Nudity in healthcare classes education or violation?

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I can count two classes where one or more people were asked to disrobe in class.

The first time this happened, we all understood that this had multiple purposes. First it was to teach us how to be empathetic to the patients since we would be undressing them.

Second, we had to learn procedures the way they're supposed to be done.

The R.N. teacher let us know ahead of time what we would be doing.

The classmate I got paired me up with was trustworthy and I had no problems with her.

The second time I was in a class that required nudity, was a few years later in one of those schools that only cares about making money and not about the students.

The teacher did not tell us that someone would be asked to disrobe.

Instead it was, "Who wants to be the subject?" Since I did not know what I was getting into, I got on the table.

I was laying there in front of a class that had both men and woman while the lecture went on.

When they went to take my shirt off and required me to be exposed

I adamantly refused to cooperate. Another student had to take my place.

It's been several years but I remember being offended that they would put someone on the table in front of their classmates and expect them to have their shirt taken off without telling them first before they asked someone to volunteer.

I remember being treated as if I was terribly shallow and self-involved because I would not allow them to take advantage of me this way.

Was this my own misinterpretation, I'm not sure.

I do know I was so insulted by them talking about my "attitude" that I contacted my teachers later on only to find out they did not even make those comments on my grade report. Instead, it was the owner of this school who was already getting complaints.

I was so offended that I sent a letter to the state board who adamantly sided with the school and informed me that it was for the purpose of education.

I do think it makes a difference how this is handled and no one should be obligated to get exploited for educational purposes.

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
I am not really understanding why there is an issue now. This happened several years ago, you refused, no action was taken against you, and you have left the school. If you are still having issues, then I would speak to a counselor. A certified one, not a classmate. I could say several things here, but I am not going to. Did you write this to get people "on your side", is there an issue now? Is the new school asking you to derobe?

Let it go and don't hold on to the past. That is self-destructive behavior. You will never be happy in life if you hold on to things from years ago that didn't cause you any issues.

The idea that "the time is gone so the feeling is gone," should be avoided. I notice that this is a common complaint among victims of abuse. It was years ago but this does not make it less important.

Having open communication with classmates and others around you can be just as helpful as a therapist and can sometimes save your sanity.

Did I post this to get people on my side? Well there might be other victims out there who would like to vent.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
You get first hand experience in seeing if the patient could be uncomfortable. Our school practices only on mannequins. A mannequin's member or lady parts just isn't the same as a real human's... ;p

Having delivered 5 babies and having many more annuals, I'm very aware that it can be awkward. No need to repeat that in class to learn to be sensitive to real pt's.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
The idea that "the time is gone so the feeling is gone," should be avoided. I notice that this is a common complaint among victims of abuse.

I'm not sure where this is coming from, but you are not a victim of abuse. You were put in an uncomfortable position, you spoke up, you were removed from said position. I'm not sure how long ago this was, and I'm certainly not saying that you can't still be upset about it, even if it happened many years ago; however, I'm really not thinking it is healthy to be obsessing over this to such a degree. If it is that bothersome to you, I agree with others, that professional help is in order.

Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
Wow. Would not happen at our school. Finding the deltoid for an I.M. (Not giving it... just locating the site) maybe. Hands, feet, OK. Definitely practice BP's on each other. But no! No nudity That's where SIM lab comes in.

Imagine the risk to the school. A student is challenging a failing grade and says... "you've been against me since the time I wouldn't take my clothes off!" Or worse, "You have been abusing me and even made me undress in front of the class."

It's a very litigious day and age. It wouldn't happen now. (PS: We used to make students drop an NG tube on their classmates. We use models now.)

Oh, and BTW: Did you know that medical schools pay people to come in and have complete history and physicals by med students? Complete with pelvic and anal exam. These people are paid well for their discomfort but they are "professional patients."

We did this for our assessment final. The facility has standardized patients. Must of them are professional actors who have learned to develop full characters. No matter how far you dig in the assessment, they ARE the patient.

