Nursing concerns....

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Hey, I have some concerns that I would like answered if you wouldn't mind :)

I am strongly considering a career in nursing. I am a male. While, I don't have a problem being a male, I have some other concerns. I recently got engaged about 2 months ago and I am worried about making my fiance uncomfortable. Now...a lot of you will probably say, "Well then voice these concerns to your fiance and see what her reaction is." Well I did that and she said she would be ok. Ok means: uncomfortable, but I will deal with it lol.

I'm simply curious on what is in nursing that would make me or my future wife uncomfortable? I know I gotta wipe some butts, give some people some bed baths etc. I don't know THAT much about nursing. I just would like to know what "awkward" situations may arise. I don't necessarily want to bathe a naked woman besides my wife. Actually...I don't want to at all. That would be extremely weird and strange. I don't want to purposely pursue a career that would make my baby girl uncomfortable. So how common are these happenings and are they generally avoidable? I really like the sound of the nursing career otherwise.

Please answer respectfully. I really do care for people, but I care more about my fiance's feelings and emotions. And she does care for people too, but this is a career choice and I want to make the best choice for my future with her. I love her dearly.

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yes, you are going wipe female buttocks, wipe "front to back" and give perineal care. you will clean urine and feces from cracks that you did not even know existed. this is a part of nursing. you will insert catheters into female clients and be required to spread their labia apart to clean it so that you can maintain sterile technique. you will lift up breasts and fat folds to clean and dry the areas. this is part of nursing.

you will see old bodies, young bodies, skinny bodies, and morbidly obese bodies.

i enjoy making my clients feel more dignified by ensuring they are clean, comfortable, and as odor free as possible. even the patients who cannot respond will have my vocal reassurance and utmost respect and care.

these are people who need care. basic hygiene measures are key to wellness, maintaining dignity, and even preventing the spread of pathogens. (you do not want feces migrating into the lady parts or around the urethra)

this is basic nursing 101. yes, nurses get down and dirty. an rn, lpn, or a bsn-rn, are not above ensuring that clients are well taken care of-which can include the 'dirty work'. it's all part of the job.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

You will run into the same situations that we female nurses run into with our male patients, and sometimes female patients.

We encounter full nudity during treatments, procedures and daily hygeine. As Violet said, bodies of both sexes and all ages. There are times when people act inappropriately, both male and female, sexually, violently, suggestively, etc.

If your fiance says she is okay with it, and willing to learn and cope along with you, accept her support! (The feminist side of me wants to know why you are calling her a "baby girl" though:clown: )

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While seconding everything VioletKali said, I'd like to point out that it is also true that, once you finish school and get licensed, there are many, many different specialty areas and career opportunities within nursing, some involving v. little initimate/personal care.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Hmm, I never thought to ask my husband if the duties of my job made him uncomfortable. It sounds to me like *you* are the uncomfortable one. Does is scare you to imagine that you'll actually see people naked? Believe me, you'll get over that pretty quickly. One of the first things you'll learn in nursing school is to keep people covered as much as possible and only expose that part that you need to access. Seeing some guy covered up in sheets or towels with only their "junk" hanging out pretty much kills any feelings you might have. It's not really a sexual situation, it's just your job. Same with breasts and other private parts. Sick people aren't all that sexy. After you've seen a dozen or so, you won't bat an eye at it. Interestingly, though, it probably won't affect the way you look at your girl.:D She'll still be sexy.

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Specializes in L&D.

VioletKali has nailed it...you will see it all. Don't forget OB clinicals...you will see lady partss, my dear, and lots of them.

We have been raised to view genitalia/breasts as sexual. You will work in an environment where these parts are not thought of in this way - they are just "parts" that everyone has. You'll get over it. I promise :yeah:

You are very sweet to consider your fiancee and her feelings. That said, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Go for your dreams, and good luck! :)

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Yes, you will learn to see the member, breasts and lady parts as just another body part.. I have never had a problem cleaning the female body or placing a foley but the first time I had a mans member in my hand to insert a foley it was odd...

Yep, I got over it quick and now they are all just another body part, nothing sexual about it :)

If this is your dream, you will get past it and be very professional.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

You say you care for people but why are you considering nursing if the basics creep you out? There are many other "caring" professions in health care that may be better suited to someone who's bothered by the down 'n dirty part. Plug "health care jobs" into Google and spend some time researching different avenues available to you, I'm guessing you'll find something else that makes you and your fiance less "uncomfortable."

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

It is awfully sweet of you to be so concerned about your fiance's feelings. I think you'll find your mind readily separates the functional and work-related duties that involve exposure of a body part, from the personal and sexual "you". It's a very common concern. I doubt anyone would criticize you for asking!

There's a Male Nursing Student and Male Nurse Forum here where your concerns might reach a more targeted audience and browsing through their past thread topics might give you some insight into what the experience is like on a day to day basis. Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"I don't want to purposely pursue a career that would make my baby girl uncomfortable"

This statement makes me uncomfortable. If you are not willing to take on the nursing role head-on, you might as well not start. If your baby girl is not willing for you to take on the nursing role head-on, you might as well not start.

An inability to view the human body without sexualization of the various body parts would be a major stumbling block to a nursing career. I can't tell if you have the stumbling block or if baby girl has it.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I really don't mind the "baby girl" thing. It's a term of endearment which need not be politically correct nor is it a sign of an unhealthy fetish. Or maybe it just seems tame as my boyfriend calls me his "Little Kewpie Punkin-pie".

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.
"I don't want to purposely pursue a career that would make my baby girl uncomfortable"

This statement makes me uncomfortable.

Whew, I'm glad I'm not the only one that did a double-take.

OP, yes, you will need to figure out if you and/or your significant other can handle your working with people's private parts--there's absolutely no escaping it in clinicals.

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