Male student enters OB room. What do you think?

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Apr 26, 2015

Wow, this thread is getting a popular place to post "I've heard", "I've been told", "I've read somewhere". SO much information contained in one little place....

Wow, I am really appalled at the fact that, dear OP, you've been dismissed from the program for how you behaved. Ok, so you made an error in judgment, and you actually learned from it, which is the important thing! If all nursing students were failed/expelled for making errors while in clinical, there would be zero nursing students in schools. We're supposed to use clinicals as learning opportunities.
I mean, really, why stretch the discipline of a student so far? In our clinicals, we've had something called a "Progression Plan" for a student who is not meeting course requirements in a clinical... It's supposed to help keep you up to speed if you're doing things wrong or not understanding time and time again. From what it sounds like, this was an honest mistake, the woman was covered up, and OP looked in her direction... This is grounds for dismissal? That is ludicrous.
I wonder if you were a US nursing student? I was told that having to pay for healthcare in the US makes patients feel entitled to a certain standard of care, and this is very reasonable, surely. So the patient complained, hospital got wind of it, now the student is expelled from program... Nothing reasonable about this.
I guess big money talks, and big money walks.
OP, what are your plans for the future?

Brett SPN · Apr 27, 2015

I don't even know why the instructors make passing trays such a big issue, but they do. I thought it was my responsibility. I think its stupid to pass trays in RN training. I am not one of these people that thinks certain duties are beneath them, I just don't see the point..

I think this may be more of an issue than anything else. It's not beneath us as students to do ANYTHING that is asked of us. If the instructor wants you to do it, you do it.

As for why you were dismissed, seems odd, details are missing. It seems harsh to dismiss you for staring. Any student could stare if they saw something that they were unfamiliar with. It happens. Part of the student process is gaining a poker face.

I was very tired that day and I might have stared a little too long. I saw a patient with a sweaty forehead and realized maybe I should leave. Nothing too exciting. It was such a non event I left the room and completely forgot about it until I had a meeting with my director. I wasn't sure what the big ordeal was?

The funny thing is if I am this horrible creeper then why am I allowed to retake the class?

You sir, have the mark of the beast. I had administrators at my school tell me to my face that I have to "prove" myself because I'm male and that there are higher expectations because of my gender. If they want to find reasons to put you out, they will. Move on and be happy that you aren't stuck in a thankless, back breaking career. Go to medical school where you'll be treated with more respect. You don't owe anything to nursing and don't buy into the self righteous, hypocritical BS they try to shove down your throat.

oklamedic2011 · Apr 27, 2015

as a fellow Okie, can you give me a hint of which facility this was at? I am starting my OB rotation, and want to make sure I keep my head down at this place.

explorereb96, ADN, BSN · Apr 28, 2015

ooh god...some of these women are so full of themselves. No one in that room cares about her lady parts, except medically. But people are people and will find anything to complain about. It wasn't like the maintenance crew was holed up and watching. That woman would most likely never see him ever again, but she had the power to change his life around over such a little event. What if he were destined to be the emergency room nurse that saved her little boy or girl a few years from now? smh...

Red Kryptonite · Apr 28, 2015

ooh god...some of these women are so full of themselves. No one in that room cares about her lady parts, except medically. But people are people and will find anything to complain about. It wasn't like the maintenance crew was holed up and watching. That woman would most likely never see him ever again, but she had the power to change his life around over such a little event. What if he were destined to be the emergency room nurse that saved her little boy or girl a few years from now? smh...

I think this post might be the winner for quickest/most severe hyperbolic arc of the week. My neck hurts.

offthedome · Apr 30, 2015

I start my OB clinical next week. Let's see how this pans out. :angrybird10:

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 3, 2015

Definite sexism and gender discrimination, in OB clinicals I laid low, kept my mouth shut and that was that. Did not see a delivery and did not care to see one because I had that experience as an EMT and with about 10 emergency deliveries in an ambulance I sure I had more experience than any OB nurse. Anyways dude just get through OB and get your degree, its total bull how females allow male OBGYNs to look all up in them but a male nurse doing basic care is always a pervert...whats the double standard about, I don't know....This may eventually drive me to going the PA route of healthcare cause Im pretty sure its may be the same for male NPs...is it? My dream is to be a CRNA so knocking them out with propofol and some versed, they wont even remember me...maybe that why so many guys become CRNAs...lol

truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN · May 3, 2015

I think so many guys are CRNAs because women suck at math. That's not sexist right? Lol

MaverickMac · May 3, 2015

Hey I'm sorry that turned out so weird man! I got really lucky in that all my OB patients were hospital staff. I can see how the whole staring thing was ackward for everybody involved, But i'd fight this one, here's why your a student!!! We don't go to school to do everything right, we go to learn, make mistakes, learn more, etc. etc. As long as you weren't showing blatant intentional disrespect or rudeness. Staring sounds to me like freezing up which we all do at somepoint. Some more then others. I'd take a look at your policy handbook see what action you can take. I don't know how much time you've put in to get where you are but i'm sure it's worth something too you. Best of luck either way, don't let bad experiences steer you away from medicine we need good people!

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2015

Maverick mac why does the whole staring thing have to be akward. Most of my classmate were like just turning 19 some never saw another womans vajj and like heck they were staring too, according to post conference we had some jaws dropped when they (female students)saw how a baby actually comes out, its a natural instinct to stare, the dude did nothing wrong... Some females in my class never even saw a mans privates before, some never saw foreskin before...yes virgins still exist!!! These are things females often talk amongst themseves, and the whole pretence they may not have similar reactions like males is a fallacy well hidden. its just sad how men are treated in nursing school.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 6, 2015

I heard in California it is illegal for a male nurse to work on an OB floor. I would question why I even need the training?

Oh, horsepucky. One of my nurse midwives with my first baby was a guy, and he was great.

When I had male students I always asked female patients if they minded having a male student. One of my favorite responses was from an 80s lady who cackled, "He won't be the first one to see it and I hope he won't be the last!" oddly, nobody ever asked males if thet'd prefer a male nurse. Sexism and homophobia suck.

RorySeiter · May 7, 2015

Headed to my first OB rotation in a few hours. I will let you know if I am allowed in a room.