male nurses in OB

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do you think that it is kosher for a male to work in OB?

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health, L&D, Nsy, PP.

I think it is just as kosher for a male nurse to work OB as it is for a male MD to work in OB. Just because a nurse is male doesn't mean he should limit himself as to the areas he wants to work anymore than it should limit a female in other work places. ;)

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I'm old-fashioined enough to think that male OB nurses need a chaperone, just as male MDs do during invasive exams, but since most OB pts are not alone when in labor, this shouldn't be an issue.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I had an male OB nurse when I had my first daughter and I didn't think nothing of it. There are TONS of male OB/GYN's around!

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Specializes in Graduating in 2009.

I agree, I don't know why it wouldn't be ok for a male to be an OB or GYN. Of course, if a patient isn't comfortable with a male dr or nurse, she should be able to request a female. As a female myself, I've never had a problem or thought anything was wrong or uncomfortable about a male doctor or nurse, though (I had a male GYN for several years and he was great).

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One of the best OB managers that I ever knew was a guy and this was over twenty years ago. As long as you are good at what you do, then gender should never, ever be an issue.

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Was in the labor/delivery room with a younger sister and her husband for the birth coupla years ago. Their nurse came in the room and was checking her etc. like usual L & D nurses do. When he left, we all looked at each other like, "What?" We were all surprised to have a male nurse for L & D. None of us liked it (at all). We were certainly not aware that we could refuse a male nurse otherwise my sister would have done so in a new york minute. We all just *tolerated* it and didn't say anything because we didn't know what to do, or who to complain to.

Lots of ladies DO NOT like male OB nurses, they are simply unaware that they can refuse them and insist upon a female L & D nurse.

Yeah, you'll get "oh you can do it" and "I had one and he was great" etc. etc. here, but let me tell you, most people are used to having L & D female nurses. Also, for the argument about most OB docs are males, well, I can tell you that most gals keep the same OB doc for years and years. That's a lot different than 12 hour shifts...or 8 hour shifts...

I can tell you personally, as a patient, I would not have a male nurse taking care of me if he had to deal with anything underneath a bikini swimsuit (that includes OB/GYN). I have good reasons for this, which I won't get into here and now.

Just search the archives, Newnurse33. This topic has been discussed quite a bit.

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health, L&D, Nsy, PP.

MD's go on vacation from time to time and usually still have patients deliver during that time - this leaves another MD to fill in. I have never seen a pt refuse to deliver and wait on her regular OB/gyn because she has seen him for years. I do believe that patients have the right to refuse a particular healthcare worker, but I think to generalize that males shouldn't be allowed to become OB nurses would be our loss.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

If the guy has the ****s and desire to work in this area, I'll bet he'd be really good at it.

This is not to say that all of the patients would feel comfortable with it, as might be the case for some men wishing there were more male nurses around for certain things as well.

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Specializes in OB.

I work with 3 male OB RN's and they are all great, I can count on one hand how many times one of them has been refused by a pt. (usually because of cultural, religous, or past sexual abuse) I wouldn't mind them taking care of me. One of our male RN's works triage 4 nights a week, so If you deliver at our hospital, chances are you will see him some time durring your pregnancy. Pt's will ask for him personally. If you want to do OB then go for it!

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

I don't mind men as nurses. I think that having all perspectives in your health care unit is a plus. Of course, patients should be able to refuse a nurse, whether the nurse is male or female. I know some of my male friends would refuse a male nurse because they're complete homophobes, but some, like my husband, would prefer either gender. It doesn't bother me a bit as long as they know what they're about.

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Specializes in Peds - playing with the kids.

it's ok by me:) . maybe because i am a nurse. in labor, i want help...and i don't care where it comes from!:bugeyes: :bugeyes:

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