transgender nurse (transvestite)

rn3504 · Jan 19, 2004

As a nursing student, a post like this makes me wonder if our evaluations are truely based on our performance. I really don't think that this students choice of sexual identity is even the instructors business. I can think of lots of things that could be considered "deviant" by society that everyone is taught (especially by our instructors) is the other person's choice and I don't think that this is a different situation. I hope that not all instructors base their opinions of their students on their personal lifestyle choices. I guess if so, competence is not important.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2004

In virtually every state that I have looked into getting a nurse's license in, there is one statement that invariably disturbs me.

"The applicant for licensure must be of good moral character"

Who judges this good moral character? What are the standards applied for "good moral character"?

Is anyone other than me disturbed about this and how it could be applied. And why should this be applied to nurses?

How many of us are clean, without any sin, without any deviation from the norm and whose standards apply?

SouthRN · Jan 19, 2004

Originally posted by LisaRN2B
Normal: A setting on a washing machine.

Right! :roll

You have to be very careful in using the "normal" or "deviant" words.

I have a friend that misuses that word often. When pointing out what strange things she does outside of work, (I am convinced she has OCD), she says "that is normal for me!"

Per DSMIV description of her behavior she is not "normal". But hey! Who am I to pass judgement and give a diagnosis?! It is just my opinion of what I think... She is a great nurse and in a way her behavior makes her probably a very "focused" RN..

Furthermore there are RNs I have worked with that are lesbian/gay that do their jobs. And in fact I find them to be better focused on what is put before them. Some didn't feel comfortable talking about their personal life and just focused on work. That's the way it should be anyway..

I have worked with one RN that wore too much makeup. It bothered me a lot but she did her job very well.

What this all boils down to is can this person do what is asked of them.. I say yes they can. Someone that is in a lot of pain will not care who is their nurse as long as they will provide them with the best possible care. You also have to figure in how long someone will be inpatient at a facility. What is the average these days? 2-5 days.. I don't see them forming any close relations with the nurse. In fact that is what we are really taught to do, focus on their care. I know when I was working 12 hour shifts and the census was up to 15 beds, I didn't have time to sit around and chat with the patients.

NurseCathy you just teach this student everything he/she needs to know in nursing. You guide this student to be the best person they can be. It is really irrelevant who this student is. It is relevant that this student wants to go into this field of improving the welfare of people's health.

I do have one question. Are your other students giving you a hard time? I remember going into nursing with a bunch of young folks right out of high school. In our first year there were a few gay folks in our class and some were very judgemental of them. Little jokes here and there. I am just curious..

MAGIK GIRL · Jan 19, 2004

Originally posted by dreamon
Tiny Nurse, I appreciate your outlook on this situation. Transgender/sexuals will be coming out more and more in the future. I am NOT surprised that someone brought this topic up. There are many close-minded people on this board.

Obviously is this student comes to class dressed as a woman and is taking female hormones...why use the 'he/she'? what is a he/she?

I am sure that some people will have a problem with this student using a female bathroom.
So what?
Are there open stalls in the restroom?
Are you uncomfortable that she will see you washing your hands??

Get over yourselves people...we are a few years into a new millennium. At least try to learn about someone before condemning them.I feel sorry for people with no empathy for others who are not like themelves. Life will be rough for you in the future.

dreamon:) i agree with your point of view. i just want to add though that i think people have a right to talk about it and be curious.

tiny nurse:) this bb provides a great service. it is a way for people to vent, ask questions, get opinions and learn - here you can say what ever you want and won't get the same stagnated opinions that you may get from your social circle. here, you get references, answers and opinions from all over the world. and as for this question coming up, well you will learn as your career progresses that one of the best ways to deal with things is to talk about them.

mg;)

FNP grrl · Jan 20, 2004

this is a helpful link for anyone who wants to educate themselves more about transgender issues in general.

http://www.transgenderlaw.org/

and from the same site- this deals with transgender healthcare issues specifically:

http://www.transgenderlaw.org/resources/tlchealth.htm

(i don't see anything in the TOS that prohibits posting links- this isn't an advertisement or solicitation, it's a link to a nonprofit organization- but if we are not supposed to do that here i apologize)

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

It is fine to post links to non-profit organisations and thank-you for doing so.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 20, 2004

Thanks, FNP-

That's a very interesting website. I really never considered the insurance problems this population might have. Nor did I know some surgeons required total sex change before they would agree to do certain surgeries.

FNP grrl · Jan 20, 2004

you're welcome!

CarolineRn · Jan 20, 2004

Hello there. I read your post, and wanted to make a comment.

I just graduated in Dec 2003 from an ADN program. When I began the program, there was a student in our clinical program whose sex was questionable. (No, it wasn't anyone's business, but it's one of the things that DO happen when a large group begins to bond) The person presented as female, but had many masculine features-- large, manly hands, deep voice, male facial features. All of the male students absolutely insisted this person was male, while some of the women (like me) pondered whether or not this was just a very unfortunate woman. During our OR orientation, the women went into the women's locker room to change into scrubs (an open area) and the men into theirs. But at just that moment the student in question claimed she had a headache, and took a clinical absense! Needless to say, word got back amongst the other students and this poor person became the class pariah. Shortly after that, she began making many "mistakes" in clinicals. So many that she had to repeat level 2, and from that class her incompetancy supposedly became more apparant. She created such a stir at a local hospital, the the nurses informed the instructor, and announced that they would no longer work with her. (not sure if they were genuine mistakes or if the nurses' prejudices and fears created them.) This student was again failed for the same level, and no one has seen him/her since.

My heart goes out to your student, I am sure he/she has dealt with prejudice many times before. My personal opinion is that regardless of his/her competancy level, there will be many people (students, nurses, and yes patients) whose fear and prejudices will not allow them to judge this student fairly. That is tragic. As a nursing instructor, I feel you are not only a patient advocate, but you are an advocate for your student as well. As you know, this student is facing many obstacles to his/her dream already. My best advice to you is to evaluate her competance, and don't worry about the rest. Perhaps there will be times that you'll have patients or nurses who refuse to work with him/her, and reassignments may be neccessary. A small price to pay if in the end you are helping to grow an otherwise caring, competant nurse. :)

ERNUTBALL · Jan 20, 2004

Well said Caroline! :)

CarolineRn · Jan 20, 2004

Would you feel comfortable with this person providing care to your private areas?

NurseCathy, I would't feel comfortable with ANY person providing care to my private areas! :chuckle I suspect very few of our patients actually are, but they accept it as a neccessity.

SouthRN · Jan 21, 2004

Originally posted by ERNUTBALL
Well said Caroline! :)

Ditto!