Ever had a patient refuse you based on your gender?

[JG_0311]

It happened to me twice in one night, the funny thing is that it wasn't the patients refusing me it was their husbands. One of them was really rude about it, I felt like asking them if they had any other prejudices that I should be aware of when finding a replacement nurse. It just strikes me as being silly, most of them have male MD's, the majority of the Gyno's in my area are also male, and that is way more personal than anything that I'm going to be doing. So why is it such a taboo to have a male nurse. I know that some people have the belief that nursing is a woman's profession but men have been involved in nursing from the very start ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_in_nursing ). If you don't want me to provide your care because you don't like the way that I do it, then I can understand. However, I don't use my member in the performance of my job duties, so don't refuse me simply because I have one.

[#1ME]

i wouldn't have cared so much but it was just the fact that he went behind my back and didn't have the decency to tell me to my face.

the husband probably feel the same way. seems like the wife would have known that her husband would not like another man bathing her. maybe it was because of their race or culture? at my hospital there are many latino patients, and they usually don't want another man to touch them. i would be uncomfortable having a male md or aide see my genitals, even though i am an rn and know they are hcps. now a days, there are way more male nurses in the field, so i think it will improve, at least 11 in my nursing class were male

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

It comes up occasionally, but usually once they know what I will be or won't be doing they're OK with that. "oh, that's what you'll be doing...OK."

More of an issue with assigning male PCT/NA who would be doing more "hands on" personal care.

[DesertRN2, MSN, APRN]

When it comes to giving a pill or changing a dressing, any gender may preside.

But, when it comes to very personal care involving breasts and genitalia, it would be prudent to have a female nurse, attendant or doctor perform the function. Don't set yourself up for a lawsuit.

I don't know seems very sexist to me ..... just be a professional and most of the time no one should care. What about personal care female nurses give to male breasts and genitalia? Should they too find an available male attendant, nurse, or doctor? To me as long as we continue to make it or think of it as an issue it is an issue. It really should not be.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I don't know seems very sexist to me ..... just be a professional and most of the time no one should care. What about personal care female nurses give to male breasts and genitalia? Should they too find an available male attendant, nurse, or doctor? To me as long as we continue to make it or think of it as an issue it is an issue. It really should not be.

No, no one should care, but that doesn't make it so. Traditionally, women aren't seen as potential sexual threats while men are.

Female staff are at risk to being groped, hit on, or having a male patient way too happy to see them; men are at risk for being accused of inappropriateness. I'll perform care of (or near) genitalia; but if they seem uncomfortable with the thought, I'd offer a female to do the task. Most will decline, but they appreciate being asked.

[NickB]

I haven't had anyone refuse yet. I do have the occasional pt who you can tell is a little uneasy and a little bashful. Normally when it comes to breastfeeding. I will let them continue to struggle on their own until they get so tired and frustrated that they have no choice but to have me help them. I get the baby latched on in a matter of minutes and then they call me everytime they need to breastfeed after that.

[acl0727]

Just remember, if a pt feels uneasy to be under your care due to your gender, change assignments! Protect that rn license!

[ITSSOSIMPLE]

No, no one should care, but that doesn't make it so. Traditionally, women aren't seen as potential sexual threats while men are.

Female staff are at risk to being groped, hit on, or having a male patient way too happy to see them; men are at risk for being accused of inappropriateness. I'll perform care of (or near) genitalia; but if they seem uncomfortable with the thought, I'd offer a female to do the task. Most will decline, but they appreciate being asked.

A quick review of state nursing disciplinary boards reveals female nurses have sexually assaulted their male patients

and thus female nurses rank highest in boundary violations. So, equally true is the fact that male patients are at risk of being groped,hit on and having a female nurse way too happy to see them. Male patient privacy is low on the agenda and for

good reasons.

Male nurses have been considered predatory perverts and discriminated against in nursing schools and hospitals. I have

never seen male nurses at L & D suites nor will you see any male mammographers. It is the institutions themselves that

discriminate against males, not the female patient population.

My urology experience is just as unique as your childbirth experience,yet there are no male cna's nurses etc at urology

clinics,despite the fact that men apply for these jobs.

[Karl Farmer]

And there are always patients looking for a reason to sue, and if they claim something happened, good luck proving your innocence. I worked LTC forEVER, and every day told male CNAs never to take care a female alone, to always work with another to dissuade any false allegations. Also, I don't think one person (male or female) should ever turn or transfer an old patient alone, in any case. It's just easier on everybody, prevents falls, complaints, back pain, etc.