What's something you never expected as a male nurse?

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Haven't seen a new post in this subforum in months, so I thought I would kick off a new wave of discussion to help spur ideas for a presentation I have planned next month geared towards men in healthcare. What's something you never expected to run into as a male nurse? Can be something positive, negative, but preferably surprising.

Cheers,

Darth Practicus, FNP

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I started off in a LTC/STR facility as a CNA and got hired on as a nurse after I passed my boards. When I entered healthcare, I definitely did not expect to get hit on by so many elderly ladies. I imagine I must have been a bit flustered the first time it happened.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Early in my career, I worked on a hospital adult mental health unit. There were several occasions when I was told by young female patients in explicit detail what they wanted me to do to them sexually. They were inevitably bipolar and off their meds. One was a physician who had been mandated to have inpatient mental health treatment by the licensing board. When we finally got her regulated and ready for discharge, she offered me a job in her office. I politely declined, thinking to myself "There's something with a future. You may not have a license a month from now. Besides, I know your mental health history."

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

I never expected to need to take a short emotion break after a high stress situation. Had a patient who developed a post thyroidectomy hemorrhage. She was losing her airway due to compression when I was able to get the surgeon there after multiple calls. He decompressed her neck in PACU and took her back to the OR. I had to spend a few minutes alone before I could continue my shift.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
What's something you never expected to run into as a male nurse?

I was 27 years old, on my way to work as a Psych LPN when across the road walking on the sidewalk, was this extremely attractive young lady. I turned to look at her and rear-ended a car stopping to make a left hand turn.

I never expected, as a male nurse, to run into that car.

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

I never expected to cry with and for my patient. Prior to that patient, I hadn't cried in years. I'm a pretty chill dude that chillaxes every day, but that patient really touched my heart and mind. Haven't cried since then too.

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*stalking cause I like OP's username. And Davey*

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I started off in a LTC/STR facility as a CNA and got hired on as a nurse after I passed my boards. When I entered healthcare, I definitely did not expect to get hit on by so many elderly ladies. I imagine I must have been a bit flustered the first time it happened.

That's too funny because I remember in my first week of being a nurse that the same thing happened to me in a round about way. Accepted a new patient from the ED and as per the usual we would change the patient into a telemetry-compatible gown. This 80-ish year old patient just stripped before my eyes and she said "no need to look away, these puppies are what you're wife will have some day" (alluding to her sagging bosom). My jaw dropped, lol.

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I never expected to need to take a short emotion break after a high stress situation. Had a patient who developed a post thyroidectomy hemorrhage. She was losing her airway due to compression when I was able to get the surgeon there after multiple calls. He decompressed her neck in PACU and took her back to the OR. I had to spend a few minutes alone before I could continue my shift.

This is legit. Dealt with a double pediatric murder situation in the ER this past fall. 4 and 6 year old brothers shot in head by father and we received them via ambulance and they were pretty much already gone. Literally bothered me for a couple weeks with sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, etc. We deal with things that are sometimes otherworldly. Thanks for sharing!

Darth Practicus, NP

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*stalking cause I like OP's username. And Davey*

Well, thankie!

Darth Practicus, NP

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Early in my career, I worked on a hospital adult mental health unit. There were several occasions when I was told by young female patients in explicit detail what they wanted me to do to them sexually. They were inevitably bipolar and off their meds. One was a physician who had been mandated to have inpatient mental health treatment by the licensing board. When we finally got her regulated and ready for discharge, she offered me a job in her office. I politely declined, thinking to myself "There's something with a future. You may not have a license a month from now. Besides, I know your mental health history."

I think you made a strong choice there. Creepy.

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I never expected to cry with and for my patient. Prior to that patient, I hadn't cried in years. I'm a pretty chill dude that chillaxes every day, but that patient really touched my heart and mind. Haven't cried since then too.

I did hospice for a year and I had a patient I lost that really had become close. I shed quite a few tears when she passed. Sweetest lady ever. I think its great that you opened up in that way.

Darth Practicus, NP

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