Transgender Nursing Student

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

It seems to me that before I would jeopardize my place in a school, I would talk to the counselor that you are working with regarding the transgender change. Some years ago we worked with a male doctor who had surgery and became female, so he must have been able to get documents changed over OK. The next place I would go would be the state board of nursing and ask them how they deal with this because it seems to me that this is a legal issue. A lawyer would probably be the appropriate person to be asking about this. They deal with names changes and that kind of stuff. With the new same sex marriage laws now they are going to have to sort out that stuff too. I would leave the school out of it. Once you have your formal education and license, that can't be taken away.

Transgender_n_TN · Jul 23, 2008

I'm not sure if this is correct, but i've been told that once you get a legal name change your degrees don't matter. Because legally they were obtained under another name. :rolleyes:

And I'm in the process of seeking legal counsel. The name change I can handle myself, the rest I need some help on. And my college does have a counselor, and everything discussed with her is supposed to be private and confidential. I might be making a mountain out of mole hill, but I want to make sure I can finish what I started. :typing

GGT1 · Jul 23, 2008

I believe someone gave you the wrong information regarding the "legal name change" and that a degree would not "matter". Women have name changes ALL THE TIME and their degrees still "matter".

The only question I have for you is, why not wait until after nursing school. I really think you will have a rough time going through those changes and all the drama that comes with it while in nursing school. Not to mention... a private christian school????? Sounds like you are trying to make life difficult for yourself?

rnmomtobe2010 · Jul 23, 2008

I am not judging, but I am at a lost for words on this one...I hope all goes well with you, though...

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

look, i know you are eager to get on with a new life, but confession isn't the way to do it. i don't have a real good opinion of most religions and i come from a catholic background and have a bunch of cousins who are nuns and priests. i know the inside hypocrisy. i'm serious. just clam up with regard to the school. go to school as "joe" and say nothing about even getting this surgery because if the religious leaders of the place get wind of it you may very well find yourself thrown out for moral reasons on their part and you don't want that, do you? just work with your counselor and consult a lawyer, dummy up, and after you graduate, "joe" becomes "josephine" and there's nothing the school can do about it then. save all your records and make copies just in case they say they lost your transcripts just to be difficult.

we would like to think that we live in a wonderful world, but you never know where bigotry is lurking, so protect yourself. religion doesn't exempt people from bias or breaking the law. we americans love a good fight, but i have to tell you that those fights are tiring and take a lot out of you. try anonymity first.

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

Right now I wouldn't worry about the school as much as I'd worry about making two huge life changes at once. It sounds like it would be a lot of stress to me.

However, I must say do what is best for you right now. If you think you can and need to go through both changes right now do it! You need to take care of yourself.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 23, 2008

Hi and welcome to our group,

It is a lot on your plate at once so definitely make sure there isn't an easier way to accomplish your goals. There was a transgender CNA student at my CC one year but I have no clue how difficult it might have been for her. We were in a fairly progressive city also which I'm sure helped.

Would you be able to change your name before school and start dressing/living as female during school as you undergo the process? Depending on your appearance I'm thinking you might be able to just fly under the radar and not even have to address the issue with them. I would also wounder about the emotional effects of taking hormones while under the extreme stress of nursing school. Just PMS alone was enough to do me in each month, lol. Wishing you all the best. Jules

Transgender_n_TN · Jul 23, 2008

GGT1...no, I didn't have much choice in what school I went to. I was accepted to another college, a 2 year program and it does not do loans. And I don't qualify for grants, my salary is above the requirement. Another factor in choosing this college is it's proximity to my house and work. They are both literally within a 15 to 20 minute walk from my house. The 2 year program is like a 5 minute walk from my house, but it does me no good when I make too much to pay for it. And my school is one of the best nursing programs in the city.

I wasn't trying to add extra confusion to my life.

Daytonite...I'm not is THAT much of rush to transition, but this is something I've been putting off for many years now. And I know that being in a Christian private college is asking for trouble. I also fully understand taking on clinicals and transitioning at the same time, I have a friend who did it.

I'm not discouraged, but I am glad that i'm getting positive responses.

I don't know who mentioned that women get name changes all the time, but it's a bit different when you are getting name and gender changed on records. Most places will not change your gender unless you've had full SRS. I'm unsure at this point if I want to go that far, nor really see the need to take it that far.

Brycemom, RN · Jul 23, 2008

I agree that nursing school is a stressful situation and I also agree with the rest who have advised you to wait until after you graduate to make such a major change. I am not passing judgement on you either, but have you considered how making this change would affect you at school being that it's a christian school and all. Since that is the life choice you are choosing to make then I feel you should tackle one issue at a time, first school and then a new you or vice versa, which ever is your top priority. Yes it would be nice if the world could accept these kinds of changes without any problems but we are not all there yet. I wish you the best in school because we need good nurses, whether male, female and I hope you can join the ranks (as I hope to soon) of being a GOOD nurse

Transgender_n_TN · Jul 23, 2008

Jules, i'm already on hormones and have been under hormone therapy for over a year. There is no change in my emotional stability at this time. I started hormone therapy about the time I started school.

I start clinicals Fall '09, and I might lower the dosage during that time. As far as appearance, it is very feminine and passable. It doesn't help that i'm also African American, in a Southern city.

Jaguar Boy · Jul 23, 2008

I don't know who mentioned that women get name changes all the time, but it's a bit different when you are getting name and gender changed on records. Most places will not change your gender unless you've had full SRS. I'm unsure at this point if I want to go that far, nor really see the need to take it that far.

I don't really have any concrete advice to add, but I did want to express my support for all of your future goals. Nursing school is challenging, no doubt, but I've read about single parents, new parents, people going through divorce and separation...i.e. BIG changes, during nursing school and making it to the finish line. I guess one just does their best...

Do you have a transgender supportive community around you? Are there other transgender individuals who might be able to help you with the more practical aspects of the transition?

Private Christian...whew...best of luck!

It might be worth checking into the whole legal gender change thing. I recently came across information relating to changing gender on a Driver's License up here and it did not require surgery, just specific legal documentation from a physician. It may be different where you are, but always worth checking into. I guess your concern is that you've applied as one gender, but will be attending school as another...

Again, I wish you well!:)