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?

[OCNRN63, RN]

Maybe you should have worded it better, then.

What exactly did you mean instead? Just because I've got a female reproductive tract doesn't mean I have any idea what pregnancy, labour and delivery are like. You know who has a better idea of all that than me? Anyone who's completed a midwifery qualification. I also think a father of three might have some idea, too.

OMG, I worded something badly. Off with my head.

[Nccity2002, MSN, RN]

It's exciting, challenging, happy, sad, gratifying, scary, and miraculous all at the same time. I wonder why anyone wouldn't want to do it.

Thanks, Nick...answered like a true professional.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, 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....

I've had 5 kids and most of my docs were male except for the last baby, I saw some female docs. Working with the stereo type, you would think the female docs would have more empathy/ sympathy for what is going on etc...LOLOLOL...2 of them never had kids and one never had a period.

As a patient....I could care less what you are...male/ female/ alien...just as long as you are doing your job.

Someone mentioned had size/ cervical checks...LOLOL....some women have large hands etc...I felt like I was living that Seinfeld episode where one of his dates had "man hands" ....If that is a reason not to hire men in OB..that is isnsane

[sharkdiver]

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.

Absolutely correct. It's called a "BFOQ" and legally allows hiring based on gender if the employer can show that they meet the criteria. It's the same exception that allows, for example, a heath club to hire only females as the women's locker-room attendant and vice versa.....

Certainly a complaint could be lodged with the EEOC, but it's highly likely that it would never go anywhere. The facility could easiy provide enough documentation to support hiring only female nurses for L&D, as has been done numerous times in the past by other facilities.

My question would be "Why would you want to work in a unit where you're clearly not wanted?" Seems like a recipe for disaster to me......if you really want to work L&D, I'd look elsewhere.

[talaxandra]

OMG, I worded something badly. Off with my head.

Really? You're going to snark "Yeah, I knew someone would jump all over me for wording it that way. Thanks for living up to my expectations." and then be outraged that I suggest you be more clear next time?

Back to the thread - I don't see how this is different from other areas of care where patients request a specific gender of carer. If you're male and are more comfortable with a man catheterising you, we'll do our best to oblige but can't guarantee a male staff member will be available. When it comes to mid there will always be enough female practitioners - men comprise such a minority in nursing generally, and in L&D particularly - but as is clear from this thread there are also many women who care about other attributes of their health care providers than their gender that the OP can have a fulfilling career.

[talaxandra]

My question would be "Why would you want to work in a unit where you're clearly not wanted?" Seems like a recipe for disaster to me......if you really want to work L&D, I'd look elsewhere.

There may not be a choice of units where the OP works. And what if every L&D unit in his city, or even state, have reservations about male midwives? Should he relocate?

If nobody ever pushed at preconceptions we'd have no female fire fighters, police officers, servicewomen, doctors, engineers, mechanics...

[ITSSOSIMPLE]

Let's see, we have no male mammographers. Male nurses are essentially non-existentent

in L&D units. Women,particularly nurses on this site say they prefer female nurses.

Let's reverse the roles, are your male patients given choices. My urology experience

is just as sacred as your birthing experience.

[merlee]

As for wanting/preferring a female OBGYN - you may be limited by your insurance provider!

Although not as likely these days, years ago there may have been only men in the 'preferred provider group' as assigned by your insurance co. And no one questioned that there were male docs!!

We should all truly just want the best possible provider.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Really? You're going to snark "Yeah, I knew someone would jump all over me for wording it that way. Thanks for living up to my expectations." and then be outraged that I suggest you be more clear next time?

Back to the thread - I don't see how this is different from other areas of care where patients request a specific gender of carer. If you're male and are more comfortable with a man catheterising you, we'll do our best to oblige but can't guarantee a male staff member will be available. When it comes to mid there will always be enough female practitioners - men comprise such a minority in nursing generally, and in L&D particularly - but as is clear from this thread there are also many women who care about other attributes of their health care providers than their gender that the OP can have a fulfilling career.

I clarified my answer already. Since it seems you want to be argumentative, I am going to follow the advice of the moderators and put you on "ignore."

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

my peds instructor just told us about a male student from 2 years ago that was really nervous about ob clinical, thinking it would be horrible and none of the women would want him in the room.. he went into his pts room and asked if it was okay if he was her nurse, she said okay, but if she changed her mind later he had to leave. she was a young mom with nobody there with her and he helped her through the whole thing and at the end he said "thank you for not asking me to leave" she said "are you kidding, i couldnt have done this without you!"

the next week another patient came in requesting him! she said a friend of hers had just had a baby and told her about this great male nursing student and that she should get him if she had the chance! he did his preceptorship in OB, im not sure if he ever applied for an OB job or got it though... but i think women should give male ob nurses a chance.. if they are working in OB it means they chose that specialty and obviously have some kind of passion for it and will probably do a good job.. i wouldnt mind if my ob nurse was male.

[Poi Dog]

When I gave birth back in the stone ages, my nurse was a male. It was not a big deal. All I cared about was that my baby was healthy and alive. Oh, and for the pain to stop.

[Caffeine_IV]

I wouldn't care if my L&D nurse was male or female as long as they are competent and caring. When it got down to it with the pain and all, I didn't care who saw my nether regions.