Transgender nursing student!!

Trauma Columnist · Aug 3, 2006

My take on this is - forget it. I can't believe that an instructor would even bring this up. A transgendered nurse doesn't need this spread around unless he gave specific consent. Next, she will bring up that the brunette students feel left out. Come on - surely they have more to worry about.

tookewlandy · Aug 3, 2006

we just think there may be a ethical issue for the patients in clinicals who are under the belief that they are being cared for by a male nurse.

i do not think its unethical if the person is actually undergoing physical transformation to become a male. If he/she believes that they are male and lives there life that way then his patients are being cared for by a male, just one who wasnt born one anyway.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

It seems silly that an instructor would worry themself about a students feelings of being left out. I can't even believe a student would go to an instructor with that type of complaint, you guys are in college....

As for the transgender student, I think that is something that should be left to that person to share/not share.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

So you're saying the no one made fun of this transgendered student? Unless you're a fly on the wall following him around, you don't know this. All students have a right to be free from harrassment from their fellow students. Take the instructor and the student at their word and leave it at that.

If the transgendered person is educated and providing good and proper care to me there is no ethical delimena. Transgenders are difficult to understand, but it's my understanding that he's not pretending or posing to be a male. I'll let it go at that.

I do think crying to the instructor that you feel left out of group study is a bit immature.

Almitah · Aug 4, 2006

As far as feeling like you are being treated like high school students I can sympathize. We had similar issues in my class and I found that it only got worse before it got better I am sorry to say. The fact of the matter is that some people are still in the mind set of high school students and some are just out of high school so I guess they are only acting their age. However, I found that if I minded my own business, tried to just get along with everyone, and worked hard on my studies everything worked out. Believe me this was not easy especially when we had assigned seat and other punishments but I want my license and if I have to be treated like a kid again to achieve that I will it is that important to me. Things will get better. As far as the transgender issue goes if the patients are getting the level of care they should be getting I also see no problem with it. Good luck hope everything works out.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 4, 2006

I actually started NS with a transgender female. Lived as a male until she was 18 years old. Many horrible things occured to her in her process of trying to become a female and the doctor was convicted of all kinds of horrid crimes. I never knew she was anything other than a female, it wasn't obvious.

We actually had an instructor tell us after she left school d/t personal reasons. I was shocked that our instructor actually told us these things, I don't think it was right. I think it should've been up to the student to tell us if she felt comfortable, which she didn't, that is why she left school.

As far as the issue with her treating patients, because several questioned the ethical portion of that - she lived her life as a female, she believed she was a female.............what else can be said............

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I question the nursing instructor who would reveal such personal information about a student.

Sometimes study groups just don't seem welcoming. I've had to work my way into a few study groups and I don't understand why. The more heads the better. Could just be a matter of perception however.

chelli73 · Aug 4, 2006

wait up, the student is a she transforming to a he??? whaaa?? and your nursing instructor revealed this to the class??? talk about TOO much info...and to use that as the reason of problems forming study groups??? that is way too much... :eek:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

While I question why the instructor told the class this information. I would presume the instructor had the permission of the student.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2006

I question the nursing instructor who would reveal such personal information about a student.
Sometimes study groups just don't seem welcoming. I've had to work my way into a few study groups and I don't understand why. The more heads the better. Could just be a matter of perception however.

We learned about group dynamics in Psych. There are many roles within a group and once a group is formed and normed those roles 'belong' to people. Many people don't love change so adding a new member to an already existing (especially if it is successful) study group is a change most people resist. It may not be a personal issue with the student in question, perhaps the group members are comfortable with their roles.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2006

Yeahhhhhh well I break all the rules and weasel my way in there anyway. Hehehe Then they learn I have MUCH to contribute :)

People can be such an enigma. I welcome people with open arms as long as they don't stink :lol2:

I just wanted to add that people with different lifestyles can be a lot of fun. We have much to learn from each other! The only time I didn't want to fall asleep during the ballet was when I was sitting next to a couple of men in dresses. Boy what fun that was! How I miss San Francisco! :)