OB clinicals

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 27, 2005

Hello everyone !
I'm about to start my OB clinicals and i'm a bit scared. I'm a male nursing student and I was wondering on how patient's react to male nursing students. What should I do, if they feel uncomfortable? I've never (visually)experienced labor before and i'm both excited and scared. I would gladly appreciate y'alls tips and advice. Thanks in advance ! And Happy Easter !

Since many/most OB pts. have male OBs, I would think that it wouldn't faze most of them to have a male student. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Nurse2B2005 · Mar 27, 2005

Hello everyone !
I'm about to start my OB clinicals and i'm a bit scared. I'm a male nursing student and I was wondering on how patient's react to male nursing students. What should I do, if they feel uncomfortable? I've never (visually)experienced labor before and i'm both excited and scared. I would gladly appreciate y'alls tips and advice. Thanks in advance ! And Happy Easter !

I graduate in May and we had our OB rotation last April. We have one male in our class, and he was as white as our white uniforms on the first day of the OB rotation. He was really dreading it because he was afraid that the moms wouldn't want him in the room. There were a few that didn't want a male student, but overall, he did very well. He got to watch a c-section on the first day and he came out of there smiling. He ended up having a great time during the OB rotation. Keep in mind that I am sure your instructors know how awkward you will feel being a male and they really go out of their way to make sure that the mom is okay with having a male student (at least at my school they did that). That helped with the uneasiness. Have fun - the OB rotation is definitely one of the highlights of nursing school.

LauraLou · Mar 27, 2005

We had a male nursing student in my clinical group. He had a really hard time in L&D and postpartum. He was able to see one c-section, but no pt would allow him to be present for a vag birth. He was never able to find a pt who would allow him to do postpartum care.

This was a private hospital and the nurses didn't seem very open to having a male student, so their attitude might have influenced the pts. Another male student who was at the county hospital had no problem finding pts who would let him observe births/give postpartum care. So it may depend on what type of hospital you are at.

It seems strange that pts who have a male OB would not want a male nursing student in the room, but that was definitely the case at this hospital.

Good luck!

m4rtin · Mar 27, 2005

Hello !

Thanks for the great replies ! My clinical rotation is @ a federal funded hospital here in Houston. I'm a people person and I usually get along with most people, but my main concern is that what if the patient rejects me. I have anxiety issues when it comes to people rejecting me. Because i'm so used to getting along with most people. Last month during our PEDI clinicals, the parents of my patient were very angry and frustrated and did not want any student to be taking care of their child. My whole demeanor just went down the drain, my teacher even said that after that incident, I totally changed. I just want to know how to react in a situation just like that. I want to build enough courage to do what I have to do. Anyways, thanks again for the replies and let me get off my soapbox.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2005

... but my main concern is that what if the patient rejects me. I have anxiety issues when it comes to people rejecting me. Because i'm so used to getting along with most people. Last month during our PEDI clinicals, the parents of my patient were very angry and frustrated and did not want any student to be taking care of their child. My whole demeanor just went down the drain, my teacher even said that after that incident, I totally changed. I just want to know how to react in a situation just like that.

I just wanted to add some encouragement: in the (generally rare) instance where a patient/family refuses your care, 9.9 times out of 10 -- it's not about you. It's their issue, preconception, anxiety, stress, etc. Like you, I consider myself a "people person" and generally develop a good rapport with everyone quickly. However, I had a similar experience to yours during my peds rotation -- the mother of a 15-month old patient picked him up and clutched him almost the instant I walked into the room, and insisted that I did not need to take vital signs, check his I/O, etc. ... on and on and on ... a VERY long day. Frustrating, yes, but I took consolation from knowing that it was most certainly not about me at all.

I do think that OB can present a particular challenge for male students. We had 2 in our clinical group, and both of them had one patient who refused to have a male student assigned to them. But both of them were assigned to other patients, and had no trouble having access to other lady partsl deliveries, c-sections, and post-partum patients. One student was particularly uncomfortable with post-partum assessment, so he asked the instructor, RN, and patient if another female student (or the female instructor) could accompany him -- the patient agreed, and everything worked out in the end.

Even if it's not your "thing" -- make the most of the experience. Being present at a birth is one of life's most amazing, powerful experiences! :)

AKAKatydid · Mar 28, 2005

We start our OB rotations in May, so I don't know about OB in particular, but I have found so far that patients in general somehow have that weird sixth sense that allows them to SMELL student anxiety! LOL!

One poor girl in my clinicals, *sigh* it seems every patient wants nothing to do with her! And it's awful because she's SO good!!! They just somehow know that she's unsure of herself.

... I guess what I'm trying to say, is walk tall. Pretend you're comfortable with it, even if it is awkward... Eventually you really will be comfortable. You're not a male nurse, you're a NURSE dangit!

And when you introduce yourself, "Hi I'm [name], and I'll be your student nurse for the day". Don't add the, "Ok?" to the end!! If they want to object, let them, but don't invite the opportunity! (That goes for all of us students!)

You rock! Best of luck.

Let us know how it goes!

~*~kendra~*~

m4rtin · Mar 28, 2005

Wow, thanks for those encouraging words. :kiss

I will try to make it through this, whatever it takes.

Glimmer · Mar 28, 2005

i agree with the others... you may have those that object but it isnt your fault. when my sister was in labor i was in the room with her as was her husband, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and father-in-law for most of it. she was not sure she wanted her fil in there for the delivery though... it was not until the doctor came in (complete with 3 med students) that she figured at that point it no longer mattered... the room was full of people. in most cases the patient is so pre-occupied with what is going on or going to be going on that they may not object for that very reason.

if you do get the patient that doesnt want you in there because you are a male dont take it personally. from what i have heard it is often the husband/so that objects to a male student in the room not the patient herself. and you will get people that will object to a student nurse regardless of his/her sex just because they can.

good luck! keep your head up! hopefully you will get to experience some amazing events. i know seeing my neice being born was one of the most amazing things.

m4rtin · Mar 29, 2005

Well, i'm just praying that nothing bad will happen during clinicals. I will try to keep my head up and do my best at it. I honestly do not think that i'll be working in OB field when i graduate, so i'll just fake it till I make it.

Nurse2B2005 · Apr 1, 2005

Well, i'm just praying that nothing bad will happen during clinicals. I will try to keep my head up and do my best at it. I honestly do not think that i'll be working in OB field when i graduate, so i'll just fake it till I make it.

You will be just fine - I can tell, by just reading how you will keep your head up. Please report back to us and let us know how it is! I'm am 100% sure it will be better than you thought it would be! :)