Patients hitting on nurses

[Lev]

Makes me uncomfortable, especially when they are waay older than me. I usually explain that I'm your nurse so no you can't have my number etc. How should I interact in a way that is neutral and gives the patient the least amount of pleasure in the interaction as possible?

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Recently on my consecutive day working with same group I was pulled of one patient assignment because this old guy wanted a female nurse. His wish was granted. I was not surprised because he was extremely flirtatious with the female CNA's so I knew that was the reason he did not want a male nurse. I was like oh I'm so hurt because I was fired but it really don't matter to me when patients make gender specific requests. It seems like female nurses / charge RNs are apt to encouraging this by pulling male nurses of the assignments when male patients make these requests. My advise is to be careful ladies because one day that innocent and joking flirt might turn into action and eventually assault.