Male student nurse interviewing for Postpartum..

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hello nurses!

I am a nursing student that has always been into maternity and newborn health. Once I finally started my OB course, I fell in love even more. I was offered a full time position this summer in the NICU as a student nurse intern and I was very excited. I have an interview in the Mother/Baby unit next week and that is a unit I also am very interested in. For people working in Mother-Baby/Postpartum, have you ever worked with any males in that unit, have you ever seen a male work in Postpartum and how were they with the patients? Nothing will change what I am interested in because I'll always be interested in maternity and newborn. Thank you guys!

Specializes in Nursing Education.

I have worked all over the USA in Mother/Baby and in NBN and have only seen Male RNs in NICU or NBN. Good Luck :-)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Worked with men in NICU, antepartum, and M/B. For a while we had a male L&D nurse. Almost all the patients like the guys, and the ones who ask for women do so out of religious reasons, not because they personally dislike the male RNs. As long as you can handle that from time to time and not take it personally, you should be fine.

I wouldn't have an issue with it as a patient or as a coworker. As long as you're competent, caring, and do your job, I'd welcome you either to work with you or for you to care for me/my loved ones. If it's what you want to do, go for it.

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Worked with men in NICU, antepartum, and M/B. For a while we had a male L&D nurse. Almost all the patients like the guys, and the ones who ask for women do so out of religious reasons, not because they personally dislike the male RNs. As long as you can handle that from time to time and not take it personally, you should be fine.

I wouldn't have an issue with it as a patient or as a coworker. As long as you're competent, caring, and do your job, I'd welcome you either to work with you or for you to care for me/my loved ones. If it's what you want to do, go for it.

Where you been, girl? Watching basketball?

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I did my OB/GYN rotation in a hospital that serves a big orthodox Jewish population. Our clinical instructor arranged things so that no one was uncomfortable or excluded and I had a great experience working with patients doing exactly what the female students were doing. As a male nurse, I would estimate at 10% or less the times patients (male or female) have declined my services because I am a guy. That includes straight to my face (my preferred route) or through requests to managers or other nurses. No matter how caring and awesome you are as a nurse, as a guy you will have to deal with discrimination from patients. I just want the best care for them no matter who delivers it so I don't take it personally. In a OB unit that 10% refusal rate will jump just because you are a guy. If you can deal with it then of course go for it. Hopefully the manager knows their patients well enough to be sure that your talents won't be wasted just because of your sex. I will say that if you wear a wedding ring and/or have kids of your own that can tend to make families and patients more comfortable with you. Good luck getting your dream job!

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I find the paradox of our society interesting - on one hand, promoting gender equality has been hailed as one of the cornerstones of advancing our society. Yet this post is an example that runs contrary . I'll play devils advocate. What if I were to say "when I started managing my finances, I got a female financial advisor who managed my brokerage accounts. A lot of people however would prefer a male though (in this male dominated field)". How many of you feel comfortable with that statement? Now lets reverse that statement "When my daughter was born, 2 male nicu nurses assessed her after delivery and then she had a male lactation consultant. A lot of women to prefer a female though" both sound strikingly similar in principle. For those who believe the second scenario is appropriate, id like to point this out as a double standard . Food for thought

Being a financial advisor doesn't involve your genitals. If a woman is uncomfortable with a man in this sensitive and personal area that is 100% her right. I'm also not aware of different rates of abuse between male and female financial advisors - but I am aware that a significant number of women have been abused by men in their lives - and if a woman doesn't want to be reminded of that, that is also her right. When it comes to husbands/partners throwing a fit - yeah there I would say that it's the husband acting like he owns his wife to refuse care of a male nurse - but if it's the woman herself I don't see how you can't support it. Saying those two scenarios are "double standards" is ignoring the reality of hundreds of years of sex-based oppression and stereotypes and is not helpful.

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

So... I got the job! The nurses were very nice, helpful, and sweet, they were happy to see a man wanting to work on the unit. The manager called me back the next day offering the position. I start next month!

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I think it's wonderful that you have such a sense of compassion for new moms and their babies and I think this will shine through as you care for both in the NICU. As a mom of four, I can say PP is the last place I'd want a male nurse. In L&D, it was all about "Get this baby out!" I had male OB's, I was completely focused on my baby. But after delivery on the PP floor is where I felt the most exposed, the most self-conscious. Here was a stranger coming to look at my bottom/lochia, looking at and handling my breasts, and I felt like a hot mess. It really helped to have a female nurse at those times in particular. I know there are plenty of kind, compassionate male nurses who could provide fabulous care, but I felt so self-conscious at the time with all the weirdness coming out of my body. So a male nurse at that particular instance would have really bothered me. Just being honest with ya... Best wishes to you as you begin your new adventures!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
So... I got the job! The nurses were very nice, helpful, and sweet, they were happy to see a man wanting to work on the unit. The manager called me back the next day offering the position. I start next month!

Well done! I'm glad you found a supportive unit. Take every chance you can to learn and grow. Congratulations and best wishes!!!

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So... I got the job! The nurses were very nice, helpful, and sweet, they were happy to see a man wanting to work on the unit. The manager called me back the next day offering the position. I start next month!

Congrats! Very happy for you.

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Good for you man you will do wonderful things for your patients! Congratulations!

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

Understandable, well fortunately when I was doing share time, every patient I dealt with had no problem with me being a male which is great.

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Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

Thank you guys! I really appreciate it. I'm so ready to learn new things I can take with me after graduate when I start an RN position.

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