact the Nursing Supervisor calls around to get all the guys together....THIS is not what I would consider "customary helping" THIS is what I would call sexist behavior. My back means just as much to me as any females back does to her. I help out all the time and don't think twice about it, there is a line between the 2 situations.

Go to personnel about it.

[TheLastTime]

Instead of whining about sexism, I believe in the team concept of "to each according to their own abilities". I use my strength as a bartering chip. I lift the heavy freight and kill the spiders in exchange for female coworkers handling and/or witnessing genetically sensitive tasks on my female patients.

The women save their backs; I save my license and my reputation from a frivolous lawsuit by a shady patient hoping to hit the litigation lottery. Everyone wins!

[Bhebe55]

Is it sexist? Yes it is. Look at it this was only roughly 5% of the nursing population is male. So 95% of the time as a population the job should be being done nationally by a woman. what Im saying is the job gets done most of the time by women so yall are capable. Just cause a guy is there dosent mean you automatically get to pawn all the heavy lifitng onto our backs. Women usually have better handwriting would you mind doing all my charting since your better at it? OK back to reality. As long as your asking for "help" and not for me to do it while you sit in the break room no I wouldnt't mind. As long as when I need help for sobvious reasons you equally will "assist" me not do it for me.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I think my handwriting is better than most women's. It's not large, it's not bubbly, the i's aren't dotted with hearts, and it's most importantly not cursive.

That said, I'd again love to lift ALL of your patients if you wash the genitals on my patients and tend to their other matters of butts and privates.