Male nurse in L&D

[tony2353]

Hi, I am a male nurse married 3 kids. I have applied to a position on my facility on the Labor and delivery unit. And they pretty much told me they don't want to hire a male nurse. I don;t think they can do that I think is discrimination. what do you think? do you think ladies would stop coming to our hospital because they don't want a male ob nurse?

[NellieOlsen]

I had a male nurse while pregnant with my last baby. I was there for 6 days due to preterm labor and had him for a few shifts. He was the best, male or female, of the bunch. If I had the choice of a cranky female nurse or a helpful male nurse, I'll take the male nurse any day. He didn't even squirm when helping me use a bed pan.

It's all about being professional.

These conversations are interesting..

[talaxandra]

Male nurses in L&D, OB, GYN, whatever, is very rare at this time. You will meet opposition from patients because it is out of their norm.

Once upon a time female doctors were very rare and outside the norm, and patient opposition was used as a reason to prevent their practice.

My former NUM was a midwife in the eighties and early nineties, before he switched to nephrology (an unusual transition, I grant you) - he really enjoyed it, and based on his demeanour when I knew him I imagine he was a great widwife. If this is what you want pursue it. How ridiculous that we're over a decade into the twenty-first century and this is still an issue!

[NickB]

Being a male Nurse my instinct is to take your side against "the man" (ironic right?) But this isn't actually illegal. Employers can't discriminate based on sex if hiring a male OB nurse would only require "reasonable" accommodation. But if hiring a male OB nurse would require "undue hardship" then refusing to hire males is absolutely legal. Based on my experience of how often female patients refuse male RN students in OB, I think an employer could make the case that a male RN in OB would put the employer in a position of undue hardship. My hospital doesn't hire male RN's in OB, I don't think anybody has challenged it yet, but I doubt they would win.

It is frustrating that OB patients are fine with male Docs but not male Nurses, this is a well know double standard not just in OB, I'm not sure there is much to be done about it.

Dude, you're trying to compare students to nurses. Patients refuse students because they go into the room and act like idiots. This is male and female students and has nothing to do with being male. I know this, because I was never refused as a student and I see giggly female students get refused all of the time. A man would win this case in court because there are plenty of scenarios nation wide where males do just fine in the OB setting. I would be more than happy to back any male's case with the stack of compliments I have received from my patients. If your hospital doesn't hire males into OB, it's only because the unit manager is a twit.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

The hypocrisy of accepting a male MD and not accepting a male RN is so illogical and stupid, it makes be embarrassed to be female.

[Mommy&RN, BSN, RN]

As long as I get professional care, I don't care what the anatomy is of the nurse, tech, MD, EVS, maint, diatary person has.

I was admited on Monday at about noon, and did not deliver until Wednesday night at 10pm. There were several snotty attitudes. They were attempting to induce labor. I was allowed minimal PO, they didn't want to allow me to shower or OOB. Now, I know there was the possibility of an emergent section, but baby was tolerating fine.

I did end up having a section, but I was requesting a shower on Tuesday. I was NO WHERE near delivery at that point.

So, I don't care male or female, as long as you show interest in making me comfortable and having as "enjoyable" L&D as possible.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I feel ya. I am a male nursing student finishing up my last year. I also have 3 children. I have heard stories that the men in the L&D clinical rotation sometimes get told the women are uncomfortable with men RNs in the room (What!? Most of the OB Docs are men!!!) I was frustrated by this news and asked my Wife... who had a male OB if she would be uncomfortable with a male RN. She said she would prefer a female RN. I was shocked! Especially because her Doc was a male! I couldnt understand it- especially considering I was front and center for all 3 of my childrens births. I dont understand the concept of being uncomfortable with a male RN in L&R. Would like to hear from some of the women on this issue....

While it's true that many women go to male OBs for their pregnancy, keep in mind that most of them have already been going to that doc for a while and have a rapport with him. Sometimes, it's nice to have someone who can relate to what you're going through. The nurse spends a lot of time with the OB patient and it's important that the patient feels comfortable with the nurse.

While I think their policy could be viewed as discriminatory, I can understand why they might be hesitant to hire males.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

ok, yes they CANNOT do that legally.

But i'll tell you this much. Being a young woman, 23 years old. i would prefer to have a female as my nurse.

I know some people would not mind. I wouldn't mind if it were anything else. I've had male nurses when i had surgery a few years back. It didn't bother me one bit. I didn't mind telling them when i had my last BM, and i didn't mind when they had to help me into the bathroom (broken leg).

But when it comes to OB, and a nurse palpating my uterus, assessing my lochia, or even being in labor and delivery i would prefer a female.

It's NOTHING against male nurses, not in anyway. They are great, but it is my personal opinion. I think a male nurse could make a great labor and delivery nurse. But again, you asked for our opinion on that.

You are correct though, they cannot just not hire you because of this.

Do you prefer male OB docs too ? Just curious.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I don't think patients need to defend their choice of physicians.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

The idea that a woman would be a better nurse because she can relate. First of all, how does that apply to a woman who has no children. I have children, was in the delivery, and helped with everything. Secondly, a woman who has had children will compare your experience to hers. You may tell her you're in pain and she may think that it wasn't that painful for her. If you tell me you're in pain, I believe you because I never gave birth. Third, any woman can just be an obstetrics nurse. For a male to do it, he has to really really want to do it and that will show in his performance. That's not to say that there aren't women who really want to be obstetrics nurses. All I'm saying is if a guy is doing it, it isn't just because he thought it might be cool to try.

May I give you a thousand kudos, Nick? I'm serious, I could not have said this better myself!

And by the way, thank you thank you thank you for doing your job and loving it. Keep me away from L & D, postpartum, OB in any form!

[talaxandra]

Sometimes, it's nice to have someone who can relate to what you're going through.

Does this mean childless women and women whose children are adopted/fostered/step etc also shouldn't be midwives?

[OCNRN63, RN]

Does this mean childless women and women whose children are adopted/fostered/step etc also shouldn't be midwives?

Yeah, I knew someone would jump all over me for wording it that way. Thanks for living up to my expectations.

Many females feel more comfortable discussing female issues with other females.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Yeah- if I were having some sort of GYN surgery, I'd probably prefer a woman. For OB, as long as they could catch the kid if the doc was late, I wouldn't care. I can also see some young girls wanting a female- and with GYN (I realize we're talking OB, but they're often linked) an older patient not used to a male could be an issue.

I still would hope that the guy could be given a chance before dismissing him d/t gender....jmo :)