So I work in a busy ER. When a male nurse has a female patient who needs a pelvic, foley or straight cath the men automatically come to us female nurses without even a conversation with the patient / family. Even if the patient is unconscious they won't even try.
On on the other hand if I have a make patient who needs and exam, foley, straight cats or STD swabs I have to do these myself. If I ask a male nurse (even the ones who just had you do a female foley) they look at me like I am not only crazy but I am being lazy and trying to get out of work and push it off onto them.
I dont understand this double standard. It has happened in every hospital I have worked in. Maybe someone could explain the thinking.. Also is their a good way to approach this with a male colleague without hurting feelings or pointing fingers.
One other thing... does this logic or thinking apply to the lesbian nurse. She she not be required to do these for the same reason the male nurse is not....?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
FiremedicMike said:
Dress it up however you like, you are excusing discriminatory behavior based on the behavior of the overwhelming minority and a fictitious culture that excuses rape.
I feel like I'm walking on egg shells every day. I have to protect myself every day. I won't start a FC on a younger woman full stop. Every time I examine a back side I pull a woman into the room to "chaperone".
I help with tons of stuff, I regularly get the abusive pts that "need a male nurse" all the charges know if nobody can start the IV they can ask me, I'll precept the new nurses if asked because their preceptor is out, I ask the charges if their doing OK when busy, etc. We don't start FC's too much on the floor but if I ask a woman to do it their always OK with it and understand.
Bottom line, I have a lot of IOU chips in my pocket, Protecting my license is where I cash them in. I wouldn't expect the female nurses to do something their uncomfortable with and as a result I'm taking a lot more abusive pts. But that's not a double standard...
toomuchbaloney
16,030 Posts
In your opinion I'm excusing discrimination.