Male Nurses in Postpartum/Nursery

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HI Everyone,

I am a nurse manager in a small OB unit. There is this male med/ surg night nurse who I think would do well to be trained as a postpartum/nursery nurse. He said that he would like to learn more so that he could help out if we ever needed it.

My problem is dealing with the rest of the staff. Some of my nurses say NO WAY! I told them that it is discrimination. Please share some tips on how to deal with the attitudes...OR am I way off base here?:confused: :confused:

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Specializes in ER.

I don't see any reason why not. What are their reasons for not wanting him?

I suppose it would be easier for female patients to accuse him of sexual inappropriateness, but it seems like a poor reason to hold a good nurse back in his career.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

I agree with canoehead. I see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to work PP or newborn nursery. If your female patients object to having him as their nurse, their objections should be taken seriously, and assign them to a female nurse instead. If the female patients do not object, then there you be. ;)

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we had a gentleman where i worked several years ago in l/d. most of the pt's really liked him and in time the staff got used to him too. if you think he'd be an asset to your unit, go for it. you wouldn't not hire a person because she was black or latino, so why hold back on this person.

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Specializes in OB.

Of course if he is qualified/willing to learn you should give him a chance! Does anyone think he's been caring ONLY for male pts. in Med/Surg? The thought that only females should care for OB pts. is ignores the concept of gender equality that many women have been fighting for in and out of nursing for decades. If he is gutsy enough to want to work this area in spite of the attitudes I'm sure he is aware of, he may be a real asset to your unit.

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That is discrimination on the nurses part. Don't you have male pediatricians and OB's? We had a male nurse on our MCH unit for many years and the Mom's loved him, as did we. He even was a facilitator in childbirth ed for the Dad's. Boy-oh-boy, I wonder how your staff would deal with a lesbian couple who gave birth if they can't even deal with a male nurse doing mother/baby. Tell them it's 2002!!!!

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Isn't that a blip? I don't see it as a problem. That is pure discrimination. Women should learn from this it wasn't so long ago that a woman Md was not easy because of the same prejudices they are displaying! Tell them get over it! He shouldn't be denied his chance to go to an area he has an intrest in because they have issues!

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Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for the replies. I appreciate it. Wish me luck! I am looking forward to having this nurse in our unit. His attitude and skills will make him an asset in our department.

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My favorite nurse on OB that I worked with was a male...he was excellent , but there was a resistance to him from the other staff. This is THEIR problem and it is discrimination.

I also am a clinical instructor on OB and if I don't make it an "issue" that I have a male student, I find less resistance from the staff and patients. I personally don't think it ever should be an issue. Excellent patient care is what counts.

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