male nurses in OB

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

Thank you, Leslie. :icon_hug:

I've read your posts for a long time and I hope you know that nurses like you are the kind patients remember forever, with a gratitude that ...words cannot describe.

I've been blessed to have my share, and I remember each one with deep fondness. Especially those of you who got me through most of my labors! Y'all are the best. :)

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OK, since I've already put 2 cents in... I'll risk adding one more.

The emotionally-charged word "prejudice", and comparisons to race in this context is a shallow tactic typical of online debate.

If it's prejudice that makes me want separate male/female public bathrooms, call me prejudiced. But please don't insult our intelligences by attempting to use pedantic word-games to stigmatize me as no better than a racial bigot because of it.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

In some cases, it's a valid example.

Is it kosher for a woman to work on a urology floor?

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First, I have adored many male nurses. My hero is one. I also think it is fine to hire them for OB/gyn, as long as you make sure there are enough female nurses to give a pt a choice.

And, the choice must be offered sensitively and respectfully.

I feel so strongly about this because, for reasons I could not go into with strangers, I'm now struggling with the consequences of others presuming that gender shouldn't be an issue in even such intimate procedures.

I was too concened about his feelings to defend my own. I also feared the sort of judgments and assumptions I see too often here by female nurses. Who wants to annoy those who will be taking care of you at your most vulnerable?

Anyway, I sucked it up, smiled and acted all friendly through it, and no one was ever the wiser. But it's still difficult to stop my heart from screaming when I'm reminded of it, partly because it was so very unecessary.

Even if one hasn't had a traumatic prior experience, there are other valid reasons to avoid one today. If there has indeed been a past trauma, know that the worse it is, the more painful it is to admit. So don't seek an explanation, or make her feel she should give one.

Why not simply add another item to the consent forms? Where they ask about observing students, sales reps, or cameras in the room, have another check box asking if he/she is comfortable with members [strangers] of the opposite sex observing or practicing intimate procedures on him/her.

And if we say or check "no", then I beg you all... rather than presume us to be dense, childish, unenlightened, or a gender bigot, think about how ashamed you might be if you knew half enough to truly pass such judgments.

Patients should be able to refuse any nurse for any reason without explaining it. Some may want to explain it. For example some Islamic women may not even want males from the lab, dietary, etc. in their room. It is good if they make that clear. A patient just may feel uncomfortable with a certain nurse because they remind him/her of someone that has hurt them in the past,etc. Pts. should not have to give a reason why they don't want a certain caregiver.It is horrible that someone took advantage of you. Truly it is sick. I feel awful for you. I am referring to hiring practices, not pt. preference. Pts. should always have the right to defer, except in a dire emergency and within reason.

A few months ago, we had an Islamic lady present to the hospital with contractions. She would not accept a vag exam from a male doctor. The doctors who attended to her were in a group of two males and two females. The patient gave the nurse the idea that only females would be allowed to care for her. The doctor was irrate when he thought his partners had promised this. There are times, like on the weekend that only a male would be available. He spoke to her husband and then her and got the real story. She didn't want vag exams or peri care , etc. from a male. She was to be a repeat c.section and would allow a male to do her section, though her preference was for a female. It turns out that this had been discussed with her in the office. She was aware she might get a male and had agreed to the circumstances when that would occur.

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.
Wanting (or not wanting) a caregiver of a certain sex over another is preference yet wanting (or not wanting) a caregiver of a specific race is prejudice?

I beg to differ, BOTH are prejudice.

I AM prejudice and if that hurts your feelings I DON'T CARE. If a male nurse can't understand that women might be reluctant to put themselves in a vulnerable position due to a past trauma/abuse than maybe working in a field with women patients isn't for them. I know it's not fair or right but its also not fair or right that women are abused by men. I may be prejudice but it was a man who made me that way.

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again, please to not attack one another. each is entitled to their own opinion and should not try to push it over on someone else.

we each have our own religions, as well.

because you require or want something, do not expect everyone else to want it.

that is what makes our world as it is.

please keep this debate friendly.

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I AM prejudice and if that hurts your feelings I DON'T CARE. If a male nurse can't understand that women might be reluctant to put themselves in a vulnerable position due to a past trauma/abuse than maybe working in a field with women patients isn't for them. I know it's not fair or right but its also not fair or right that women are abused by men. I may be prejudice but it was a man who made me that way.

