transgender nurse (transvestite)

SharonH, RN · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by kmchugh
Not true. Refer back to the OP's third post (post #8). She wrote:
I am also a patient advocate and I know that last year this person would be male one day and female the next.
This is the quote that gave me pause. It almost sounds as if the person could not make up their mind which gender they wanted to be. Now, I will say that it is possible that for the last year, this person has been going through the soul searching and struggle I mentioned earlier. It may further be that this person has now established their real identity, and is now living that identity. If that is the case, I withdraw my objections completely.
Kevin McHugh

Oh, okay I see what you are saying. I thought the OP was referring to the surgery (one day he would be male, and the next(post-op) he would be female). If he is dressing as male one day, and as female the next that would certainly be an issue, at the least it would be disruptive to the other students and the staff.

However, if this person is a true transgender or in the process of becoming so, then they must undergo intense therapy before the final cut. It's a long intense process, so the concerns about mental instability are moot as far as I'm concerned.

My radar went off because the OP admitted that she has never even met the man and yet she already has concerns and is worried about her rights, whatever they are supposed to be in this situation. That sounds like she has preconceived notions and prejudices and like a lot of other posters have already verbalized, he/she is being set up to fail.

SharonH, RN · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by SnowymtnRN

I think too many nursing instructors make it their mission to weed out people THEY don't think are good enough, smart enough or "normal" enough. I also doubt this student would be "male one day and female the next." I honestly think this teacher is not going to be fair and nonjudgemental towards this student either. I hope the student can tough it out and prove her wrong. NOT that she should have to tho...

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more.

TNnursejane, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2004

I don't think this is an issue of cultural diversity! It's an issue of sexuality. I've worked with several gay nurses....good nurses. Maybe I don't agree with their lifestyle, but as long as they don't try to push their lifestyle off on me and do their job, then no problem!

I do feel like that if this transgender person wants to be in nursing school then we need to make sure she has all her ducks in a row. I think that about ALL nursing students. Nursing school is stressful and can be an extremely difficult time in your life. I know when I was in nursing school, there were about 5 divorces that came out of our class of 18.

Transgender seems like it's a physical thing. They've already made up their mind. They're just making the outside match the inside. Cross dressing on the other hand could be a distracting thing, which becomes a patient safety issue!

allnurses Guide · Jan 10, 2004

I don't have a problem with people who are transgendered trying to come to terms with whatever their choice will be.

Guess I was looking at it like the woman with breast cancer, who is in the midst of surgery, chemo, reconstruction . . . . is that really a good time to start the nursing program?

Since this is such a controversial issue, it probably follows that people can be prejudiced.

I'm trying hard to voice my qualms without making people think I'm being a busybody.

Think I'll bow out of this.

steph

mjamesRN · Jan 10, 2004

I don't think this is an issue of cultural diversity! It's an issue of sexuality. I've worked with several gay nurses....good nurses. Maybe I don't agree with their lifestyle, but as long as they don't try to push their lifestyle off on me and do their job, then no problem!

Diversity isn't JUST cultural. Sexual diversity is included. And gay and transgender are two completely different diversities.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by stevielynn
I'm trying hard to voice my qualms without making people think I'm being a busybody.

Think I'll bow out of this.

steph

Steph, I'm disappointed in you for bowing out. What do you care what we think if you are honestly expressing yourself. So poo on you. :)

You've made good points that makes a lot of sense. You've clarified yourself very well, and I'm more understanding of where you are coming from.

If people have a problem with how you feel, that's their problem.

Of course there is a time when we've said all we need to say, clarified our position enough, and if we find ourselves getting overly defensive, then bowing out is the right and mature thing to do. I've had to do that myself before as well.

Love you as always. I know there isn't a hateful prejudice bone in your body.

:kiss

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2004

Nobody look . .. . .

:kiss Tweety . . ..

Ok, you can look now.

steph

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by stevielynn
Nobody look . .. . .

:kiss Tweety . . ..

Ok, you can look now.

steph

hehehehe......look at the time of my edit. We were simultaneously sending kisses. :chuckle

:kiss

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2004

ha ha ha :chuckle :roll

Great minds think alike. :kiss

steph

Erin RN · Jan 11, 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?

What do you mean your rights??? As an instructor or as a pt?? As a pt you would have the right of not having this individual as your nurse but as an instructor..you really don't have any rights. You are there to teach , period. Your definition, accepted characteristics and accepted behavior of what constitutes an appropriate nursing student is of no consequence. I will bet you have taught students in the past that engaged in behaviors that you would not agree with but you just didn't know it.

I have been refused as a nurse on 3 occasions..once because I was female, once because I was "too young"..ahem I was 27!! And once because I was blonde..whatever. That is the pts right and they will enforce it..

This person is sure to come up against obstacles in all areas of life which I am sure he/ she is well aware. If the criteria for admission was met and the person accepted into school..do your job, teach the class. The comment about your rights? Makes it sound like it is "all about you" when in fact it is not.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

My thoughts: if this student dresses as a woman, it is nobody's business about a sex change, unless the student chooses to tell people. Is he/she known to the other students, or a stranger coming into the class?

I would imagine that this has been a very difficult decision to make, and probably not the best time to go to nursing school, but if she is willing to try, let it be on her own merits, if it turns into too much to do at once, that's between the school and the student.

SnowymtnRN · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by stevielynn

I'm trying hard to voice my qualms without making people think I'm being a busybody.

Think I'll bow out of this.

steph

I think you've been very civil and just, and trying to get your point across with no problems! So don't you dare go anywhere!!!!! I don't think you're a busybody either!!!! i think the TEACHER is a busybody.