Will I need a female RN with me every time????

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello future male RN here, and I just wanted to know if I am assigned a female p.t. will I need a female RN with me every time I do a cath or wipe their a**?? With all the crazy suit happy idiots out there I can see where someone would try to pull that on me for no other reason then just because im a guy. I would imagine if I had to get a female nurse to witness every time im working on a female p.t. the staff would get annoyed with me quickly. I have talked to a lot of guys about why they don't want to be nurses, and the number one response is "I don't want to be sued."

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Check out this thread found in the Male Nursing Student forum:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f213/interesting-facts-observations-200506.html

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Perinatal, Float.

To answer your specific question: no, you don't need a female nurse with you when you give a female pt personal care.

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To answer your specific question: no, you don't need a female nurse with you when you give a female pt personal care.

So whats to stop them from accusing me of things if there is no witness? Its the accusation that destroys you not the act. I never herd of a male p.t. accusing a female RN of anything.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.
So whats to stop them from accusing me of things if there is no witness? Its the accusation that destroys you not the act. I never herd of a male p.t. accusing a female RN of anything.

We have lots of great nurses in our unit that are male. Some of them will ask us to help, some won't. I have never seen one of them have a problem getting a female nurse to help. I have asked my male counterparts to give cath care to alert men before (we don't have alert people in my unit as a general rule). In my opinion the best way to approach it would be...."Hey, female nurse/tech name here, would you help me do cath care on my patient. She is alert and oriented. then I will help you clean/turn/bath your patient. Or we have switched baths before. Nothing can protect you from crazy patients. We have had female pts accuse female nurses of innappropriate conduct. So for a while we only gave baths in pairs of two. Sometimes we have a tech that can help. Or you could say, if you help with my bath, i'll help with yours.....

Just DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT.

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Specializes in Lie detection.
so whats to stop them from accusing me of things if there is no witness? its the accusation that destroys you not the act. i never herd of a male p.t. accusing a female rn of anything.

and you've heard of many female pt's accusing male nurses of things? because i haven't.

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and you've heard of many female pt's accusing male nurses of things? because i haven't.

yep just a few days ago to one to the trauma nurses

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

We have many male RNs in our ER. We all help each other out. It works out even in the long run. The guys I work with know that I want them to be careful and come get me or one of the other female nurses if there is any doubt. As a guy I do feel you have to be more vigilant. And yes, I have had crazy females say I was improper with them. But when further interogated they give up the ploy.

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Specializes in Lie detection.
yep just a few days ago to one to the trauma nurses

you have lots of negative things going on at your hospital. is there a better one you'd like to work at when you graduate?

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[color=#483d8b]and was this accusation taken seriously? did the nurse get in trouble? written up? what was the follow up?

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

As a male nurse I am cautious to expose my client, especially if it is unnecessary during physical assessment. I keep them covered up, even if they tell me they have no quams about exposing themselves to me, I just find it helpful to have them covered, even the male pts. I will ask a patient prior to foley catherization if she's is comfortable with me doing the task; if not I will kindly ask a female nurse to help me. And if I can manage it I will have a female CNA present during catherization...that's the ticket! Anyway, good luck with your future!

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

When i was working as a CNA the male CNA always asked before giving care to a female and if there was any doubt about i would trade with them a bath for a bath or what ever the task was, I didnt mind one bit if they were doing something for me, just working together :)

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

We "always" if possible asked a male nurse to cath a male patient and visa versa. We occasionally had female patients who requested a female nurse or tech only and we always complied. I personally would not want a male nurse to cath me if there was a female available. If not, I'd just have to deal with it knowing he is a professional nurse. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

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