men in home health nursing?

RobLPN · Mar 31, 2005

I've worked some in HH. A vent pt, but for the most part HH is closed to male nurses due to families prefer a female in the home.

ryanfocker · Apr 6, 2005

hi, i'm a home health aid right now in nursing school.

i probably only got hired because of my gender, its seems most people prefer a caregiver of their own gender. personally, i would rather have a woman around. i also feel i haven't gotten other jobs because i am a man and they were looking for a female. so i have never had the chance to work with female patients.

from talking with coworkers though, it seems like men want the mechanical part done well and fast, with less chit chat, and women want to discuss how they feel more....not a slight to the women who are looking in....just an observation.

my patient and i almost never talk about feelings, we almost exclusively talk shop, or about the eagles, the ncaa, or baseball.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Apr 6, 2005

In my assisted living facilty we have equal male nurses to female nurses as home health and it doesn't seem to be an issue what so ever! YEAH!!!!! My residents are just happy to have the personal care, so they don't complain!

The sad thing is that we have a CNA who is not only male, but african american and the women use to give him the hardest time (he is in RN school)...but after a few months and his very understanding and gentle nature he was excepted and now he is being requested by so many we can't please them all..LOL!!!

WHy the change...I don't know, but it is nice to see that 60-90 year olds here are a little more enlightened and understand that it doesn't matter what sex or nationality or color you are..you are there to help! And believe me..they keep on asking! LOL!!!!

Jackal66 · Apr 11, 2005

I was wondering if any of you guys work in home health. What kinds of issues do you have to deal with and how do you cope with it? I'm wondering if there are very many men in home health. I'm looking into it and have some concerns like personal cares to females, when you are alone in their house. Are there issues with that? Do they (agencies) mostly assign male nurses male patients because of that, or if female patients, something like COPD follow up or dressing changes on the leg, etc... Very curious. Thank you for any replies.....

I have worked in home care as a RN for 4 years. I have never had any issues with patients and family members in having me as a nurse. You have to remember that patients don't have the right to be sexist in choosing who they will accept nursing care from. I always think of what a female nurse might say if a patient would refuse care just because they didn't want a female taking care of them!

JessicaInOr · Apr 11, 2005

I have worked in home care as a RN for 4 years. I have never had any issues with patients and family members in having me as a nurse. You have to remember that patients don't have the right to be sexist in choosing who they will accept nursing care from. I always think of what a female nurse might say if a patient would refuse care just because they didn't want a female taking care of them!

Jack...

Females don't think about that. It's a given for many females... a female does the job. Period, the end.

Check out my thread about females wanting male nurses if you don't believe me!

If I have a female gyn patient and she wants a female nurse, you bet she gets her wishes. That's wrong. We are medical professionals, period the end! Not saying I agree with these women, I just know it is. I work home infusion. Women who request female nurses get what they want. It might not be fair but it is a reality.

Edit to add: If a female dares to go as far as to request a male nurse we are told we are mentally ill and flirtatious. I don't flirt with my male nurses, I demand the same respect I give my male patients. But apparently, I am in the minority!

hairychestednurse · Apr 25, 2005

I have worked in pediatric home care for 15 years. Only once was I mistaken for a jealous husbands rage in the middle of a divorce process.

I have taken care of boys and girls, infants and adolescents. Parents want some one to care for their kids. Yes at times you may be tested but that happens to us all as male nurse( I hate that name) is there such a thing as a "female nurse?"

Do your job, be the nurse that you were trained to be. I have taken care of many children at night where I thought the single parent was at ease just because I was a man.

I haven't done much home care with adults so I can't help you there.

Kids are honest, they don't pull punches. When you are very ill it doesn't matter what sex takes care of you, as long as you take good care of them.

Go for it!

leslie :-D · Apr 25, 2005

. You have to remember that patients don't have the right to be sexist in choosing who they will accept nursing care from. I always think of what a female nurse might say if a patient would refuse care just because they didn't want a female taking care of them!

just because a female may not want a male doing pericare or any intimate procedure does not automatically deem her sexist. and vice-versa. any nurse should try and respect the patient's wishes in terms of gender. often times it is not as black and white as some may think.

perhaps a female pt. was raped or molested before.....it would be perfectly understandable her being adverse in having a male nurse care for her. and to say we're all professionals is the intellectual perspective. but when it comes to dealing with patients from all backgrounds, it would be short-sighted and insensitive NOT to try and honor their wishes. it's not about us; it's about them. :stone

leslie