Would You Prefer a Male Nurse?

dnp2004 · May 24, 2009

To me it is all about the care I receive the, gender, race, height, nationality, etc. is irrelevant.

smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN · May 25, 2009

wow, most men i know dont want another male anywhere near their privates unless they wanted to talk about erectile dysfunction. Im probably uninvited but i hate male doctors and nurses unless i had to be lifted up or something. I had a male gyno (since my doc was out) and he made me take an exam. i almost had him fired! I realize when it comes to men alot of times they dont know how to stay professional. I want you to do your job, not flirt, listen to the patient and pay attention to details (what may seem liek nothing and actually be a clue to something bigger). I also think women know the problems and feelings of women.

ZanatuBelmont · May 25, 2009

wow, most men i know dont want another male anywhere near their privates unless they wanted to talk about erectile dysfunction. Im probably uninvited but i hate male doctors and nurses unless i had to be lifted up or something. I had a male gyno (since my doc was out) and he made me take an exam. i almost had him fired! I realize when it comes to men alot of times they dont know how to stay professional. I want you to do your job, not flirt, listen to the patient and pay attention to details (what may seem liek nothing and actually be a clue to something bigger). I also think women know the problems and feelings of women.

You don't spend 12 years specializing in an area as a doctor just to come away not knowing the problems or "feelings" that a woman faces medically, be it a female or male provider.

I found your views to be rather sexist.

HeyJude · May 25, 2009

i hate male doctors and nurses unless i had to be lifted up or something.

You hate male doctors and nurses? Without even knowing them? You certainly can ask for the caregiver you want, but to say you hate someone just because they are male? I don't understand.

I realize when it comes to men alot of times they dont know how to stay professional.

On what are you basing this? I have never ever had this experience, not for myself nor with my loved ones who have needed medical care.

I want you to do your job, not flirt, listen to the patient and pay attention to details (what may seem liek nothing and actually be a clue to something bigger).

You are assuming that just because someone is a male, they are going to be flirting with you or staring at your boobs instead of listening? I'm not flaming you - just genuinely asking a question because I want to understand what you mean. I've had to catheterize men, and swab their memberes for gonorrhea/chlamydia, and there was never the first inkling of anything sexual about it. Why would/should it be any different when the roles are reversed? Does anyone honestly think all men are such pigs? None of the men who are important in my life are.

I know many male nurses that I'd ask for any day over some female nurses that I know....but it has nothing to do with their gender, and everything to do with their knowledge, caring, and bedside manner.

HelenofOz · May 25, 2009

So many issues, so many answers

Here are my thoughts, as a female nurse.

The gentleman I catheterised for retention was about 10 years older than me, and grateful for the result, as was I. Neither of us had any other thoughts apart from resolving his pain as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As I work in PACU now I don't often have the problem, but if a male patient needs to void I would rather get the male staff to help him, for the patients peace of mind as well as mine-at my age (55) there are some things I don't need to be doing!!! And as for genitals and breasts-they are wound sites to be assessed, or areas of skin to be covered ASAP so the patient doesn't get cold. They have to be exceptionally unusual to be noticed any other way!

I recently had an LAVH, there was a few times I could have been uncomfortable with the people giving my care, given that it was in the hospital I work in, so some were workmates and some were friends, but, at all times I was treated with kindness & professionalism by female nurses & doctors, male nurses & doctors, and our transgender nurse who is halfway through treatment (are they a he or a she, I don't need to know-just be a good nurse). The funniest moment was the formal male nurse who called me Mrs--- (the only one who did) and then madame in a very English voice, and then asked about (whisper it) lady partsl discharge, whereupon we both laughed at the thought of just how you bring that up in everyday conversation.

