transgender nurse (transvestite)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 14, 2004

Closed for a cooling off period. Thanks everyone for all your input.

CCU NRS · Jan 15, 2004

Congratulations Nursecathy!!!! Your very first thread got people so riled up the moderators shut it down for a while Good Job!!!

I think this shows the validity of your concerns personally!

Sheri257 · Jan 15, 2004

I sincerely doubt that anyone will really "cool off" on this issue.

Too controversial.

gypsyatheart · Jan 16, 2004

Originally posted by athomas91
i find it disturbing that as nurses we attack each other just for having differing opinions.... that is what makes our profession unique and wonderful...
nursecathy - you have some very valid concerns - and you seem like a caring, intelligent, and concerned teacher....
she states concern FOR THIS STUDENT as well as for patients - which IS her responsibility as a teacher and as a nurse....
Although raised in a strict christian home - and although i hold many of those values - i have very good friends that would by biblical standards be considered wrong.,.....i however love them the way they are....
many in this post nearly lined up those w/ conservative view in a firing sqad line....THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT - JUST LIKE THIS STUDENT DOES.... you are doing the same things to those who hold different views as you accuse them of doing- shame on you!
i, like most of you, wish this world were different, and accepting of those that were different - and i try to help that along - HOWEVER, i also deal in REALITY.... as an educator, nursecathy must look into the prospective future and gauge what horrible reactions are possible...not only for the nursing program, but for this student's welfare.....she was not being judgemental - she was being concerned - which to me speaks of a caring instructor.

I have to agree w/you here...VERY good post!

It's all well and good to subscribe to lofty ideals, but we DO live in the real world and in the real world this student may well find some difficulties, especially in a small, conservative community. I think this instructor came here voicing some very real concerns. Like it or not folks, we DO NOT live in Utopia. As someone else already said, times change, norms change, however, PEOPLE do not always keep up w/these changes...

mattsmom81 · Jan 16, 2004

Originally posted by lizz
Judging by the way everybody freaked out on this thread, I'm afraid the student might experience the same reaction which, unfortunately, isn't surprizing.

Not 'everybody' freaked out. Many posters here are capable of discussing a topic without becoming overly emotional and judgmental.

lilpoo_1 · Jan 16, 2004

There really is not enough information from the OP regarding this person to qualify whether or not they should be a nurse.

My thoughts about this from reading the post is that it sounds as though the OP has a personal issue with transgender in general. I don't think the true intent that it is for the "safety of our patients" is the true discussion here.

Unless the guy looks like a guy and has breasts or dresses provactively as a woman but has a full fledged beard it should not matter to the patients whether or not he is transgender. Our personal lives shouldn't matter to the patients. Some nurses are gay, divorced, christian, black, white, etc. Patients don't know a lot about the nurses caring for them and if the transgender issue is not obvious then it is none of the patient's business. Unless patient care has been compromised, none of these "differences" really matter.

Glad you were not my nursing instructor. Hope you don't teach cultural diversity or ethics.

sashibeak · Jan 16, 2004

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?

Hi Cathy,

I understand your concerns, I really do, and so I am going to answer your question.

No, I would not mind being treated by a transgender nurse, nor a gay nurse, nor black, yellow, white, pink with blue dots and a huge mole coming out their nose nurse!!! But that's ME personally. As long as they are good and efficient at their job, that is ALL that matters.

I was a professional dancer before changing careers, and I have a lot of wonderful friends who are gay and transgender, so does this mean I am biased?

Of course, we shouldn't discriminate against anyone, although we all know that people do, even in this world that has no limits and boundaries anymore.

This is out of your hands.......... treat this student as you would any other. I am sure that she can take care of herself, and has come up against idiotic ignorants, who don't know how to deal with her, before. You may be surprsied how few people even realise that she is/was a "he".

Relax; things have a funny way of working out! Take it all on board as a wonderful and new experience.

Good luck!!

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2004

Amazing that this thread has garnered so much attention. Just because it is so different in nature I guess.

I will fully admit that I have no comprehension of what motivates or drives these transgendering people. Therefore I cant answer the question. Im just a simple old country boy, I guess. I am not even sure how to classify them. Do transgendered men prefer men or women as partners. I really dont know anything about them. I dont even know that I have met one. Never felt the need to study on this subject.