Women are also abused by women. Please do not forget that.

And don't label all men as abusers because of an issue that you had. That just is not fair or warranted.

There are good and bad in every group of people. Period.

And the saddest part is, in all of my nursing career, which is longer than some of you have been on this earth, I have never, ever once heard a complaint about a male nurse from a patient in labor, but I have heard plenty of complaints about females. So please again, do not be too quick to judge. You have your right to decide who you want, but others can have their wishes respected as well.

For me, it doens't matter what the procedure is, as long as the provider is competent and caring. That means much more to me.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.
And it definitely does not bother me who is at the cash register when I am purchasing female products.

That's great that is doesn't bother you. For me, I live in a town population of under 3000. Last time I purchased a pregnancy test, I got several calls later from friends that heard I was seen purchasing the test. I really don't want my neighbors & friends knowing if I've got a raging yeast infection or irritated roids.

What happens if you go into the pharmacy and there is only a male pharmacist there and a male checker, do you leave? Do you think that they really care what you are purchasing?

We only have female pharmacists and techs at my pharmacy. My husband has a rx for Viagra, we go out of town to get these filled because it's our business and we don't need everyone knowing. They might not care what we are purchasing, but it certainly could make good gossip. Even under Hippa violations.

Same thing for a guy purchasing condoms, does it make a difference who is at the cash register? When you know the guy, his family & friends, it sure does!

And what about men that go for their annual exams? It includes a prostate check. That is just as personal as a pelvic exam. Don't they get a choice as to who is caring for them?

Yes, My husband has a choice and choses a male doctor and refuses the female nurse. I think it could be different if he weren't already on a first name basis with his healthcare providers.

I go out of town for my pelvic because I want a female Dr. and nurse.

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I AM prejudice and if that hurts your feelings I DON'T CARE. If a male nurse can't understand that women might be reluctant to put themselves in a vulnerable position due to a past trauma/abuse than maybe working in a field with women patients isn't for them. I know it's not fair or right but its also not fair or right that women are abused by men. I may be prejudice but it was a man who made me that way.

Sorry for your past problems. I hope that one day you find some peace.

Like many have stated, there's not a problem with a patient stating a preference for one person or another. In every other instance, it is expected that the patient will make their wishes known. It's not a case of understanding why a woman might want to avoid men. It's a case of creating a limitation as a SOP because someone might have a problem. And, it may hint at some general attitudes. Why?

In my very short time as a student nurse, I've personally encountered...

... community health class durinig a discussion on domestic violence. Statistic is given for the number of men that are abused by women...a small group of women in the class actually laughed out loud...on two separate occasions...

... interview with a hospital recruiter for a fellowship, I asked about L&D. After a brief explanation about why this wasn't available (valid reasons, all) the recruiter added, "besides, it's better that your first preference is for the OR since men are less nurturing than women"...

... during my OB rotation on the postpartum floor, I had a new mom who was frustrated regarding problems encountered breastfeeding. I was forced to admit that I didn't have the answers and that I'd find someone who would. After the questions were answered and mom was happy, I went to the lactation consultant and asked if I could sit in on one of the general classes and perhaps even shadow for a few hours. After a half-dozen excuses as to why this might be an issue, she admitted that it hadn't been asked before. She left it at "I'll see what the schedule can accommodate and speak to your clinical coordinator." A week or two later, the rotation ended and I never received the requested training. However, for the ladies following in the next rotation, ta-da! Time has already been set aside for them to shadow the lactation consultant. (It's nice to know I facilitated training for those that followed, but...)

I don't see any of these as some egregious offense. My experiences have been almost universally great (especially in L&D) and to let these sorts of things get in the way of that would be self defeating. What I'm attempting to point out is that before we even get to the patient, there are some with preconceived ideas about what men "should do" in the field. I'd like to be able to offer all my patients a choice regarding who provides their care. But I can't do that if I can't get to a job where those options might be apropos. So, if you find yourself saying something like, "the reasons are self-evident", rest assured that the reason exceptions should be allowed for patient preference is well understood. I understand. Just like you understand that when those exceptions are used as an excuse for the creation of a rule based on gender, it can start to create a workplace situation that is unfair.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Closing this thread for a time out cool down.

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