question for the guys

[jackson145]

OK, so I'm not a guy, but I'm curious. I'm getting ready to start NS in Jan. I'm thinking I would prefer a guy lab partner to a female. It's been my experience from poking and prodding my husband that's it's easier to find landmarks and thus hear sounds and such on the male body. Would most guys be uncomfortable with a female lab partner? After having 2 kids, nothing embarrasses me, but I know not everyone shares my lack of inhibition!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I don't think it would bother me at all. I would rather have multiple partners in fact allowing me to have different experiences.

Ok that just had me rolling!! I know you didn't mean it that way but I guess my mind is in the gutter.

I for sure hope I don't have to get down to my underwear for anyone in class, I think I would be a bit mortified. I am a pretty modest person and very well endowed in the chest area as well and it' uncomfortable enough at the Dr. Office let alone my fellow classmates :| *no I am not obese or anything, just uncomfortable in my own skin*

[jedv#1]

I agree with the others. You have to be proficient on both sexes. In the real hospital setting, you can't choose which gender to assess. :)

[d!gger]

Some people are shy. Some aren't. Come right out and ask them. As long as there's mutual consent and respect, you're off to a good start.

Besides, you're eventually gonna have to ask the exact same questions of your patients. And find mutually agreeable solutions with your patients depending on their response.

dig

[abismojo]

This topic was of no concern at our school, when we got into lab we were all excited about inspecting variations in each other. If someone had an abnormality, which someone in the class will, everyone will want to listen, touch or look at it. Things such as a sinus arythmia, or split s2 were common, but people wanted to listen. No one seemed too shy about taking off a shirt (guys) and lifting their shirt (girls) to allow others to listen to the heart, lungs, bowel sounds, etc...... But as someone mentioned before, you have to get over that shyness because you are about to get real personal with a lot of patients and they do not want a nervous person performing their assessments. I would suggest pairing with a girl and a guy. You do have to take cultural considerations into account as well, as some middle eastern culture do not allow men to touch the women, and a female nursing student might not appreciate a guy trying to listen to their heart.