is there a problem with men going into nursing.

[JonB04]

I feel like men have a hard time going into nursing because of their gender. They need female chaperon to work on female patients why is that. I have never seen that happen to a female nurse where she needed a male chaperon to work on a male patient. Nor have i ever seen a male uncomfortable to have a reason to call a male nurse. Is there something different between the two genders? I would like any woman to give their opinions on male nurses. Why do you think thi

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

I certainly prefer to work with a male nurse. I don't have a problem with male nurses doing some mildly intimate procedures but chose a female OB/GYN because they usually have a better understanding of what pregnancy and female cycles are like. A good male nurse is going to be especially understanding of a patient's need for privacy and dignity. Same w/a female nurse.

[guiltysins]

I honestly think it's sad that it happens and it's a stereotype. My male friends in the nursing program have had no problems so far but a few did run into problems with husbands in the OB clinical which I think is wrong. You can allow a male doctor to deliver your baby but you don't want a male nurse holding your wife's legs up? My male friend who is starting the program with me works as a CNA and he also ran into this issue. In the facility he was working at, he's not allowed to have female patients unless they really need the help and the nurses OK it which I think is a little ridiculous, some floors he's not even allowed on.

If you think about it, it's a double standard. A nurse or female doctor isn't in the room when a doctor comes in do they? Last time I checked they were still men. And it's sad that just because a man is a nurse, that suddenly changes the rules. Most patients who don't mind though always said a male nurse was much more enjoyable most of the time than a female. They seemed less cranky and had less attitudes.

I have a female GYN and honestly I don't like her much. My sister and mom both have a male OB/GYN and they adore him, so I think I'm going to change to him. None of the docs I've been to ever had anyone else in the room, male or female.

[realgoldfearsnofire]

My male OB always requires a nurse in the room with him during examinations. With the amount that doctors are wrongly sued these days, it's just plain smart to do that. I don't think it says nearly as much about the male health provider as it does about our litigation-loving society. A patient's word will always trump a health care provider's word, so having another body in the room to vouch that you did your job right is intelligent, whether you are a male or a female. I think male health care providers may just be more acutely aware of this because men typically get the short end of the stick when sued by a female patient.

OP - I for one love male nurses and male OBs, etc. I have found them to be much more sensitive, understanding and jovial than many female nurses/doctors.

And PS, I don't think you are "shifty" at all!

[JonB04]

My male OB always requires a nurse in the room with him during examinations. With the amount that doctors are wrongly sued these days, it's just plain smart to do that. I don't think it says nearly as much about the male health provider as it does about our litigation-loving society. A patient's word will always trump a health care provider's word, so having another body in the room to vouch that you did your job right is intelligent, whether you are a male or a female. I think male health care providers may just be more acutely aware of this because men typically get the short end of the stick when sued by a female patient.

OP - I for one love male nurses and male OBs, etc. I have found them to be much more sensitive, understanding and jovial than many female nurses/doctors.

And PS, I don't think you are "shifty" at all!

Thank you

[mangopeach]

I have no problem with male nurses, with the exception that as with almost all professions, I hear that male nurses in some places are paid higher than their female counterparts.