Nursing and sexual orientation

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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.

When I was a CNA I would rather work with a male CNA or a male nurse. I feel that their is less drama and they are usually stronger when it comes to lifting patients.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
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.

I have a gay co-worker. I know it, she knows I know it, but it is just not an issue - could care less.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

I have done clinicals where I felt like I was the minority with a husband and three kids. :lol2: In my current position I was shocked to find out randomly about a coworker. Looking back I guess it was pretty obvious, but I never even put a thought to that person's orientation one way or the other. I walked into a conversation and thought, well, DUH! I only cared about what kind of NURSE they were. With all the gossip that goes on that seems to be not even mention worthy by my coworkers. No one cared in the least, which is saying something.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

At my place of work, the less you say the more people talk. That being said I have known some openly gay people and they and their spouses were not discriminated against in any way shape or form, they and their significant others were included in everything that included significant others.

At my workplace the only way people will talk negative of you is if you are doing things that negatively effect your patients or are not a team player.

Be yourself and enjoy working in healthcare, it is a very rewarding field.

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Thanks so much to everyone who answered. Do a lot of hospitals offer health insurance for domestic partners??

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I don't really care about any of my co-workers personal lives. I don't discuss mine with them.

I am a single mother with a teenaged child and I get asked "are you married", in which I reply "why"? I rarely talk about my family life or personal life at work because I have to keep the two seperate for my own sanity.

I don't think it's anybody's business who you sleep with in your personal life. I really don't care either way. All I want to know is are you a team player and do you pitch in and help when needed?

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Retirement Residence.

This topic made my day, seriously.

I'm glad I won't be as lonely as I though I'd be :)

The health care field seems to be much more gay friendly than I though!

Good to know. :D

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Specializes in LTAC, OR.

It's funny that this came up because a couple girls I work with met at the hospital and are now life partners. A lot of people from work went to their commitment ceremony. I think you'll be fine. :)

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Wow! This is awesome! It's nice to see that so many people seem to be so accepting.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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.

whether you choose to sleep with men, women or farm animals, it's not my business. your orientation may come up in passing. if i'm talking about the great b & b i went to with my husband last weekend and you want to contribute that you and your partner went there for her birthday, the only thing i'm going to care about is how well you liked it. i might care about whether your partner has a good sense of humor and is interesting to talk to if i'm planning to go to dinner with the two of you . . . but unless i think i might want to sleep with you, it's really none of my business which gender you prefer. and since i'm happily married, i'm not looking for dates.

i'm not saying that your sexual orientation won't be an issue for any of your co-workers -- but if someone has an issue with it, that's their problem. as far as nastiness, men can be just as nasty as women, and being in the medical field seems to have very little to do with it.

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whether you choose to sleep with men, women or farm animals, it's not my business. your orientation may come up in passing. if i'm talking about the great b & b i went to with my husband last weekend and you want to contribute that you and your partner went there for her birthday, the only thing i'm going to care about is how well you liked it. i might care about whether your partner has a good sense of humor and is interesting to talk to if i'm planning to go to dinner with the two of you . . . but unless i think i might want to sleep with you, it's really none of my business which gender you prefer. and since i'm happily married, i'm not looking for dates.

i'm not saying that your sexual orientation won't be an issue for any of your co-workers -- but if someone has an issue with it, that's their problem. as far as nastiness, men can be just as nasty as women, and being in the medical field seems to have very little to do with it.

thank you so much. i really love the response i've gotten. i see what you're saying. and you're right

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Generally, nursing tends to be okay regarding sexual orientation. It tends to be a live and let live profession...at least as far as that aspect goes.

I have found that most places, people try to scope out your situation....does he or she have kids, a partner, a "longterm companion" and things like that when they are getting to know you. As I rarely talk about that, there was some rumor that I might not be straight ( never married, no spouse, no discussion about dates) . When I finally discussed my male SO, they were a bit surprised. But I have never felt any unpleasantness.

I have seen more religious nurses try to convert (and annoy) nonreligious nurses than straight nurses hassling gay nurses.

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