men in pediatrics:) thoughts?

labordude, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2013

Given several "best nurses" for the job, as there is usually more than one choice, the nurse who adds the most to the unit should be hired. In many cases, units are in dire need of increased diversity, thus additional consideration must be given in this area when all other areas are relatively equal. I would never suggest hiring someone deemed unqualified just to improve diversity balance.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Aug 22, 2013

Devil's Advocate here - and truly, no snark intended- can you describe to me a unit in 'dire need of increased (male/female) diversity'? How would you decide that this is needed?

Jay_LPN · Aug 25, 2013

I wish to also play Devil's Advocate. In general, parents these days seem to assume men are inherently pedophiles. In the profession of teaching; a single accusation, even proven false, is a permanent black mark on that male teacher and can and usually will cost him his career. This is why male teachers are becoming less and less prevalent.

Is this the same deal for nurses? Or is there a certain trust placed in male nurses that does not exist with male teachers? I can't imagine parents in this age of media fear-mongering and stranger-danger never once expressing some degree of discomfort with male nurses caring for their children.

zzbxdo · Aug 26, 2013

I wish to also play Devil's Advocate. In general, parents these days seem to assume men are inherently pedophiles. In the profession of teaching; a single accusation, even proven false, is a permanent black mark on that male teacher and can and usually will cost him his career. This is why male teachers are becoming less and less prevalent.
Is this the same deal for nurses? Or is there a certain trust placed in male nurses that does not exist with male teachers? I can't imagine parents in this age of media fear-mongering and stranger-danger never once expressing some degree of discomfort with male nurses caring for their children.

Meh far fetched and over dramatic. That's like male OBs are regularly under scrutiny by their child bearing clients. Cause you know, men are dirty o pervs. Gender gaps are diminishing, everyone is liable for what they do, especially in nursing.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Aug 26, 2013

I've been an RN for 8 years, and an NNP for almost 3. I've worked everywhere from PICU, Peds ER, general Peds, but the vast majority of my job life has been in NICU. I love it.

Jay_LPN · Aug 26, 2013

Meh far fetched and over dramatic. That's like male OBs are regularly under scrutiny by their child bearing clients. Cause you know, men are dirty o pervs. Gender gaps are diminishing, everyone is liable for what they do, especially in nursing.

That's a good thing.

Anyhow, what I posted was just for discussion value. Best wishes for your future hrawlins!

ArgentumRN · Aug 30, 2013

If that is your calling and passion go for it!! you are there to be a nurse NOT a male nurse. Put that behind you and move forwad. You will be great as a nurse in pediatrics or anywhere you go. Again follow your passion.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Aug 31, 2013

I don't recall hearing any complaints on any of our floors. We have the occasional Muslim family that asks for females only. Most people have male doctors, dentists, etc. I would think they put male nurses in the same category.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2013

I worked in pediatric ICU for years. We had one male RN. He was an excellent nurse, but we did have occasions where the parent, usually a female parent, would complain about having a male nurse for their female child. I remember two incidents when he was accused of touching a child inappropriately; he was determined not guilty by administration. That said, I also know of two other male nursing assistants that were "let go" by administration because they each had been accused of touching female patients. None of us believed it, but they lost their jobs nevertheless. One of them had been working there for at least 20 years, and it broke his heart. A third incident that I witnessed involved a younger male assistant; he simply peeped behind a curtain to see if his patient was dressed yet. He was fired because a female RN saw him, and claimed he was "looking" at the woman. (I don't know how you are supposed to be a nurse if you can't see your patient naked.) But anyway, these are just incidents that I remember in my 25 year career. It isn't fair, but unfortunately it is reality. (These same people would never accuse a doctor of being inappropriate.)

Jay_LPN · Aug 31, 2013

A third incident that I witnessed involved a younger male assistant; he simply peeped behind a curtain to see if his patient was dressed yet. He was fired because a female RN saw him, and claimed he was "looking" at the woman.

Imagine seeing a female nurse fired for checking to see if a male patient was dressed. It doesn't happen because women aren't assumed to do such things with a sexual intent. That was my entire basis of concern with choosing to work pediatrics.

I'm kind of happy that I'll be working with geriatric patients.

hrawlins · Oct 5, 2013

Thanks guys. I'm terrified that some nurse is going to give me a look up and down, raise her head high, and watch me like a hawk because I am a male. So many females today want gender equality but can't expect the men to want that same right. I love people, I love caring for others. I don't need anybody rather it be a parent, a nurse, a doctor, or a patient tell me what my intentions are with my career. I chose nursing because I want to make a difference. It sounds cliche but I believe in putting others needs often before your own.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2013

I think it is admirable that you want to help people. I think you have been misinformed about how female nurses respond to male nurses. Nurses look at other nurses equally as long as you are competent professionally....your gender has absolutely nothing to do with how you are received professionally.

I can tell you that the energy you portray, or put out there, will be the energy you will receive in return. ALL new nurses are under a certain amount of scrutiny while they gain competence....for nursing school prepares you to pass boards but it, by no means, provides you with the experience to hit the ground running.

There are some areas....that as a male, or female for that matter....that you will have to understand that there will be times patients/patients family will request to not have a male nurse and out of respect of the patients/family/parents wishes...you will be asked to not care for that patient....and that needs to be ok with you.

Case in point.....A cute, and not so cute, story....one night..... many, many years ago..... our "token" make nurse had a confused LOL...(little old lady) who kept pulling put IV's, crawling out of bed, swinging the call light at us and asking for 911 to be called. Cussing like sailor. She happened to need very accurate I/O and somehow, while restrained, chewed her foley tubing in half :eek: (nimble little vixen).

While helping our fellow nurse replace the foley, we helped to hold the patient, so he could replace the foley cath (a tube that goes into the bladder and drains the urine into the bag)....we thought nothing of it.......Imagine our horror, the next day we were told in report that this poor patient continued to hallucinate and that she had the delusion that she was raped by a Mexican while being held down by his four blonde "female dogs". :facepalm:

Silence fell upon the room....then we burst out laughing....we probably should have put more thought into our decisions the previous night for this poor confused little lady.....for her nurse was male and of Hispanic decent and we were all blondes...that poor thing.... what she must have thought. :eek:

So don't take it personal if you are asked to not participate or switch patients for it really isn't bout us, is it?...it's about the patient.