I guess I am guilty by ignorance

CCU NRS · Jan 16, 2004

Originally posted by lilpoo_1
There really is not enough information from the OP regarding this person to qualify whether or not they should be a nurse.

My thoughts about this from reading the post is that it sounds as though the OP has a personal issue with transgender in general. I don't think the true intent that it is for the "safety of our patients" is the true discussion here.

Unless the guy looks like a guy and has breasts or dresses provactively as a woman but has a full fledged beard it should not matter to the patients whether or not he is transgender. Our personal lives shouldn't matter to the patients. Some nurses are gay, divorced, christian, black, white, etc. Patients don't know a lot about the nurses caring for them and if the transgender issue is not obvious then it is none of the patient's business. Unless patient care has been compromised, none of these "differences" really matter.

Glad you were not my nursing instructor. Hope you don't teach
cultural diversity or ethics.

Nursecathy here is yet another one! They say they are for equall treatment but here she thinks from your post you should not be allowed to teach and is glad you weren't her instructor. The hatred in these people is much worse than those of us who openly admit that we are uncomfortable with this situation and are seeking some assistance in learning more and becoming more comfortable with this issue! Life is a learning process and we all must learn to deal with things that we are uncomfortable with

button2cute · Jan 16, 2004

I think this post had revealed many issues among the forum. We had reveal our personal stories, thoughts and feelings. Most of all, we had learned that everyone has their opinions and thoughts about this issue of transgender and the educational system.

We as nurse and as humans know that we will face numerous of obstacles in our lives. We will have to defeat the obstacles by selecting the best resolution that will be fair for all. When trying to search for the best solution, we sometimes stumble and fall and get hurt. However, that does not terminate the search but delay it. Then one day in our search for the solution, we decide to reach out to others and to see what they think. Sometimes others can shine light upon the issue in another viewpoint that we cannot see ourselves. Due to the narrow mindness and/or blindness and/or acceptance of the issue among us and not wanting to compromise. After the input by others, we review the obstacle again and try to adapt our strageries of resolution.

No one ever stated it would be easy and everyone will be happy by the soultion you select. Just remember the meaning of the obstacle and the outcome should be positive as well as rewarding.

There will be many obstacles we all will face in our profession and we need to be tactful, supportive and understanding to these obstacles. Do not be afriad of them...embrace them and resolve them.

Believe me, you will face more transgender issues as well as other issues. It is how you can handle them that matters.

Do not ever place yourself in a position of a lawsuit or in a negative position.

Oh by the way, in my work place ...there is a nurse that is going through the process of a transgender nurse and her work is excellant. She is a male to female and in the transition. Therefore, she has proven to others it is not what she does in the bed room and choices she makes for herself but it is her work as a nurse and patient care.

Have a great day, all.

shawng007 · Jan 16, 2004

i have done much study on gender issues, as i have come across them in my travels. people who are transgendered feel that they are the opposite sex, that they were born with the wrong parts. there have been studies showing that gender roles in mice may be genetically determined, and that neurons in the limbic system of transgender males actually approximate those found in genetic females. these individuals do not want to be the opposite sex, they need to be, and mentally, they are. there should be no discrimination of these people, for they are not in control of this. some may be able to stifle it for a while, but the reality will come about sooner or later. as an instructor, this is part of your teaching, to openly accept and teach this person.

kc ccurn · Jan 16, 2004

One of my most memorable and heart wrenching patients was a woman transfered from the medical floor to critical care for dehydration. She was in the early stages of her sex change. When I first got report I was nervous... do I address he as she, or she as he, so I asked the patient's preferance. She wanted to be addressed as she. Admitted to the hospital with AIDS, she was transferred down to critical care because the nurses upstairs had ignored and neglected her. Her IV had been buff capped but nobody gave her po fluids, thus the dehydration.

I treated her like I would want a family member treated. Don't we all deserve to be treated nicely? When she transferred out of the unit, she held my hand and started crying. She told me "thank you for taking care of me like I was a person, nobody else has. You were an angel."

I still get a lump in my throat thinking about her. I know that she died within 6 months. Although I didn't agree with her transgender decision, it was important to see her as a person, worthy of love and attention. I was thankful that I was able to help her, and embarassed at the lack of compassion displayed by my peers.

We are called as a profession to care, unbiasedly. That is sometimes a personal struggle that is very hard to do!!! If we all cared for each other a little more...