Last night on our med/surg unit, we had an elderly woman who was in wiht consitpation. Very stable patient, vitals within normal limits, fairly negative past medical history, no home meds, independent with ADLs...again, a very stable patient. No BM for 8 days...came in to ER via private vehicle with complaints of abdominal pain.
We are a small rural hospital, average patient census of 10. Last night we had nine patients. This woman decided that she did not want any LPNs or CNAs in her room. OK...we try to accomodate such requests, but on nights like this, we have one RN on med/surg and one in ER. ER was pretty busy, so the ER nurse did not have time to come to the floor to help. Other than the charge RN, we had two LPNs and one CNA...staffing well above what we normally have. Certainly, the RN had time to care for this patient, but this woman didn't even want the CNA or one of the LPNs to do the simple things like taking her vital signs, refilling her water pitcher, or emptying her commode. So...the RN not only was charge over 9 patients, but had to do all cares for this patient, simply because she did not want anyone but an RN.
I agree 100% that there should be an RN available for all patients, but not all patients require an RN as their primary nurse. In a small rural area like this one, sometimes you have to take an LPN, especially if you are stable and have a predictable outcome. Had we been busier or had an unstable patient, would we have been out of line to explain to this patient that there was an RN available if anything unexpected happened, but that due to staffing reasons, her assigned nurse would be an LPN? This happens every now and then and usually we are able to accomodate the requests of RNs only, but what about when we just can't do it?
I looked after a male 16 year old the other night who needed to be catheterised. This poor fellow was nearly dying of embarassment, I asked him that if a male nurse was available would he prefer that. I think he nearly cried with relief. This made the procedure easier for him, probably easier for my work mate (as pt. was less tense), and I did some of my colleagues work whilst he was helping me. Win/win all around.
I looked after a male 16 year old the other night who needed to be catheterised. This poor fellow was nearly dying of embarassment, I asked him that if a male nurse was available would he prefer that. I think he nearly cried with relief. This made the procedure easier for him, probably easier for my work mate (as pt. was less tense), and I did some of my colleagues work whilst he was helping me. Win/win all around.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
It was ONLY a comparison!!!!
Why are you making a big deal with this?
Let it go!
A big deal? Perhaps two posts is how you define a big deal. Things need to be considerably more dramatic before I feel like they are even a small deal, but we all interpret things differently. Small point in discussing those issues on which we all agree. I expressed puzzlement at a comparison that makes no sense to me. Getting patients to feel more comfortable with the integration of the sexes in nursing= cavorting on nude beaches? I must have missed that day in Logic class. And I'm one of the people who expressed a reluctance to push patients past their comfort level when it comes to care provided by the opposite gender!
OK, we all have preferences. No one, except some folks with a royalty complex, feels comfortable being exposed or having a stranger perform "intimate" hygiene/procedures. We all learned to provide care with as much regard to dignity as possible. The issue of male/female and race preferences needs to be addressed on an individual basis, BUT addressed and honored are not the same.If a patient has a true fear of possible assault by caregivers, then a family member needs to be present to assist her/him.
We could of couse start a whole new thread on how helpful these family members are--not!
I still do not want a male MD that I do not have established trust relationship with doing a gyn exam on me.
Besides, if you do not trust them, the muscles tighten up and it makes the procedure much more difficult on the practitioner and the patient, most male MDs would probably want you to have a practitioner that you trust.
There is difference between being comfortable with nudity that you are "in control" of, and being comfortable with an invasive procedure.
It does not have to do with nudity....it has to do with trust.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
OK, we all have preferences. No one, except some folks with a royalty complex, feels comfortable being exposed or having a stranger perform "intimate" hygiene/procedures. We all learned to provide care with as much regard to dignity as possible. The issue of male/female and race preferences needs to be addressed on an individual basis, BUT addressed and honored are not the same.If a patient has a true fear of possible assault by caregivers, then a family member needs to be present to assist her/him.
We could of couse start a whole new thread on how helpful these family members are--not!
I agree. And how is it, we automatically 'trust" same-gender care providers? I don't get this either. Trust and repoire are BUILT, not automatic. And I DO believe we can set each other up to succeed or fail in that area with our patients. It's all in attitude and how we present ourselves and colleagues to our patients.
I don't think the little old lady in the OP should have the choice here. NOT based on the scenario. The RN is overseeing the care of ALL of these patients if she is the ONLY one on the unit. ONE patient cannot be allowed to monopolize all her time like that. It really comes down to that. And letting her have her way out of some fear of a frivolous lawsuit possibility sets the unit up for trouble and a precendent others will try and do the same thing. If she wants an RN-only on her case, the suggestions others made before me are reasonable. We can help her:
1. hire a private duty RN for her care.
2. seek care at another unit or facility where an RN can be assigned specifically to her care.
It really is as simple as that. And I can't understand why we get so worked up about gender in 2005. Most of here arguing this were born after 1946 (the year mentioned by one poster here). Why are we SO hung up STILL? And is it possible, we can be passing these attitudes (not meaning to necessarily) to our patients? Something to consider. We should also consider ourselves lucky to be in a country where the choice is even able to be discussed.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Well, Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry.
My sincere apologies that I have offended anyone.
I thought everyone here were adult enough to see that it was only a comparison.
I am thru with this beating this dead horse.
And no, no one asked you. :rotfl:
I am NOT offended. I just don't understand what the concept of visiting nude beaches has to do with medical care intimacy issues. Being nude at a beach is NOT intimate contact. It's really got nothing to do w/the conversation, is all. Anyhow have a good day, no hard feeling here! :)
I sincerely do not mean to offend anyone. But you asked, and I have often wondered myself.
A lot of guys get into the braggadacio thing and swagger and leer, but it's really only for show; I can see that they would love to just be honest at some point without fear of their manhood being questioned.
If I offended anyone, I'm truly sorry. I just feel that it's kinda not fair to the guys. After all, I have known some guys who were abused by women, too. Granted--in the minority, but still.
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LPN1974, LPN
879 Posts
Well, Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry.
My sincere apologies that I have offended anyone.
I thought everyone here were adult enough to see that it was only a comparison.
I am thru with this beating this dead horse.
And no, no one asked you. :rotfl: