ArgentumRN

Sorry to hear you are not comfortable around men in general. If you want to work as a nurse you will have to work with them. Coworkers, patients, patients husbands boyfriends, etc. Get counseling and some anxiety medications or forget about working in the hospital. Working from home would be most ideal. The world is not going to change to accommodate to your needs. Good luck. I mean it.

we use an applicator.

BTW I am a male nurse as well and to everyone I am just a nurse, not a male nurse. Love L&D and I agree with the previous post that L&D is a mix of ICU and ER at time. You will love it. message me and we can get in contact if you want.

Our hospital just hired a male RN. They offered several New Grad training programs for L&D and he is part of that new wave of nurses. Good luck. L&D is a great place to work.

Hello everyone: I am a dude aswell. In our labor and Delivery unit there is not a "limit" for lady partsl deliveries; it is mostly at the discretion of the nurse, but I always ask the patient how many people she wants during labor vs pushing stages. On our PACU just 1 person allowed, but I am a bit more flexible if the patient is stable and if I am the primary nurse. In the OR only one visitor only, unless is an emergency then no visitors... our ratio is 2:1 and depending on the case. All active labor 1:1

Great comments from everyone!. Glad to hear there are other guys out there supporting our moms, their babies and their partners. I strongly agree that it all depends how you present yourself and the level of support you provide your patients with. I am also a male RN working Labor and Delivery with high risk patients and I love it. Nothing beats witnessing a new life taking his/her first breath. Very unique and life changing for sure! I'd say go for it with confidence and passion. You will make a difference.

Mr Midwife: Thank you for your reply. I am very interested in knowing more about your experience as a nurse/midwife and how you have been accepted over the years. I want to send you my e-mail not sure if you are interested.

I think you should not have a problem getting hired.... unless you are competing with more experienced nurses for the same position... I work L&D and is no problem. Yes, every now and then someone will have a preference for female nurse but you just change assigments and should be ok. Getting some extra training in newborn/maternal health would give you also more experience. ACLS, PALS and NRP would help as well. You should apply for those positions.

Thank you RunBabyRN for posting.

Thank you Dancingqueen94!. I already work L&D and is amazing with great families!! I was wondering if anyone worked with male RN's..... search continues..

Just wondering how many male nurses work in LDR/Post-Partum units. Send me a message/get in contact.

The answer is YES. There are afew of us male nurses working Post-Partun and Labor and Delivery. You will do just fine and who knows you might decide to stay, specially is you like the emergent situations that arise without warning... Best of Luck.

Well said!!!!

SaoirseRN: You missed the point and the sarcasm that went with it. The basic point is that being territorial does not help anyone... we are suppose to care for these patients as a team and that we dont own these patients... do you see it now? what is the "protective" nurse going to do on his/her day off? you see? just dont forget who is the nurse and who is the family. The "territorial" attitude screams unhealthy behaviour...... The initial post seemed more like the nurse did not like that particular RT at a personal level perhaps not sure...and the RN's way was the only way..... that was the point. Again that is an unhealthy behaviour. It does not matter how much you choose to ignore it or look at it is very unprofesional.

"So yeah, I claim it as my baby...i'm there to protect them from harm, to get them through the night alive, and to get them home in a few months. I spend hours more time each day, with these babies, than even their parents do" You still dont get it..... now you have more rights that the parents themselves. It does not matter how much good intention you have. By being territorial only produces a barriers among health care professionals. But forget it. I dont expect you to see that either.

Well said!!!!

Right... we are responsibles for the care of patient. But dont call your patients "my baby" understand they are NOT YOURS! and when you act "territorial" it does not make you a better nurse. It makes you look insane and unprofesional. If the RT is "pouring" a gallon of NS then EDUCATE NOT DICTATE.....you depend on that RT to better care for your patient. Just remember those patients dont belong to you. You dont own them.

If that is your calling and passion go for it!! you are there to be a nurse NOT a male nurse. Put that behind you and move forwad. You will be great as a nurse in pediatrics or anywhere you go. Again follow your passion.

I work Labor and Delivery, MB as well. I am the only guy there actually. More guys in NICU.

Go for it if it suits you. Personally is not for me...

Dont worry about being a good "male nurse".... just be a good nurse.

found it. Thank you both.

I need some help finding information online regarding Fetal Monitoring Guidelines AWHONN/ACOG...... how often do you monitor in your facility with a srom/arom, pit drip, etc. any clear cut answers? Thanks in advance for the help

I would like to see the reaction on people's faces when you go for a job interview and tell them you cant shake hands and leave them with their hand hanging in the air, then tell them you cant do male catheters or work this or that day..... first impressions are important. I respect you point of view and I just saying that you wont have the time to explain your reasons for doing things or not doing things to every single person, Doctor, Fellow Nurses, PATIENTS...... that shield/barrier you come with might affect your nursing carrer. You will get the detoxing/agressive patient the suicidal one, the very sweet and understanding, the demanding.... how will you accomplish the tasks needed to get this patients thru their day? Nurses reagarless of color, religious preference, gender, sexual preference, age etc are expected to act in a professional way. Just for the records men CAN care for female patients because they are professionals and ofcourse women CAN take care male patients because they are profesionals as well.

Working in a female dominated profession men often have to go the extra mile, above and beyond and be extra careful how we present to our co-workers and patients/families. That is how I feel it is.... It is said that only takes 30 seconds to make a positive or negative first impression in our patients. What do you do to make this a positive one? How is your approach this differently than your female co-workers? anyone?