Would You Prefer a Male Nurse?

[djc1981]

hey guys. since most of us here are nursing students, i was just curious...would you guys prefer a male nurse over a female nurse in general? i know it doesn't matter as long as they did their job compentently...but if given the choice, what would you choose? i personally don't mind for most things, but i sure was glad to have a male nurse when i had to have a mole on my scrotum checked so for me it just depends on the situation i suppose. thoughts?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Most people think I'm a teenager thats probably why they play the mothering role to me. But what is so crazy I even had a male doctor play the religious card to me.

There are plenty of idiots out there to go around, always someone trying to change or convert people.... :)

[Laurab14]

Reading all these posts have really made me think about the question. I really wouldn't have a problem with a male nurse, however I live in a very small area, and wouldn't want any male that I knew. I am pretty modest, and would rather not have that thought in my head next time I saw them. I also hate to be vulnerable (like most nurses) and when giving birth to my twins, I hated for my fellow nurses(female) thinking I was weak.

If something needed done to me I will go to the big city.

Laura RN

[SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN]

interesting thread!

that being said, i don't really care one way or the other (unless i personally know &/or work with a male nurse & they're privy to my medical record/personal body parts). but if my life depended on it...i really couldn't care less!

cheers :cheers:,

moe

[wymnwise]

Interesting thread. I have been accused of being irrational, and much worse for having a same sex preference as a woman patient. Male nurses have gone on and on about how it offends them and their professionalism. Yet, here a number of men have a preference one way or the other. Research has also been done on adolescent males fyi who prefer males for intimate exams and procedures, and suggested that the best way to get them to keep appointments is to accommodate that sensitivity as a group, rather than putting them on the spot. Just interesting that there seems to be less opposition to males requesting male care than females requesting female care. Some male nurses have even gone so far as to suggest that it is discrimination and that patients should not be given a choice, even if same sex nurses are available. In the case of the adolescent males that discouraged them from accessing medical care.

[leemacaz]

Interesting thread. I have been accused of being irrational, and much worse for having a same sex preference as a woman patient. Male nurses have gone on and on about how it offends them and their professionalism. Yet, here a number of men have a preference one way or the other. Research has also been done on adolescent males fyi who prefer males for intimate exams and procedures, and suggested that the best way to get them to keep appointments is to accommodate that sensitivity as a group, rather than putting them on the spot. Just interesting that there seems to be less opposition to males requesting male care than females requesting female care. Some male nurses have even gone so far as to suggest that it is discrimination and that patients should not be given a choice, even if same sex nurses are available. In the case of the adolescent males that discouraged them from accessing medical care.

Interesting.....the exact same feelings have been expressed by many males as well....they feel they get put down for asking for same sex care providers....(find a urologist with male nurses if ya can)...and some males have experienced irate female nurses when they asked...maybe there are folks of both sexes who would, for their own reasons, prefer same sex care givers..and appreciate not getting grief or insults for asking.

[wymnwise]

Interesting.....the exact same feelings have been expressed by many males as well....they feel they get put down for asking for same sex care providers....(find a urologist with male nurses if ya can)...and some males have experienced irate female nurses when they asked...maybe there are folks of both sexes who would, for their own reasons, prefer same sex care givers..and appreciate not getting grief or insults for asking.

Well said.

[hayven1]

Doesn't bother me...I see them both as professionals.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I have been a nurse for 30 years and have worked in all different areas of nursing. As a patient I really have no preference regarding the sex of my caregiver. However, unless it is an emergency, I would prefer to have a foley placed by a female unless the male had someone with him during the procedure. I am a female nurse.

[glimpses]

Either gender is fine okay, as long as they are competent and caring. In general, I have found many male nurses provide as good as (and some even better) nursing care as female nurses do. And certain male nurses have "gentler hands," as one of the posters above mentioned, and more compassionate care then some female nurses.

[Jagten]

The only time I ever thought about the sex of my nurse was when I had broken both arms and wrists in an accident and needed help going to the bathroom. I must say they were the most caring and sensitive people ever and only did what needed to be done. I have been in hospitals a lot and like the OP said as long as they are professional it has never mattered. I will note that the least painful shot I have ever gotten was given by a male nurse. I still remember that to this day and it was almost 20 years ago. Yes I used to have a big problem with getting poked, I seem to have gotten over it now :)

[ImMrBill3, RN]

I think this question deserves some consideration from a sociological/feminist angle (I am male BTW). In the past doctors were almost exclusively male and women were excluded (the reverse was mostly true in nursing). Would it be right that women be excluded from being doctors because of a societal prejudice against women as doctors? :spbox: Taking it to the next step is a health care facility obligated to hire a woman so that female patients can receive care from a woman? From there should health care facilities be required to have the same gender ratio among staff as among patients?

I worked as a CNA at a LTC facility where there was an male resident who refused care from males and regularly harassed the females when receiving his shower.

That said for a personal preference I prefer to have female nurses care for me, but as has been said, "As long as they don't kill me, I don't care."

I have had experience needing catheterization for kidney stones and I got over the embarrassment instantly and told the other race, other gender nurse who explained that a Dr was not available for several hours, "Please, do whatever you can for me." She was gentle, competent and professional. I am still grateful.:redbeathe

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Well since other girls answered I guess I can too. For me it doesn't really matter, although long long ago I had a laproscopy, 2 of them actually, the second time when I came to my gown was on backwards, it was than I realized I had been de-clothed when I was under for my surgery. This was at naval hospital where most of the staff were males (in my expierience) and some were some rather hot looking male nurses. I was MORTIFIED! In my head I guess they were able to magically preform my surgery without me being naked and so exposed. If I had to go in to have a colonoscopy I think I rather have females.

Maybe it's wrong for me to say I really don't want male nurses that I think are good looking to be working on my rearend or if I had some strang lady partsl odor or something like that, but it is what it is. I know they see stuff like that all the time but it doesn't make it any less embarassing for me. I didn't mind when I had male nurses in my labors and stuff. But anyway that is my prefereance on it all.