I actually got so lost in my assessment of the woman, and then I saw her drama tattoo (the one with the masks) and I realized that it was all an act. They are professionals, and know specific boundaries based on the simulation requirements.

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
The exact situation was never described by the OP.

She seems upset that the teachers and administrators were not supportive of this, but I really wonder if that was perceived or actual. Either way I'm sure they weren't thrilled after the state came poking around the incident.

Part of what irritated me and why I'm talking about it years later is that the state board was so insensitive in their reply to me. They insisted that disrobing was a part of training students and were missing the point of what I was saying. Part of what happened on more than one occasion and in more than one place is that some people try to guilt you into being exposed. They see this as some sort of an adult obligation and not the right and choice of the participant.

They were also disrobing and draping students in that school I went to afterwards but there was no insensitivity involved.

Did I only think they were trying to make me feel guilty? Well, it's too bad I did not keep that grade report or the letter from the state. I would include them here.

Specializes in Emergency.

You've complained about eating food in what appears to not be actual lectures and now this? lol. Can you point on the teddy bear where the bad teacher touched you?

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
Was there music playing? They provided that in Schindler's list.

No no music, just a class lecture that was all pushed into the background because this situation distracted me from what they were trying to teach.

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
You've complained about eating food in what appears to not be actual lectures and now this? lol. Can you point on the teddy bear where the bad teacher touched you?

Was she really bad? I can't answer that. People don't have to be touched to feel violated.

As one poster already said, maybe it was just my own perception.

I think what set me off was the attitude I picked up on from certain people that I was really stupid and immature if I did not want any clothes removed.

Having encountered this on numerous occasions, I was curious if this is a widespread problem or only happens in isolated cases.

What better place to find that out than here?

Was she really bad? I can't answer that. People don't have to be touched to feel violated.

As one poster already said, maybe it was just my own perception.

I think what set me off was the attitude I picked up on from certain people that I was really stupid and immature if I did not want any clothes removed.

Having encountered this on numerous occasions, I was curious if this is a widespread problem or only happens in isolated cases.

What better place to find that out than here?

Now I'm curious: after reading through so many people's responses to your original post, have you had any changes in how you view this past incident? Have you reconsidered how it might have been, your reaction to it.....anything like that?

You're right in that this is a great place to find out what many others might feel about the same situation. And now that you have.....does this change anything for you, or affect your future moves?

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I hate to make this all about you, OP, but what exactly are you looking for here? Are you looking for us to tell you the school was wrong? Well, if they wanted you to strip all the way, then, yes, they were wrong. Looking for us to tell you the BON was wrong? While the BON really doesn't care about your feelings, they should have been more sensitive in a delicate situation. Your fellow students were wrong? Yes, they were wrong to make you feel guilty for not "taking it all off" for them. Most people here at AN agree with you, yet you continue to argue with us! Either (a) let it go or (b) get real help from a professional, not an anonymous forum.

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
Now I'm curious: after reading through so many people's responses to your original post, have you had any changes in how you view this past incident? Have you reconsidered how it might have been, your reaction to it.....anything like that?

You're right in that this is a great place to find out what many others might feel about the same situation. And now that you have.....does this change anything for you, or affect your future moves?

I know now that there are some sane people out there after all.

Specializes in retired from healthcare.
I hate to make this all about you, OP, but what exactly are you looking for here? Are you looking for us to tell you the school was wrong? Well, if they wanted you to strip all the way, then, yes, they were wrong. Looking for us to tell you the BON was wrong? While the BON really doesn't care about your feelings, they should have been more sensitive in a delicate situation. Your fellow students were wrong? Yes, they were wrong to make you feel guilty for not "taking it all off" for them. Most people here at AN agree with you, yet you continue to argue with us! Either (a) let it go or (b) get real help from a professional, not an anonymous forum.

What better place to do a little research on societal issues than a public forum.

Here is my thought on it. Every day, somewhere in the world, someone is exploited for educational purposes. Is this my perception or reality? My experiences happened years ago but for some they might have happened last week, last month or last year.

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