And as an aside, for those males patients who prefer male nurses, what if the male nurse is an obviously 'gay' male nurse, does that change anything? (No bias here-my motto is be a good nurse and be good fun/easy to get on with-after that I don't care what you do)

There is a job to be done, do it professionally and move on.

smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN · May 25, 2009

You hate male doctors and nurses? Without even knowing them? You certainly can ask for the caregiver you want, but to say you hate someone just because they are male? I don't understand.
On what are you basing this? I have never ever had this experience, not for myself nor with my loved ones who have needed medical care.
You are assuming that just because someone is a male, they are going to be flirting with you or staring at your boobs instead of listening? I'm not flaming you - just genuinely asking a question because I want to understand what you mean. I've had to catheterize men, and swab their memberes for gonorrhea/chlamydia, and there was never the first inkling of anything sexual about it. Why would/should it be any different when the roles are reversed? Does anyone honestly think all men are such pigs? None of the men who are important in my life are.
I know many male nurses that I'd ask for any day over some female nurses that I know....but it has nothing to do with their gender, and everything to do with their knowledge, caring, and bedside manner.

i have experience with both male nurses, dental assistants and doctors as well as female. what you think at 22 yrs of age i have never had one attend to me? From my experience i'd rather female nurses,assistants and doctors. All my problems with males in the medical field are listed above and i have encountered every single issue i listed, im not pulling this out of thin air. Also if this were an issue this wouldnt be a topic. ITS WHAT I PREFER and why, its not going to change.

smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN · May 25, 2009

You don't spend 12 years specializing in an area as a doctor just to come away not knowing the problems or "feelings" that a woman faces medically, be it a female or male provider.
I found your views to be rather sexist.

They can be sexist and when it comes to my provider I know what i want. I have had experiences with both and in my opinion women providers listen more where as the males ive encountered just want to write you a prescription and get you out of the office as quick as possible and thats with medical,pediatric and gyn. On top of that you have no idea really what feelings a women may have first hand bc guess what, youre not one.

smc5127, BSN, CNA, RN · May 25, 2009

Also for all the men that I know that only want female providers.... that's sexist too but then again they get a pass on that right? You guys are funny.

Koala33 · May 25, 2009

I don't care about the sex of the individual, as long as the care delivered is professional, competent, and sympathetic to my needs. I can name health care professionals of both sexes that have delivered great quality care to me when I have needed it, and I can name health care professionals of both sexes that have delivered awful care to me.

HelenofOz · May 26, 2009

It would kind be both. Just from my experience alot of our younger nursing female students are very embarrased performing certain care on males. They do it, but they are noticably uncomfortable.

OK, but I was a female patient and the younger female nursing student was noticeably uncomfortable performing a procedure on me, and that was before she knew I was a nurse. The poor things are petrified of everybody, and until they get the experience, both nursing and life, they will always be uncomfortable. It doesn't help them gain confidence if they are not treated as the competent professional that we want them to become in their futures.

awhitt001 · May 26, 2009

I feel the same way.. it depends on the situation. If I had to have my member and scrotum handled or assisted to the restroom, I'd much rather have a male nurse. For general care, though, I wouldn't mind a female.
I know, I know, it shouldn't matter since nurses are supposed to be professionals, but yeah.
As for doctors... for some reason I don't care if it is a male or female.

I'm just the opposite. After two separate HORRIBLE experiences with male GYNs, I will never agree to a male GYN again. I even refused a male OB and made quite a scene when they tried to send one in at the last minute when my daughter was born. However, I don't think twice about any other male medical professionals (doc's, nurses, techs, etc.). The wierd thing is, even when I consider having a cath put in by a male nurse that doesn't bother me, just male GYNs (and OBs). Go figure !!

ZanatuBelmont · May 26, 2009

Also for all the men that I know that only want female providers.... that's sexist too but then again they get a pass on that right? You guys are funny.

I wasn't referring to your not preferring a male provider as sexist in nature. I was not even offended by your blatant rejection of all male providers. I was, however, offended because you implied most men are overly sexual pigs. Perhaps you did not mean to come off that way, but you did to me. Thanks for the stereotype. In the future, you should handle this topic gently. Instead of implying a male will always look at your breasts, say, "In my personal, subjective experience...."