Male RN-assist with pelvic exams?

[walnuttree91]

I'm a male RN, who left ED nursing ten years ago, and just returned. When I left, male nurses had nothing to do with "intimate" procedures on female patients. At my new ER, I have been told that I am to insert foleys and assist male MDs with pelvic exams on female patients.

If anything, I think that all the sexual abuse news should make it even more imperative that I avoid doing these things. Some of the male MDs agree with me. Your opinions?

[Marylou1102]

I always thought that the purpose of having a female present was to prevent allegations of impropriety.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

... but does a female nurse ask a male to accompany her when she is going to check the private parts of a male patient? If not, why not? It's really no different -- except for cultural expectations. Why are we so quick to "respect" that cultural expectation when we don't have the same "respect" for other cultural expectations -- such as people who don't want to be cared for by someone of another race or religion?

llg

I think it could be that guys dont really do all that much to cover up when they are in the bathroom. i mean they use urinals and women go in to the stall for urination and bm's

[topamicha]

but does a female nurse ask a male to accompany her when she is going to check the private parts of a male patient? If not, why not? It's really no different -- except for cultural expectations. Why are we so quick to "respect" that cultural expectation when we don't have the same "respect" for other cultural expectations -- such as people who don't want to be cared for by someone of another race or religion?

I think, as someone else mentioned, this has to do with preventing allegations of impropriety (what a good way to put it). Historically, women are victims of sexual abuse far more often than men, and this is just a safeguard. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I think that comparing this to racism is absurd. Preventing sexual impropriety and refusing to be cared for by someone because of the color of their skin? Just not comparable to me.

[ToryAdore]

Having a female nurse present during the PE is as much a safeguard to the MD as it is to the pt. I've read about the numerous frivilous law suits and allegations by pts. who accuse the MD of fondling or conducting themselves in an otherwise inappropriate manner when in fact, the exam was carried out by the book.

[LPN1974, LPN]

I hope I never have to do a PE - it kind of ruins one's sex life - don't you agree?:imbar

What does a PE have to do with your sex life?

If you can't separate the two, then I agree.....you don't need to assist with PE's. JMHO.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

It's nice to know there are those out there that can't seprarte their personal lives from their professional ones (refering to those that say pelvic exams dampen their libido. Which sounds like a PERSONAL PROBLEM).

[topamicha]

What does a PE have to do with your sex life?

If you can't separate the two, then I agree.....you don't need to assist with PE's. JMHO.

Or even be in the profession for that matter. When you go into nursing, you are dealing with the human body, period. If you are so worried about your libido that you avoid doing professional duties, there's a problem. Women have been in nursing since the very beginning, seeing all kinds of unsightly male problems, and I have never once heard a female nurse make such an unprofessional comment. Nursing isn't supposed to be a boost to your sex life.

[StuNurseUP]

As a pt I would not want a male to do my pelvic exams, be it an MD or an RN. I dont think he should without a chaperone. Working in a hospital I freqently hear male's describing thier female patients... anatomy. Men are more likely to sexually abuse than women are. Those are the cold hard facts. Stats show that women are more likely to be abused ( in america 1 outof 3 women are). to me that is a good enough reason to demand chaperones for males to do that type of care on a female pt. But male pt's should also be able to refuse pelvic care bieng done by a femae RN. Just because we medical professionals are clinical about the human body doesn't mean the patients are.

[LPN1974, LPN]

As a pt I would not want a male to do my pelvic exams, be it an MD or an RN. I dont think he should without a chaperone. Working in a hospital I freqently hear male's describing thier female patients... anatomy. Men are more likely to sexually abuse than women are. Those are the cold hard facts. Stats show that women are more likely to be abused ( in america 1 outof 3 women are). to me that is a good enough reason to demand chaperones for males to do that type of care on a female pt. But male pt's should also be able to refuse pelvic care bieng done by a femae RN. Just because we medical professionals are clinical about the human body doesn't mean the patients are.

I agree. And of course, it all depends on the patient. Some females do not mind having males perform intimate exams on them. But some females do mind. I would be one of those who would prefer a female nurse.

And sometimes it depends on the situation. If I am in a car accident and come into the ED, I mostly likely am not going to care who is working on me....just do what needs to be done and get me back to being alive. I'm probably not going to remember much in that situation anyway.....

But if I am A & O, and need procedures such as a pelvic exam and a foley....at least give me the option of having a female nurse do those procedures.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I work with some gifted male nurses who have as much expertise as some of the interns we have.

Why should a nurse (of either gender) not have as much or more expertise than an intern?

After all, nurses have already developed their touch...interns are still learning.

Comparing nurses to interns as though a good nurse might aspire to "have as much expertise" to an intern is comparing apples to oranges, and a bit derogatory to nursing.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

It's nice to know there are those out there that can't seprarte their personal lives from their professional ones (refering to those that say pelvic exams dampen their libido. Which sounds like a PERSONAL PROBLEM).

Agree with this.

[Nurse-To-Be-Joy]

As a non-nurse, I would *prefer* a female, but Iwould still be comfortable with a male. The only exception would be if I was raped. Then I would only want females working on me.