Male OB Frustration

[IKnowYouRider]

I'm currently in my OB rotation for clinicals and lecture. The first two days of clinical I was in L&D and I had an awesome experience (witnessed a couple deliveries, worked with the fetal monitor, started foleys/IVs). The apprehension and disinterest that preceded going into the semester started to fade and I was beginning to really enjoy the clincal experience.

That's why yesterday hit me by surprise. I was in the post-partum unit and the nurse I was assigned to was SO awkward about everything. She didn't want me to check the fundus (with or without her being in the room), she didn't feel I should be in the room while she gave an IM injection of Depo in the upper thigh (which I'm more than capable of doing), and she even excused me from the room when teaching the patient discharge instructions (like lochia color, amount, etc.).

This frustrates me even more knowing that I've been working as a nurse tech for 6 months now while in school and I give female clients baths, and insert caths almost every shift.

I understand that this was only one day, and the only thing that's been damaged is my pride and ego, but its hard not to feel embarassed/belittled by the situation.

If anything, this is just a rant like most posts on here and I'll be appreciative of even one comment! =-)

Peace,

Dave

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Hi GUYS!

I am an OB nursing professor....I have 6 male students in my class. They are required to do everything that their female counterparts do. They attend deliveries, do postpartum exam, and even put in catheters (gasp!). It is wrong to discriminate against male students in the OB area.....just as it is illegal to discriminate in hiring practices of males in the OB area. Did you all know that? It's sexual discrimination....and is illegal. You don't hear a lot about it because, first of all, most guys never apply to OB.....they are only too glad to get out of the area......and judging from most of these posts of your experiences, I can hardly blame you.

By the way, very FEW women complain. It is truly rare. When they do, I simply reassign the student (to a similar experience).

Thank you very much! It is good to hear this from instructors that they push everyone to be equal. :up:

[workingharder]

First ... I am a male nursing student posting in the male nursing student thread. Followed by posting in a category entitled "Male OB Frustration"...Does this sound like it's going to be a warm and fuzzy topic?

Second...If you wish to lecture someone on "Professionalism", I will gladly give you the name and number of my OB instructor and I am sure other males on here would do the same.

Third...Please show me exactly where I decided to throw being a patient advocate out the window. I was simply stating the fact of "samirish" trying to stereotype women was absurd. She could have easily found and cited some research topics off of pubmed or something.

Fourth... Since you wish to remind me what is learned in nursing school, let me reeducate you on never giving up your "Scope of Practice", whether to another medical discipline OR someone else in the Nursing profession.

Fifth...What, cause I am a Male I should be limited to positions of ICU, ER or patient lifter.

Sixth...Hopefully, one day when I am a older, wiser male nurse, I will still have the gusto to stick up for myself instead of coming off as a Gelding.

First- Samirish was voicing her view as a patient, not as a nurse. It is entirely possible to have a discussion about it without resorting to insults.

Second- "Well, so it appears you don't like Filipino nurses, overweight people, prisioners and male nurses". She never said any such thing. You were the first to bring these up and it is a red herring. "I am sorry that you think the earth is flat". That is belittling and uncalled for.

Third-You find "facts" where none exist. Samirish was not stereotyping women. The patient has the right to refuse treatment and to choose her provider.

Fourth-How is allowing a patient to choose her provider relinquishing your duties under the Scope of Practice?

Fifth- I never said that. If you want to be in L & D than go for it. Just realize that there will be times when the patient/ client won't want you there.

Sixth-The inference that I have been neutered was not lost on me. The quantity of testosterone running through my veins is still quite adequate. But, there is a difference between sticking up for yourself and imposing your opinions on patients, and this is what you are advocating.

See? We can have a civilized disagreement without resorting to innuendo or insults.

[LIG RN]

And who is my patient?????????

[Wanna_BA_Nurse]

That nurse seems a little immature and highly unprofessional. Jeez. Did you tell the DON? She can't treat you like that. It may not be a big deal to you, but that is technically harassment. I'm sorry. I can say that if I was a patient, I couldn't care less who did my OB stuff! Male or female - the nurses there have seen it all before no doubt, and I am not ashamed of my woman parts!!!

[Emilynn09]

I am only speaking for myself and for the women who prefer not to have male nurses in the OB. Im sorry this is so upsetting to you but it is my preference and there are other women out there that feel the same way.

I am not comfortable with a male practitioner; doctor, nurse, etc. performing intimate duties on me. I have always asked for a female when it came to scheduling a well woman exam, or any other kind of exam that involved my peri area or breasts. It's a personal preference for me and I'm not comfortable with a male practitioner in those situations. Although, I'm not sure that was the issue with the OPs situation. Perhaps the patient did ask the nurse to have him leave? It's not impossible, but it also could have been the nurse.

There's nothing wrong with a male nurse in OB. Many women are not uncomfortable by this, but some are. It can go the other way too. A male patient can request another male nurse to perform intimate duties, and i've also seen that happen as well.

If that is the case, you can't take it personal. But, I do agree with other people and I'd just talk to your instructor and asked to be placed with a different staff nurse.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Closing for staff review.