Sexism in nursing

[RNGuy12]

I find that as a man in nursing, I encounter a lot of sexism from my female coworkers. When I am doing my shift in labor and delivery I'm always called out of my patient's room if one of the nurses wants help with lifting heavy patients or things and instead of helping me lift, they stand and watch as I do the lifting.

They make remarks about me being a "male nurse" which I find to be a sexist term. I don't call them female nurses.

The unit secretary also makes very sexually suggestive remarks to me constantly. I mean, if I said to her the things she says to me, I would be fired in a heartbeat.

I've tried to explain that some of their behavior and phrases are sexist and as such offensive, but my concerns are dismissed. The reason I was told is that, I am a man and men have been sexist against women for years. So I should be able to handle women being themselves.

Anyone else run into issues like this?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I am thinking SEXISM. It is interesting to see that, when females are in the Majority-such as Nursing, they act the same way anyone does when they are the Majority.

Let's not paint a broad brush here...if someone is making inappropriate comments they do need to be teported, even if that means going over your managers head; you should also document when it's happening, as well as speaking up when situations that you feel uncomfortable about.

But history has made it very difficult for them to believe that. They have become very effective at getting everyone to believe that they are something other than humans that have a dark side like the rest of us. And none of the past historical treatments that they have received justifies that behavior when it is done themselves. I am very passionate about the situation, but no one wants to hear it. And I am not good at being hopeful when it requires me to deny the truth.

The rest of your post sounds as if you are again, painting a broad brush to "them", so how is that may better?

You may need to speak up and document; asking someone to help and you happen to be make is NOT sexist; them not helping you could be sexist but the major issue is you potentially hurting your back is unsafe because they are not helping; also one person making suggestive comments and another who happens to be a female as well doesn't make ALL female nurse abide by the last parts of your statement.

We are ALL human, yes, but again, you should take the emotion out of it and figure out which patterns are sexist and which are not, and DO something about it.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Of course there is sexism in the carer field. This is mostly a woman's career, just look at the demographics. I mean even the text books I used in school referred to RN's as "She or Her". Keep your head down and remember as a guy in this field, you will be thrown under the bus first. If you refer to a Female RN as Sweetheart, your butt gets reported. If a female RN calls you Sweetheart, its ok. Get used to it, keep you head down and DO NOT dip your pen in company ink.

The claws are known to come out in this field.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

The unit secretary making sexual remarks to you is absolutely harrassment. If you have asked her to stop and she does not, she needs to be reported. Uncalled for and inappropriate.

You could also set boundries. If someone asks for lifting help, I would be clear "I can HELP you" and you direct ie: Ok, if you can get this side, I will get this side" kind of a thing. "Are you coming in? I think 2 people will move this patient better".

If someone agrees to assist in moving a patient, then they are ASSISTING, not doing it themselves. And I would be clear about that.

I would also be clear if I am called the "male nurse" to say "My name is RN Guy 12".

Yes, sexism does exist. And yes, it does seem ignorant. However, for all of us, the best thing that one can do is to politely stand up for ourselves.

[exit96]

Let's not paint a broad brush here...if someone is making inappropriate comments they do need to be teported, even if that means going over your managers head; you should also document when it's happening, as well as speaking up when situations that you feel uncomfortable about.

The rest of your post sounds as if you are again, painting a broad brush to "them", so how is that may better?

You may need to speak up and document; asking someone to help and you happen to be make is NOT sexist; them not helping you could be sexist but the major issue is you potentially hurting your back is unsafe because they are not helping; also one person making suggestive comments and another who happens to be a female as well doesn't make ALL female nurse abide by the last parts of your statement.

We are ALL human, yes, but again, you should take the emotion out of it and figure out which patterns are sexist and which are not, and DO something about it.

Can I politely state that, every time I post here someone tries to dismiss my thoughts as "blanket statements." I am trying to talk conceptually, maybe I don't do a good job of it, my apologies. Can we admit that women act a certain way and men do as well? I'm sorry, guess I'll give up on this site...

[morte, LPN, LVN]

women firefighters/cops were told to "get over themselves" it wasn't appropriate then...and it isn't now.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Can I politely state that, every time I post here someone tries to dismiss my thoughts as "blanket statements." I am trying to talk conceptually, maybe I don't do a good job of it, my apologies. Can we admit that women act a certain way and men do as well? I'm sorry, guess I'll give up on this site...

No, because I don't act "like a woman" and men don't "act" like anything. We are all human and have the same emotions; I have learned that we are different in how we approach things; the way I approach life is one that may be described as "manly"- and has been described so, and get very offended for my human reactions to be labeled.

I known men to gossip and women to have incredible strength, so, no one ha a corner of what sexual aspects, at least not in this current lifetime.

So, let's stop labeling each other and have a little objectivity here: if you are being harassed and someone who thinks that that's ok because of THEIR own stereotypes is WRONG.

I think we an agree on that, yes?

[exit96]

LadyFree28, I actually do agree with you. I seem to see the opposite played out most of the time. Sorry, I'm not real articulate with my points that I am trying to make.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

LadyFree28, I actually do agree with you. I seem to see the opposite played out most of the time. Sorry, I'm not real articulate with my points that I am trying to make.

No worries, that's the beauty in dialogue, and the ability to want to continue to engage in it. :)

The only 'sexism' that I encounter is:

(1) Not chaperoning pelvics... unless, that is, the doc is a gal

(2) I've had a very small number of women who were uncomfortable with some aspects of care being provided by a guy... and one Iraqi lady and her husband who were terribly uncomfortable with nearly all interaction I had with her.

My "X chromosome deficiency" doesn't bother me in the least.

~~

I suppose you could consider it sexism that I frequently get called into rooms with combative or hostile patients but frankly, I'd have it no other way... I'm kind of old-fashioned and I think the guys *should* step up and take the front when we're engaging violent patients. Usually we have the guys doing the restraining and the gals dropping the lines and pushing the meds.

When a patient went 'hands-on' with one of our female cops, two of our male nurses immediately joined the fray and helped get him under control. I expect that of the guys -- I don't necessarily expect it of the gals (though some are quick to join the fight).

[Tait, MSN, RN]

No matter your gender, being a minority (male in a female dominated workplace), or station in life, NO ONE deserves to be made uncomfortable at work. Report the secretary and call out the others.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[exit96]

How does speaking about your vasectomy equate to speaking about children? That sounds inappropriate.

I understand the connection. He (and he's not alone) gets sick and tired of the obsessive, continual, out of context comments about peoples children, so his vasectomy discussion is an example of "here's some crap you don't want to hear either." Fight fire with fire...and both sides should maintain a sense of humor about it. I understand his point ENTIRELY.

[OCNRN63, RN]

How does speaking about your vasectomy equate to speaking about children? That sounds inappropriate.

​Completely agree.