Young female patients

KirbyEMT · Oct 5, 2010

Believe me. I've done hundreds of EKG's on females. If you're uncomfortable, practice maintaining privacy with the gown when doing male patients. I know it is a lot easier just to expose them, and remove the fur. I've also passed off the duty to a female, when I felt the patient might be very uncomfortable with me doing it, but at the same time, you've got to learn how to complete the task with modesty and make sure the patient is aware of that before beginning the procedure.

middleager · Nov 3, 2010

The issue of males role in nursing is very very difficult. There are a lot of similarities with the civil rights and womens sufferage. The difficult part, the only way civil rights and women rights were improved is when all segments of society stood behind the movement. Unfortunately to facilitate that process some individuals paid huge prices, some with thier lives. The only way this issue improves is if male and female nurses and male and female patients are treated the same. While it is completely understandable and even logical for males to avoid these situations, the only way it changes is if it is hit head on. And yes, some male nurses will pay a huge price for standing up for what is right. The sexism here is pretty obvious, I understand the risk for male nurses, I completely agree and applaud the sentiment that it is about patient comfort not providers, but there seems to be little recognition that that sentiment is equally applied to patients of both genders. The issue understandably is more focused around the risk to nurses and secondly comfort to female patients, and little to no recognition that there is very little concern for young males in the same position, mainly becasue the fear of suits from males is so small. It is very easy to understand why this exists, but it should also be reasonable to acknowledge the double standard against males and seek ways to change it rather than avoid it

utadahikaru · Nov 7, 2010

If its a patient under 18, then explain the procedure to the pt and guardian present. If they have a concern they will voice it. Be professional. No one is going to take away your license because a 15 year old female made a misinterpretation of your "facial expression", or says "That male nurse made me feel weird when he touched me".

If you are professional and follow procedure you have nothing to fear. Don't let people who think that Males are less trustworthy than females persuade you into being afraid. Follow standard procedure, if female standbys are normally used for females having ECG, then you should have one also.

Use your head, think "what would a male physician do in this situation". Contrary to the belief of some, the law does not state that Female Nurses, or Doctors are any more or less trust-worthy than male nurses. People that behave inappropriately, female or male/ doctors or nurses, will eventually get nailed based on patterns of complaints or egregious complaints that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you act professional and inform the patient, you have nothing to fear. Acting out of irrational fear instead of acting like a professional health care provider is exactly what those people who are biased against gender would very much like to see.

Even a female can be accused by another female and it has happened. Irrational fear does not protect anyone from litigation or criminal accusations, but making sound decisions within hospital and legal guidelines will always protect you.

If anyone tells you different, challenge them to find even one single "similar" case that the nurse lost their license. None exist.

And finally, if something absurd like that ever does happen and you happen to have a screwball supervisor that doesn't back you, look them square in the eye and say "I'm gay, and I quit, thank u very much". I'm sort of joking, but the point is, don't work for an organization or supervisor that is going to throw you under the bus anytime a patient complains. Know the people you work for, if you don't have a solid, mutually respectful, trusting relationship with them, don't wait for the bomb to go off in your face, leave now!

EduardoLugo · Nov 19, 2010

I work with a pediatric sedation team in the hospital as a care partner (it's like an ANA) and today I had a 15 year old female. I had to place ECGs on her, but I just kind of handed to a female nurse to do it. If the female nurse wasn't there to do it, should I have done it, or what should I have done? I want to be sensitive to the pt and realizing that I'm a 21 year old man, it might be embarrassing and awkward for the 15 year old woman.

You did super. Don't worry, there will always be females. :)

HM2VikingRN, RN · Nov 19, 2010

Always have a standby. I did an EKG on a female patient last week. To protect myself I:

1. Had a standby.

2. Draped her chest with a towel before I started applying electrodes.

I had a female borderline this week. She needed help dressing. (I had another nurse help her.)

Its not worth even the appearance of impropriety. Its far better to have a standby for your professional reputation and safety of you and the patient.

SPNWeezy · Jan 8, 2011

this shouldnt be about his feelings. it should be about her feelings. i think he did the right thing by avoiding the situation. clearly, he was being the patients advocate and thinking "this might embarrass her". good job. especially when considering the teenage-girl-patient. not the best patient for a male nurse.

cmgambit · Jan 9, 2011

It sounds like you guys just want to look at girls breasts; freakin perverts, I hope my daughter never has any of you guys as her nurse. No male will be in the room giving an ecg by himself without the presence of a female that's for dang sure. Why else would there be so much discussion over it. This should be the least talked about thread. And just fyi, the accurate term for "pelvic area" is perineal care. What kind of school you all going too?!?

Snwbdr · Jan 10, 2011

And just fyi, the accurate term for "pelvic area" is perineal care. What kind of school you all going too?!?

If you want to be picky about it, "pelvic area" is not the same as "perineal care"...."pelvic area" is an anatomical reference while "perineal care" references the care that is applied to said area....perhaps you might want to double check what you're saying before you go and try to correct someone else?

proudpops · Jan 10, 2011

^^^^ haha

cpl_dvldog · Feb 26, 2011

This is a UC med center, so you are wrong, they get seen by residents and student all day long.
Thats like saying they have the right to refuse a nurse based on race. There is not a differance. What you are claiming is that discrimination is o.k and legal.
The burden of proof is on the accuser.

A pt can refuse treatment by a provider and does not have to give a reason.

Discrimination is not ok, but it is a fact of life.

Innocent until proven guilty? Only on paper. Go to court and you will see how innocent everyone thinks you are. The mindset is you must have done something to be brought into court.

all4ofus, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2011

What if it were your 15 year old daughter? For the vast majority of us, the answer is as simple as that.

cmgambit · Feb 26, 2011

If you want to be picky about it, "pelvic area" is not the same as "perineal care"...."pelvic area" is an anatomical reference while "perineal care" references the care that is applied to said area....perhaps you might want to double check what you're saying before you go and try to correct someone else?

oh yeah I forgot, we are still in A&P I, not nursing school lol... Is this not a discussion about males being too afraid to administer peri care on a female? my 2nd patient was scheduled to have a lady partsl myoectomy on the intro day of my rotation, and let me Just say, she was more happy that she had someone that had the confidence and knowledge how to administer the care, rather that having someone who's sole concern is on losing their license. Her lady parts was hemmorahaging And dripping blood, but she couldn't feel anything bc of the analgesic Rx, she needed to be cleaned every 15 mins before the procedure and was npo, two walnut sized fibroids ended up being removed. In short, yes its important to protect your integrity and way you make your living, but your integrity is always protected if you are consistent with your care... this should be seen more as an opportunity to display professional attitudes you learned back in foundations. I apologize for my rudeness in my previous post nonetheless... (but still awaiting smartass response lol)