Question for the females about working with a male in neonatal

Published

Have any of you ever worked with a male nurse in neonatal? If so, how did you feel working with him?

May sound like a frivolous question, but I'm asking as a male nursing student: I'm in my 2nd semester, and just did neonatal clinicals about 3 weeks ago. I was definitely NOT expecting this, esp since I don't have any kids of my own, but I found that I really enjoyed the neonatal. Not simply because it seemed so laid back (although I certainly didn't mind that aspect of it), but largely because I found that it was 10 times easier and far more interesting to do all my assessment stuff. I found that by the 2nd day I was even going out of my way to ask my instructor to do XYZ, when I had never really done that much in clinical before. At least not with the same level of interest. Too - and I don't want this to sound petty or unprofessional - but since infants obviously don't talk to you, you don't have any kind of verbal distraction interfering with your assessment. (Granted, I don't doubt that they make their bodily complaints known in other ways :) )

Now I would be lying if I said that I didn't have at least a couple of awkward moments. I felt completely clueless doing my first diaper change, and my first feeding, and had to bum help off of the mothers in my clinical group. Other than that, though, it was all good.

But I'm wondering if people don't find it strange to see a heterosexual male working in neonatal. Again, I don't mean to come off as frivolous or unprofessional, but the notion does seem a bit weird, even to me - despite the fact that I found that I enjoyed it so much. I can already imagine some old, grumpy, Mother-Superior type of old-school nurse who would just have a cow if she saw an actual male nurse handling babies. Ever worked with any of those types? What are your honest thoughts on this? I don't mind hearing your real opinion, whatever it may be. You can PM me if you want.

Sorry this was kind of long-winded, but this is something that's been on my mind a lot lately. I've discussed this already a bit on the male student's forum, and am kind of curious as to what experienced female neonatal nurses think. Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU , Mother-Baby, Pediatrics,.

I work in a NICU where we have three male nurses, they are very knowledgeable and their care is excellent.

I love when they feed babies. Two of them are married and other one is single.

In NICU we are a team of nurses without gender :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The founder of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses was (and still is) a man. So was the nurse who succeeded him as president of the organization ... as were at least 2 others in leadership positions in early years.

I've worked with many men in the NICU over the years. A lot of men find that they like the NICU and men are generally very well accepted there. We have a few men who are NICU nurses on this board who will probably see this thread and join in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Level III NICU.

I work with several men, and like them all. I would certainly have them on my "list" of coworkers that I would want to take care of my own baby, God forbid I ever need NICU. My unit has a male assistant NM, as well as a male unit educator. All of the men I work with are married and have kids.

I just want to point out, although the babies don't talk, you are expected to interact with families. Updating parents, education, that sort of thing. Sometimes you will have a parent at the bedside for nearly the entire shift. Also, I have heard parents incorrectly assume that the man at their baby's bed is the doctor.

Best of luck to you, and maybe someday you'll be one of us!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I also work with several male nurses and I enjoy working with them. I find that they add dynamics that a bunch of crabby females will never do!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I also work with several male nurses and I enjoy working with them. I find that they add dynamics that a bunch of crabby females will never do!!

LOL...

Well, thanks to all for the feedback so far. I do appreciate it. Any other comments are welcome. Thanks again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just want to point out, although the babies don't talk, you are expected to interact with families. Updating parents, education, that sort of thing. Sometimes you will have a parent at the bedside for nearly the entire shift. Also, I have heard parents incorrectly assume that the man at their baby's bed is the doctor.

*nods* Certainly, I can see that. But are the parents even allowed in the NICUs like that? At the facility I was at, it seemed to be a very restricted, tight-security sort of area. Thanks for your response..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
*nods* Certainly, I can see that. But are the parents even allowed in the NICUs like that? At the facility I was at, it seemed to be a very restricted, tight-security sort of area. Thanks for your response..

On our unit (level III), parents have 24 hour visitation abilities. The only time they're not allowed at the bedside are during nursing change of shift, and when the doctors are rounding in that room. During these times, parents can go get something to eat, or just hang out in our family waiting rooms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'm a guy, and I work with 3 others in NICU. We also have 6 male RTs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
*nods* Certainly, I can see that. But are the parents even allowed in the NICUs like that? At the facility I was at, it seemed to be a very restricted, tight-security sort of area. Thanks for your response..

NICU's usually do have restrictions on visitors and have greater security to limit the flow of people who come into the unit ... but I can't imagine a NICU in the United States that would put more than just a few restrictions on parents. It's not healthy for parents and infants to be separated. Without regular contact, the parent-infant relationship can become seriously compromised.

Most units allow parents to visit regularly around the clock, with only a few limitations. Most units also allow other people to visit (e.g. family members, close friends, clergy, etc.), but usually with a few more limitations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

We have 24 hour visitation, too, except for shift change. Some parents are always there.

I've worked with guy nurses and they're great. Most are married, a couple aren't. Sometimes dads prefer the "male" perspective; it makes them feel more a part of things than when they're surrounded by women. Sometimes it's nice just to have a little hunting/fishing talk ;).

Besides, from what I learned in biology, half of all parents are male :D. I doubt you'll have any problems with people's attitudes.

If this is an area you're interested in, definitely pursue it. There's always something new to learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a male and plan to work in the NICU when I get done. I'm doing an externship this summer in the NICU. I love it! I think most people think of it as rocking babies, but I like most of the things you mentioned. It's ICU, you see a lot of "weird" stuff (most adult ICUs it seems get the same thins over and over again), the patients aren't there because of smoking/drinking/eating/etc, and - from a man's perspective - no heavy lifting! I can't tell you how often I get called only to help lift heavy people on med-surg... :-)

I think I was the only guy who loved the OB rotation because I got to do newborn assessment and spend a day in the NICU. The charge nurse when I was there was a guy as well. All the nurses thought it was great that I wanted to do NICU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion