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 ICU, psych, corrections.
To use some of your examples, if a student found out they had breast cancer and was going to need surgery and chemo, the timing might not be right for nursing school.

There is a classmate of mine in our nursing program who discovered in the beginning of the first semester that she has a VERY aggressive form of breast cancer. So much so that her physician advised her to have a double mastectomy. Both her mother and aunt had breast cancer under the age of 30 and this girl is 35. Over this winter break, she is having her double mastectomy and coming back to finish the program. There is no doubt in my mind that she will accomplish this because of her state of mind. She is determined that this is not going to stop her from getting her RN. I think it depends upon the individual how these things affect their ability to attend classes, clinicals, and be an active participant in the program. It's not up to us to decide if he/she is unable to this.

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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?

NO I would not be comfortable with this person taking care of me. Yes they are my issues and yes as a Pt I am entitled to my issues. I had shoulder length hair when I started my nursing program (I am Male) and when I saw the other male students in my class with hair as long as mine or longer I thought to myself If I were a Pt and a guy with long hair walked into my room would I feel like he was a competent nurse? My answer was NO! I cut my hair to a reasonable off the collar over the ears cut. Is this my issue Yes but looking at it from the Pts perspective I made a decsion that I would not be comefortalbe with. I worked with a nurse for a while that was male, had very long hair, wore pastels, and painted fingernails and earings, and make-up, many many Pts complained in the south (I see south Ga. on you location) men are raised with certain gender bias' and we are not all over them. Are they right or wrong that is each persons issue to themselves but they are certainly a fact of life!

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Originally posted by Mimi2RN

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.

I have never failed to spot a tranvestite most peopel can tell when a man is trying to become woman and vice versa, you honestly think Pts won't know that this person is in conflict with their birth gender?

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Originally posted by SharonMH31

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more.

The teacher wrote that she knows that the student dressed as male one day and a female the next last semester! What would give her any reason to believe that won't happen again this semester? perhaps that is all part of the process for this person gauging the reactions from gender to gender?

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Originally posted by Erin RN

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.

Nursing school is all about rules and regulation dress codes and proper shoes and hair in a respectable manner no gaudy make-up no perfume The list goes on. As far as behaviors go that will probably have to be decided on a daily basis, d3pending on what behavior is displayed and if this person dresses as a man or woman consistantly etc.

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Originally posted by fergus51

Kevin, it doesn't say this person is still being male one day and female the next. If that was a year ago and she has since made the decision to be permanently female, then who really cares?

And as far as allowing a muslim woman to choose a healthcare provider means we have to allow people to refuse care from transgendered people... well, you're wrong:). Here at least, the only reason valid to force a hospital to accomodate a patient's request is religion (not simply them being uncomfortable with the nurse). If we allowed people to choose their nurses based on comfort level we would have people who don't want men, don't want blacks, don't want foreigners, etc. Basically, we would be allowing discrimination in our hospitals. Patients can't have everything their way. This is not Burger King. You are guaranteed to receive care from a competent nurse, period.

Don't know where you live or how long you have been nursing but Facilities do pander to customers and if a person complains about not wanting a certain nurse then you can bet if at all possible that person will have a different nurse.

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I would like to apolgize for the hodge podge of posts but just wandered in late and was reading through the thread and kept finding things I wanted to reply to.

I do not want to apologize for my views however they are my own and I must live with them that is my burden and one I will have to tote.

I would just say that all men are created equal and I do think everyone has the right to pursue happiness in whatever arena they chose, but there will always be prejudice and hatred and fear of the unknown and that which is different from what one is used too. I didn't invent these things I just happen to know they exist in every little corner if the world.

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Would I feel comfortable with this person providing peri-care to me or my loved ones? Well, that decision would not be made based on the person's apparent sex. It would be based on the way the nurse presents him/herself to me/my loved ones.

I have a friend who was a transexual. I knew him as a man. He is now a woman. Would I have a problem with her taking care of me? Absolutely not, if she was competent. Likewise, I have had homosexual care givers. My labor nurse was gay. The doctor that delivered my son was gay. They were both EXCELLENT practitioners, and I would choose them again if given the opportunity. I guess I'm trying to say that in that delivery room, my heterosexual lifestyle was a deviation from THEIR norm. Did they have a problem with providing care to me, a heterosexual woman? Absolutely not.

I think it really doesn't matter what the caregivers sexuality, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, etc. is as long as they are competent and caring nurses. In fact, some of the best nursing care I've received in my life came from a man who looked like he was a homeless drug addict, but he was good to me, and that was what mattered.

Like someone else said, we as nurses don't get to choose out patients. Lord knows that even as a student I had some patients that I wish I had never laid eyes on, but I still provided competent care. That's all that matters.

Oh, and on the issue of mental stability. If this student is required to undergo a mental health evaluation, so should all of the other students in the class. To require this one student to meet additional requirements to enter nursing school is unjust.

Just my $.02. Sorry if I offended anyone.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Originally posted by CCU NRS

I would just say that all men are created equal and I do think everyone has the right to pursue happiness in whatever arena they chose, but there will always be prejudice and hatred and fear of the unknown and that which is different from what one is used too. I didn't invent these things I just happen to know they exist in every little corner if the world.

So very true. People do judge on outward appearances. I'm all for patients refusing nurses they are not comfortable with.

The one thing I'm not clear on in your posts is whether you think this person has the right to enter the nursing profession.

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Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

So very true. People do judge on outward appearances. I'm all for patients refusing nurses they are not comfortable with.

The one thing I'm not clear on in your posts is whether you think this person has the right to enter the nursing profession.

I really hate to toss my opinion in on that but here goes.

I do not think this person should be in a nursing program!

Again I will admit that the issues involved are my own that said, I don't think nursing programs are designed to help students adjust to anything but nursing care and all the rules and regulations that entails, this issue being inv0olved brings too many variables into the ring to contend with. This person should be absolutely certain which gender he intends to immulate and then do it consistantly without change and he should probably have been through all of the process and be a "complete" male or female before undertaking a career challenge such as a nursing program.

there it is my Opinion

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.

This is strictly my OPINION!! The Instructor does have rights. It could very well be against her religion. How can she justify, teacching someone whom she knows is living in sin? Doesn't that violate her beliefs?

Why must every one tell everything about themselves? When did it become appropriate to tell EVERYONE about their sexual orientation?? I have absolutely NO problem with people being homosexual, transgendered, transvestied, etc as long as they keep it to themselves!!

I don't tell anyone what my sex live is like because it is NONE of their business.

ISMT that when someone comes 'out of the closet' thatey are trying to draw attention to themselves, as if they are special humans. They are not special, but they are human!!

My daughter had a homosexual friend who insists that everybody cater to him, because he is different!! Unfortunately, this kid is also a liar and a thief!! I have told her that she can not judge all homosexuals by this one person. Not all homosexuals are liars and thieves. Just this one.

Would I have a problem with transgender or homosexual nurses? No, I don't think I would. A female doctor delivered my daughter and a Muslim Male doctor delivered all 3 of my boys!!

All I am asking is why must people outside the norms of society try to push their crap [whatever it is] down our throats?

I am a Christian and sexual conduct outside the realm of 'normal' as set up by God [to me] is wrong!! Yet no one thinks that Christians have rights. All I hear is I am homophobic, and all kinds of hate spews out of people's mouths when I mention that I am a Christian.

Am I not being discriminated against, because I believe in Someone higher that me?

I do not mean any insults. I am just stating my opinion!! I have my flame suit on.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Coming to the post a little late, but just saw it.

First, it's clear the original poster has serious prob's with the nurse involved. As such, from the get-go, their relationship as sup / employee, for sure, will be comprised and difficult.

Presuming the nurse is competent, aware, sensitive and now centered with respect to her sexuality, think she's gotta realize that some patients / residents / clients / workplaces / etc. are gonna be more accomodating and acceptable, and that others are aren't.

The solution lies in finding the best work situation -- one where the nurse will have the greatest opportunity to practice most effectively. This is difficult for many nurses typically, but for this nurse it'll be a major challenge. She needs as much assistance as she can get from family, friends, school, counselors, peers, a competent agency, the right employer, co-workers ...basically, everyone willing to help.

Again, considering the personal characteristics mentioned above, she's likely to have a lot of unique talents / understanding, and could be an asset in the right spot.

This whole deal is situational.

(BTW, couldn't help but notice a lot a prejudice while perusing the thread.)

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