Personal Guidance

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2015

If one has difficulty with 50% of the population they're training to serve, then it's not the right training for that individual. Clinical skills are learned and must be passed for male and female patients. I can see how small accommodations for rare situations might be made, but this one is simply too broad.

Wolfe24 · Dec 21, 2015

She will undoubtedly be exposed to male anatomy in her clinical training and later in practice. One of the skills nurses learn is how to do catheters on both sexes. Men can often get out of doing it on females, but I've never seen a female nurse not cath a male patient because she was uncomfortable with it. If she can get through her training somehow, perhaps L&D or mother baby would be good places for her?

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 21, 2015

There is a huge difference between personalizing and sexualizing anatomy, and the reality of the needs of the patients you are taking care of.

I have a hard time with eyeballs. And mucus. So much so that it makes me gaggy. Literally dry heave. And that is not professional. So I need to figure out how to do these things without compromising care (or vomiting on the patient, which is frowned upon). My work around is strong mints. Not to say everything has a work around, however, some things do.

If I may be so bold, you, as her husband really to think about a way to be supportive and encouraging on the idea that male anatomy that requires nursing intervention is only a part of what we do as nurses, and is just that--an intervention like any other. And that you understand that it is not disrespectful to you or your marriage, as it is non-sexual in nature and purpose.

There is no shame or reputation damage that should be associated. Historically, as well as biblically, women have been ministering (for instance/example) in washing, preparing and wrapping the deceased. Which includes males who are not related to them.

I honor and respect your right to practice your religion. Perhaps this is something that can be discussed with your religious leader. However, personal beliefs are not always something that can be practiced at work as a nurse. I would hate to see anyone with a desire to go into nursing be turned away due to a thought process of it being damaging to marital vows. Because this is not the case, in my opinion.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Dec 21, 2015

If OP reads other threads, there is no guarantee that once a nurse, that she is guaranteed any specialty, especially one that would keep her away from the opposite sex. Also, hubs, why are you asking and not her if she has such an issue? Sorry, have to ask

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Dec 21, 2015

You don't need to have sex with them, you just have to care for them. What if the patient is a lesbian? Or a transgender? How's she going to handle that? I'm thinking another line of work might be a good idea. We're all human and we all pee out of the same hole.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 21, 2015

I don't think your wife would be able to get through school without some exposure to men in all their glory. Nurses and nursing students deal with incontinence care and catheters in the hospital, and half the population is male.

elkpark · Dec 21, 2015

It wouldn't be possible in the US. The US educates and licenses all nurses as generalists. Even if it were possible to find a job that didn't involve direct contact with the opposite sex, one would still have to rotate through all areas of nursing practice and provide care to the full population of clients during school.

It might be possible in some other country, with a predominant culture that expects women to not have personal contact with males ...

Farawyn · Dec 21, 2015

I don't think your wife would be able to get through school without some exposure to men in all their glory. Nurses and nursing students deal with incontinence care and catheters in the hospital, and half the population is male.

Define "glory" :eek:

Do I have to whip out my "Work member vs. Recreational member" line?

Because I have it, right here, ready to go. :blink:

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 21, 2015

"If there are religious reasons why a person would not want to be exposed to genetalia of the opposite sex, is there a way to make it through the nursing training and practice while respecting this? (i.e. keeping the anatomy education to simply text-books and lectures rather than direct exposure and contact)."

The answer is no.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 21, 2015

Unfortunately there is no possible way that a nursing education in this country will exclude hands on experience with both sexes. If your wife is dedicated to the idea of becoming a nurse and you are supportive of this can you both have a talk with your religious adviser to see if exceptions are made for those providing care to others? If so and she can get through school and become a licensed nurse there may be options for working only in women's health, especially if you live in a large urban area.

Otherwise the only way that becoming a nurse may be a reality for your wife is if her education and working life take place in an area with a culture that expects that women only care for other women.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 21, 2015

Also curious why husband is asking, not wife?

And OP- the answer is no.

PS: Mr. Maryjean is an ordained minister of a fairly conservative church. He understands the 'ox in the well' may be a man and has no trouble with me caring for men. (Although currently a peds nurse, I have worked with adults as well)

PSS: And in fact your question DOES condemn us when you get down to it. Thanks.