Nursing and sexual orientation

[borinick1492]

Now I will say this. For the most part, I keep to myself. And my orientation is my business. I'm not going to be telling every person I pass, who I prefer to sleep with. Again, it's my business. And I also know that what you do with your personal life should never be mixed in with your work. But the reality is, it usually does. And people talk.

I've read various places on here that some of the female nurses can be pretty nasty. Do you honestly think that a person's sexual orientation is an issue? Particularly in nursing. No I'm not a man. I'm a woman. And I'm wondering if people are truly accepting. Especially since they are in the medical field.

[Jules A, MSN]

I have to say it is rarely discussed where I work so in that respect I think people are good at keeping their business to themselves. Personally I'd be horrified if anyone got any negative feedback with regard to sexual orientation in this day and age but I guess you never know. FWIW I work at a large inner city hospital so we are kind of an ecclectic bunch anyway. :)

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

My philosophy is the same as my co workers. Don't discuss your sex life and I won't discuss mine. I don't care who you date or marry as long as you are happy. And if you aren't happy, we will all have empathy for you. Sexual orientation is not an issue, or even something we discuss at work.

[borinick1492]

Thank you so much for your answer. It's nice to see that. I really don't think it's anyone's business. But I am in a committed relationship. And if someone asks, I will tell them. I just never wanted it to be an issue. If it's not brought up, I'm not bringing it up.

[ky_grl82]

If someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, e.g., So what bf/husband do, all you have to say is: Why do you ask? Usually that makes the person stumble a little but and if they come back with something like "just curious", answer "I like to keep my private life private. Thanks for asking anyway." Be nice and usually they won't ask again if they got the hint.

[borinick1492]

That sounds good too.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Gee, I saw the title and was taken aback that nursing and sexual orientation were connected.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

I imagine that you probably haven't spent much time working in health care yet. lol I have to be honest with you and tell you that, for the most part, nursing is a gay friendly profession in this part of the country and from my limited information about the northeast, it is also friendly up there. There are too many gay and lesbian people on staff at my facility to count and there are too many RNs I know that are gay or lesbian to count among my friends too.

I just don't see orientation being much of an issue either way in health care.

On the other hand, I can guarantee that firing back at someone "Why do you ask?" is likely to ensure that people will NOT ask again about you (including "Do you need some help? You look like your patients have a lot going on!") and will almost certainly generate rumors and hostility.

Nurses love to gossip (and no I am not a fan). While the one approach suggested above has it merits, I would advise you to answer simply and straight forward should the need arise: "My partner is a ___" or "I am not married ____" or if you prefer to maintain your privacy, a gracious but silly, "I have no idea? something with computers [or] a desk jockey."

[borinick1492]

I imagine that you probably haven't spent much time working in health care yet. lol I have to be honest with you and tell you that, for the most part, nursing is a gay friendly profession in this part of the country and from my limited information about the northeast, it is also friendly up there. There are too many gay and lesbian people on staff at my facility to count and there are too many RNs I know that are gay or lesbian to count among my friends too.

I just don't see orientation being much of an issue either way in health care.

On the other hand, I can guarantee that firing back at someone "Why do you ask?" is likely to ensure that people will NOT ask again about you (including "Do you need some help? You look like your patients have a lot going on!") and will almost certainly generate rumors and hostility.

Nurses love to gossip (and no I am not a fan). While the one approach suggested above has it merits, I would advise you to answer simply and straight forward should the need arise: "My partner is a ___" or "I am not married ____" or if you prefer to maintain your privacy, a gracious but silly, "I have no idea? something with computers [or] a desk jockey."

LOL This made me smile! Nope, I don't really have anyone in my family that works in healthcare. So I'm pretty much new to this. And that sounds awesome. I guess I won't be so alone. As for the saying "Why do you ask?" yeah that sounded a little mean. I just gotta make sure the person isn't asking for the wrong reasons. Anyway, thanks for your post! It's definitely nice and put me at ease

[tewdles, RN]

I have no knowledge of sexual harassment or discrimination occurring in the workplace during my "lengthy" career...my gay friends never mentioned it, at all...so I am guessing that it is not, in general, an issue.

[Work in Progress]

No one I work with seems to care one way or another. I do work at a large urban teaching hospital. They also have sexual orientation written into their non-discrimination policy and cover same sex domestic partners in the health plan. So, I think my facility and the people who work there are GLBT friendly. My gay and lesbian colleagues seem to be able to be as open as they care to be without any negative consequences.

It probably largely depends on your facility, what part of the country you live in, the size of the town, etc. I hope you never have to endure any discrimination at your place of work and I wish you luck in nursing!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I'm completely totally out where I work, as are dozens and dozens of other people. I've found nurses to be some of the most tolerant people and least judgemental people when it comes to sexual orientation than I've ever met. Seriously.

I don't wear a sign, and I never discuss it with patients, but like you said people talk, and I am free to be myself. When I was in a relationship I felt free to talk about it they way other co-workers talk about their families. When I broke up a ten-year relationship, my peers were supportive...three years later, nosy but good people ask "are you dating anyone yet?", the same as they would someone who was straight.

Trust me on this, they are more likely to talk about you if you're lazy and leave work for the next shift than they are about your sexual orientation.