What do the male nurses do to prevent sexual assault accusations?

[SkySoldier]

I am a nursing student about to graduate in 3 months and I keep running into nurses who are scarying the crap out of me about being a male nurse. I am getting the feeling that women patients seem to feel more comfortable with male docs but not male nurses for some reason. I have had another run in with an ICU nurse today while visiting a family member who told me this horror story about an EKG tech she had worked with for over ten years being accused and fired over a supposed fondling while placing an electrode. She told me to be extremely careful and plan on a second career because she wouldn't be supprised if at some point some patient successfully sues me for assault. I am tired of hearing this kind of stuff. Is this really that big of a concern for male nurses? And if so what what do I need to do to avoid it?

I have already start performing my assessments differently such as not placing a stethoscope in a gown to listen to lungs/heart sounds. I bought a high end scope so I could try and listen through gowns, but I feel that at some point it will affect the care I give because I am so paranoid I am going to run into someone who misinterprets something I do or is just out to get paid. While in the Army, I had to have a chaparone while working with female patients but I doubt that is not an option in an ED or ICU where I want to work. Any advice?

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

This is true. I was in the room assisting a NP (woman) with a vag exam and the woman starting screaming "you touched me inappropriately" What a crock. Since there was 2 of us in there the woman did not get very far.

[NIGHTWOLF87]

when i was working the med/oncology floor, i always had a cna with me whenever i needed to assess a female patient. or, if worse came to worse, i would have a female colleague do the assessment for me. however, i never had problem with being a male nurse and having female patients.

if you are seriously considering a career in critical care, and are want to rid yourself of worries about accused of sexual harrassment or assault, i would suggest trying out the nicu. we have a former soldier working here, and he is a damn good nurse. at least it's an option to consider.

best of luck with your new career!

[systoly]

I believe what has helped me is a constant awareness that I am at work. What I mean is I don't tell inappropriate jokes, when coworkers strike up a conversation that is R rated I exit the area (and believe me males do not have the monopoly on crudeness and explicit conversation), I don't touch my coworkers and if touched I explain that I prefer not to be touched (females will put their arm around you and act like it's nothing), I don't wear after shave or cologne to work (and still a female coworker told me I smelled good), when female coworkers use the excuse they need a man's opinion in order to involve me in inappropriate conversation I tell them to consult their husband, boyfriend, brother, but not me. In a nutshell, do anything you can to portrait a strictly business picture and everybody will know you're there to work and nothing else and any false accusation will have a hard time taking root. Of course follow the suggestions of other posters and always treat your clients in a professional manner.

[shodobe]

Never had any problems with female patients. never has ever crossed my mind. Working in surgery patients sometimes have no choice in who is really in their room, especially if it is on call in the middle of the night. Common sense should always prevail. There is always a female nurse, aide or whoever close at hand if i would ever need one. Being professional and showing the patient you know your stuff usually takes care of jitters. I have great rapport with my patients and set them at ease before going into the room. I have never been asked by the patient tthey would rather have a female nurse. Never! Confidence in yourself and your skills is a key to overcoming any problems.

[azhiker96, BSN, RN]

I've never had a problem. Just use common sense.

Sometimes you will want to have a female coworker do a procedure. (checking perineal dressing on 14yr female, think psycosocial development and issues)

I always get a female tech to assist for foley insertion.

In general, I always tell my patient what needs to be done and why. Keep them informed which removes doubts as to your intent. For example, I'll tell a lap chole that I need to look at the bandages on her tummy. Then I bring the blankets to her waistline and gently bring the gown up so that only her abdomen is exposed. I'll usually count out loud, "One, two, three, four little pokes. Clean and dry. Thank you." Then I put her gown back down and pull the blankets up. I've used this technique for breast bx, and evaluating peripads after vag hysters. Never had a problem.

That said, if you ever get a weird vibe, get a female friend to assist or do the procedure for you. I've helped other nurses's male patients with urinals and foleys to pay forward and back for their help with my patients.

[Mr.RN-CDE]

"and believe me males do not have the monopoly on crudeness and explicit conversation"

You got that right. I have at times found a double standard. One night "the girls" at the nursing station had a birthday party for a co-worker. She got a male nudie calendar, a phallic shaped lollipop, etc... Now if I had done something similar for the male CNA that I worked with, they would have been offended....

[MN BigJ]

Being in ER I have never had anything like this happen to me. Be respectful of the pt, tell them what you are going to do and what it involves. If you have to get a female nurse for caths or things of that nature do so.

I do have to say, I have had some pt's that tried to be a little to friendly with me, opening their shirts, dropping thier pants, what have you, for those situations I say, "disrobing at this time is not nescesary and for any more procedures with this person I have a female present.

[november17, ASN, RN]

I did actually have this happen to me one time when I was a tech at a nursing home; There was a patient that gave a nurse my description and said I went into her room and kissed her. Oddly, I had been off all that week, so it certainly wasn't me. Not only that but I did not work and was very rarely even in the wing where the pt was. It was never a huge issue or anything, but you never really know what kind of stuff can fly out of the blue at you.

[ptjones68]

I just started working as an RN (yeay). Always trust your instinct. If it doesn't feel right, seem, right, look right, then it isn't right. There was one instance when I needed to place a straight catheter in a femal patient. Upon assessing the patient, I felt uncomfortable doing it. I went to the charge nurse and explained that, while I was certainly willing to do this, I was uncomfortable with this particular female patient and either needed a female witness or would trade a similar task with another nurse. Turns out, I was asked to do a straight cath for a male patient and a femal nurse did it for my female patient. WIN WIN.

If you are uncomfortable, you may also ask the patient directly if they are comfortable that a male nurse do it, or if they prefer a female do it. This way, it provides the patient with a level of control (which they already don't feel they have) and provides them with the dignity they deserve. Also, they appreciate that you are considering their feelings.

Don't forget, we are their for the patient. It is all about them. Anything we can do to give them a positive experience in a "not-so-positive" situation is a plus for you, the hospital, and to their overall recovery experience.

Good luck

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Do yourself a favor and have a witness. Period. Always ask the patient if it is okay if you perform this particular procedure. Then, have someone with you and that person should be a female. It does not necessarily need to be another nurse. The unit secretary or other females can stand at the bedside to witness. When I am dealing with a male patient and I have to place a foley I always ask them if it is okay for me to do this procedure of if they would rather have a female. Usually they don't care one way or the other. I think it is easier for females because nursing has always been a "female" profession so patients know that they will be touched and cared for by a female. But it is still harder for men.

[leemacaz]

Diane, You seem secure in yourself and with a patient making choices..thanks...

I am curous how you handle the situations when a male asks for a male provider but one is not available...

[sag35654]

i have worked in small hospitals. as a rule of thumb, if the pt indicated she was uncomfortable i would get a famale rn to assist or do the particular item of care. right now i am in the middle of a nightmare. protect yourself and your license. offer to handle foley placement on male pt's of your female coworkers in exchange for their help with female pt's. the stress and mental anguish are terrible. as a nurse i am sure that u have seen enough anatomy that u coild care less about seeing anymore, but a jury feel the same way??? to use a crude anacromym, "cya".