transgender nurse (transvestite)

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I am a Practical Nursing Instructor. I have had a transgender accepted into my program. He/she is a cross dresser, presents as a female but has male sex organs. I had no control over this person getting in based on numbers only. What are your thoughts on this issue? Should we allow a nurse to take care of the patients who misrepresents their sex? I feel that it is wrong. Nursing is much too personal at times.

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

If this is a school where they ask permssion, then it would be weird to say "would you mind having a transexual nurse today?". :)

:chuckle :roll I'm sorry, but picturing that got me all tickled.
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I am still surprised how many feelings and opinions this thread had provoked.It's just amazing how some people can be so judgemental.I'm not saying I approve or disapprove,but if this person can pass the entrance exams and passes the interviews then she should be allowed to attend school.It sounds like this person has been put on trial,convicted and sentenced by the court of public opinion.The offense:marching to the beat of a different drum.I do think the nursing instructors and this student should agree to some ground rules regarding a uniform assignment and many other things before the school term begins as this is unchartered territory.this may help this person be protected from attack from instructors or offending others.What are they afraid of?That if they allow this once,it will be a become the norm?In nursing school,I threw a Christmas party with about 150 invitations sent out.I invited certain ones from school,including some of the instructors.A lot of them knew that I lived with my brother while in school(single mom-3 small kids)and that he is gay and a female impersonator as a profession.They were told up front that a mix of people would be at this party.I was the only student in class to have such guests such as Cher and Madonna-lol.Some of them are transexuals,others just dress up.It was an educational experience for the students and instructors alike.:roll Now some of the "stars" are in nursing school or have graduated.They all did fine.

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Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

But I imagine if someone saw a transexual come in the room, rather than see what kind of nurse they were, they would reject the student all together. If this is a school where they ask permssion, then it would be weird to say "would you mind having a transexual student nurse today?". :)

You are absolutely correct. Here is a thought for the instructor which may be time consuimng but may make your life easier in the long run.

Use your judgement and advocate skills to determine what Pts may be more recieving of this nurse. When looking over the assignments and speaking to the clients you should be able to gauge to some extent which clients will be more accepting of this student. Unfortunately I fear in South Georgia you will most likely find only females that are willing to tolerate this student. I have no actual knowledge of the area but I beleive Racial predjudice lived and still lives there very strongly and people that are unwilling or unable to accept someone because of a different color skin will likely be as much or more predjudiced against this type of thing.

Just a thought.

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I think this person deserves a chance. I know it's hard to accept where some people are at in their lives, but you're the leader in this case, so I think you must take the high road and give this person a chance, no matter what your personal feelings are about his current lifestyle. I had an psych nursing instructor 17 years ago who stated in class, which included 5 men, that she didn't know why a "normal" man would want to be a nurse. She said the person must have some sort of sexual identity crisis! Imagine saying that today. Sadly, there were people in my class who though nursing was for "girls only." You are aware of this person's life crisis so, you get to think about it and mull it over and form an opinion. Probably over the years, you've had other students w/ serious life crises that you've not been aware of: domestic abuse, divorce/custody issues, bankruptcy, etc. Give the person a break, don't write him off w/o giving him a chance.

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i must agree w/ nursecathy on some issues....and i don't want to hear any "bigot" type remarks because i have a multitude of very good friends who hail from many different lifestyles....

however - as an educator you must look not only at your nursing candidate - but also at the impact they will have socially and the interaction they will have w/ patients....let's face it, the majority of our patients are old, and they are definately old school ideals.... my grandmother would have a frigging heart attack - does that make it right?!?! absolutely not - but that is reality - so let's deal w/ reality rather than this ivory tower nursing that is being perpetuated....i can see the complaints to the hospital/school now IF this "transgendered" individuals truth came to light....and they may never be an issue, but the worst case scenario must be taken into consideration by a school/educator.....

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I recall quite a few classmates who withdrew from the difficulties of our nursing program for various reasons. I myself withdrew then returned later..I got married, it was against the rules thus I was asked to withdraw.

Some classmates faced upheavals in their lives and were counseled by the school about withdrawing due to stress, confusion in their lives, eratic behavior, lack of focus, etc.

I saw students dropped from the program on the spot for failing to comply with uniform and behavioral expectations, after being warned once. The rules were clear from the getgo and this is how it should be. Nursing is too important to not include this type of discipline.

Nursing school will have the power to influence this transgender student in a positive way and perhaps this will happen. If this person can keep his/her personal issues seperate from nursing school, and just focus on becoming a good nurse, then perhaps it will happen. Most of this will be up to him/her. The school will not do him/her any favors by coddling through nursing school with special favors...life is not like that.

Some here just see judgmentalism and bigotry but I see more: this is about applying and enforcing a uniform standard, IMHO.

Along another tangent: I have worked alonside professionals for years without knowing their sexual orientation, nor did I care. If they were good nurses and didn't bring an agenda on the job with them, I could not care less. Agendas have no place in the workplace outside of what we need to do our job, IMHO.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Originally posted by CCU NRS

You are absolutely correct. Here is a thought for the instructor which may be time consuimng but may make your life easier in the long run.

Use your judgement and advocate skills to determine what Pts may be more recieving of this nurse. When looking over the assignments and speaking to the clients you should be able to gauge to some extent which clients will be more accepting of this student. Unfortunately I fear in South Georgia you will most likely find only females that are willing to tolerate this student. I have no actual knowledge of the area but I beleive Racial predjudice lived and still lives there very strongly and people that are unwilling or unable to accept someone because of a different color skin will likely be as much or more predjudiced against this type of thing.

Just a thought.

I think unless you're in San Franscisco, Provincetown or Key West, then this would probably be an issue. Not just in the South.

athomas91, I agree with you. The potential for it to be a major headache is there and will probably most likely come to pass.

Still fairness should prevail on the part of the school and instructors. No need for them to own the prejudices of the populace. We'd still have slavery if that were the case.

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Originally posted by nursecathy

I am savvy regarding cultural diversity and do not consider this a "cultural issue". I am concerned about this persons welfare and feel that he will be treated less than well at this hospital by both staff and patients. I am also a patient advocate and I know that last year this person would be male one day and female the next. Would you feel comfortable with this person providing care to your private areas? Be honest. It is easy to say, "He has rights" and other statements that sound like the familiar soapbox jargon but can you really be totally honest about what kind of nurse you want for your most personal needs. I have a vision of my preference. I feel that he/she should complete the change process before entering nursing. Why should all society change to protect the rights of a few deviants? What about my rights?

I don't find you savvy at all..... more..i find you offensive, and scary..... and the fact that you're an instructor is more frightening still! You say you have a vision of your preference.... what if that vision did not include latinos, or women, or blacks?

Uh yea..... it IS the same thing. I'll tell you what i would feel comfortable with...a COMPETENT NURSE. Gender has nothing to do with that.

I am not however comfortable with predjudice disguised as concern for the "patients".

I feel sorry for your students... i feel they would get much more from an instructor who showed both personal and professional courage and faced her own sterotypes and misconceptions. An instructor who would be a seeker of truths, and unafraid of educating herself.

Perhaps you should consider another line of work.

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I wouldn't say that you are scary. I have always lived in the South, and I know that some patients will be rude to a transgender nurse/student. I have had a pt. recently make a comment about a nurse who was black. Whether or not it's right, people are judgemental, predjudiced and rude.

But it is against the law to discriminate based on race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.................you know the clause that is on the top of most employment applications these days.

I am not surprised that you are uncomfortable with it, because it is something that is new and unfamiliar. But it is important to be as professional as possible to this student. It is not only the right thing to do, but making your feelings known for this student's lifestyle could get you into trouble.

Just my opinion.

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Originally posted by Bevi

I don't find you savvy at all..... more..i find you offensive, and scary..... and the fact that you're an instructor is more frightening still! You say you have a vision of your preference.... what if that vision did not include latinos, or women, or blacks?

Uh yea..... it IS the same thing. I'll tell you what i would feel comfortable with...a COMPETENT NURSE. Gender has nothing to do with that.

I am not however comfortable with predjudice disguised as concern for the "patients".

I feel sorry for your students... i feel they would get much more from an instructor who showed both personal and professional courage and faced her own sterotypes and misconceptions. An instructor who would be a seeker of truths, and unafraid of educating herself.

Perhaps you should consider another line of work.

Bevi, I am so disturbed that based on a few sentences you have determined me to be prejudiced, weak, seeker of untruthes, etc, and etc. The fact is that you have done the same to me that you accuse me of doing to this student (none of which I have done) You don't know anything about me, yet you judge me. Falsely. I wanted input from others and their viewpoints, I got it and I feel more disturbed now than ever and I am actually sorry that I ever had the courage to post here. Who is biased and judgemental?

I think this thread has become a forum for everyone to vent their own feelings regarding sexuality and completely off topic! I love to teach, I love to nurse and I will pray for you. We all need to love people from the inside out as God does. When you do that you don't consider color, or sex, or disfigurement. That is my goal from this whole experience and I hope that it can become yours too. Now I think it is time to close this thread as it is very cruel and hateful.

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Originally posted by nursecathy

Bevi, I am so disturbed that based on a few sentences you have determined me to be prejudiced, weak, seeker of untruthes, etc, and etc. The fact is that you have done the same to me that you accuse me of doing to this student (none of which I have done) You don't know anything about me, yet you judge me. Falsely. I wanted input from others and their viewpoints, I got it and I feel more disturbed now than ever and I am actually sorry that I ever had the courage to post here. Who is biased and judgemental?

I think this thread has become a forum for everyone to vent their own feelings regarding sexuality and completely off topic! I love to teach, I love to nurse and I will pray for you. We all need to love people from the inside out as God does. When you do that you don't consider color, or sex, or disfigurement. That is my goal from this whole experience and I hope that it can become yours too. Now I think it is time to close this thread as it is very cruel and hateful.

Oh believe me, i'll be praying for you too.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Originally posted by nursecathy

I think this thread has become a forum for everyone to vent their own feelings regarding sexuality and completely off topic!

If you think about it, it was you who made it a sexual issue when you brought up the topic of transexuals doing peri-care.

Originally posted by nursecathy

Now I think it is time to close this thread as it is very cruel and hateful.

And I think it was you who started this ball rolling as well when you started talking about your rights being taken away by "the deviants."

Not to start trouble- just an observation. :stone

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