Male vs. Female Nurses

[Keli]

Not having ever been hospitalized except for the delivery of my dd (all female nurses, ob/gyn was male) I'm not sure I can think of all the reasons I might have a preference but off the top of my head I don't think I would care either way.

 

[delilah]

I prefer a female for any OB/GYN issues, otherwise I am ok with either sex.

This reminds me of what happened to my best friend. She had just given birth to her first child and was half asleep in her hospital room. A HUGE guy, about 6'4" 300 lbs, walked into her room and said in a loud, booming, deep voice "Can I check your episiotomy????" She had no clue who he was, he had no nametag or badge on so she said no. It turns out he WAS a nurse, but it really freaked her out. He did get in trouble for not wearing his nametag if I remember correctly.

I'll bet a 6'4" L&D nurse would come in real handy in the birthing suite, to apply "fundal pressure", for those moms to be who are tired of pushing. When I was a resident, our attending for OB fit that description, and there were times that petite little me appreciated the "fundal pressure" when delivering a baby.

 

[poohandwendy]

Gender does not factor in when I think about health care. I am not more or less uncomfortable with either gender.

Incidentally, I had 2 male ob/gyns and 1 female when delivering my three children. I actually preferred the two male doctors over the female, but that was because of their personalities and it was not based on anything gender specific. My experiences did not leave me with the impression that males were better and I would go to another female gyn in a heartbeat if I was switching doctors and heard that she was recommended.

 

[Becky2005]

I don't think I would care except maybe in the OB/GYN department. I have female OB's -- except my 2nd son was delivered by a male doctor since he & my doctor switched for who was on call. Each had their own practice though.

That was different, first time I ever met the guy and I'm pushing out the baby! LOL! I haven't the slightest idea what he looked like or anything because that was my 45 minutes after getting to the hospital delivery -- I wouldn't have cared who was there as long as someone was there catching the baby! All I know is he was a fisherman and the first thing he said when he saw me was something to the effect of I look big & guessed the weight of the baby exactly before he was born to the ounce. I thought that was good for being the first & only time he ever saw me!

Our primary doctor is a male.

The only male nurse I ever ran into was so dimwitted that I'm fairly sure I wouldn't want him caring for me. It was in the ER when my oldest was little and sick with Rotovirus. He went to get juice from the nursery to see if she would hold it down and didn't come back to over 30 minutes. He told us he got lost (this isn't a big hospital -- *I* knew where the nursery was from the ER room and I could have been there & back in less than 5 minutes!). Otherwise I probably wouldn't have a problem but I've only been admitted for births (thankfully). My DD was admitted with the Rotovirus but we didn't see any other male nurses during our stay.

 

[Beth76]

I prefer female doctors. My ob/gyn, general prac, and ped (although she's not my doctor) are all female. My first son however, was delivered by a male doctor because he was on call that night. As far as nurses, I wouldn't mind a male except during labor and delivery, but I don't have to worry about that anymore.

 

[Feralpeg]

The male nurse who cared for me after my mastectomy was the best nurse I've ever had and believe me, I've been cared for by a lot. He was so nice and he took the time to sit with me and explain things that not even my doctor had covered. As if that wasn't enough, he'd bring me a Diet Coke every night when he came on shift because I'd mentioned to him that I was having withdrawal. I'd asked the day nurses and they'd just ignored me.

 

[preshi]

I've attempted to post to this 3 times now and my computer wont let me. All I said was as a female I prefer having all male doctors. I tried having a female general phys. recently and she was extremely rude and unhelpful. I will not make that mistake again. On the other hand having just gone through a trip to the ER and surgery I had both male and female nurses every one of them was amazing and friendly and upbeat.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't care, but am a nurse and know that nurses see thousands of people's personal areas and don't give a hoot about stuff like that.

 

[TiggerStac]

I have a female PCP, OB and infertility DR.. Most of my other doctors are males, allergist, gastro, ortho (many who I haven't had to see in years, thank goodness) Even when I was in Rehab post ortho surgery I was more comfortable w/females. I just feel more comfortable speaking w/a woman, I am shy and quite. If it is an emergency and there is something going on, I don't care either way, as long as they are competent. I get a little anxious at first, hoping for female, but if not...oh well.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I just want the doctor or nurse who is more experienced and is the best qualified to take care of any or all of my medical needs. I could care less about their gender.


When I worked in a psychiatric unit while in the Air Force I was grateful that we had great male nurses who helped put psychotic patients in 4 point restraints.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I genuinely don't have a preference for most anything as far as that's concerned except for one area. I would rather see a female for gyn exams, only for the reason that, while I feel male doctors are completely competent with the physical aspect of that, they can't know what feelings or emotions come with characteristics that are strictly female.

Kimya

 

[wide awake]

I don't care about the gender of a nurse, but I always pick a caucasion male for a doctor. With reverse discrimination I figure they had to have the best grades and test scores to get into med school, and that is what I want, the brightest I can get. This isn't meant to start a debate, but I live close to Davis, CA, and there was a famous case some years back, where a doctor wannabee successfully sued the UCD Medical School and won...his scores, reviews, etc were much higher than some of the other candidates, but because they'd already filled their quota of white males, they weren't going to let him in. When we get to the place where there are no quotas I'll rethink how I choose a doctor.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I prefer having a female PCP and OB/gyn, although I really don't have a problem with males. I'm not really bothered by the physical aspects, but I find it easier to talk to a woman about... you know... woman issues...

My RE (reproductive endocrinologist) was a male, though and I loved him. But I didn't see him for long, not because of him, just that I didn't need those services for long.

I don't mind male nurses, although I don't think I've ever had one. Again, I'd probably prefer a female in L&D, but don't really care for anything else.

 

[Lanshark]

I don't have a problem with male nurses or doctors but do prefer females.

Why you ask

Because female doctors, in my experience, are more personable and willing to take the time to explain the situation. I know there are females that are abrupt and males who are very willing to explain things to their patients. I have found, in general, that male doctors are more arrogant and abrupt. I've never seen that arrogance in a male nurse.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

ooh, I have to add that my dh has a female PCP. She even does his :cough: :cough: exam.

 

[Disney Doll]

As for Dr's I don't have a preference, my OB is male and my PCP is female. When I was in the hospital, I had both male and female nurses, I didn't mind either sex, until it came to the sponge bath. I wouldn't let the male nurses touch me!!!!

But why?? Your male OB sees a lot more than a male nurse doing a sponge bath.

 

[JVL1018]

MY PCP and OB/GYN are bpth female, specifcally chosen because they were female. I feel more comfortable.

That said, both my children were delivered by the two male OBs on my OBs practice because they happened to be on call. (I also did have a couple of appts with them during pregnancy just so I'd meet everyone in case they delivered the babies)
The first one was good, the second one is fantastic, I loved him. But I still prefer my checkups from my female GYN.


Male nurse...no thanks. Well, I've only been in the hospital to have my children, so that is what I'm basing it on. I just consider nursing to be more personal, more nurturing, and I wouldn't feel comfortable with a man in that position. Doctors are always just a bit removed IME, so that's why a male doctor isn't the same.

Maybe it's just me, but when I've had babies the nurse is the one who is working with you, helping out, the doctor comes in and does what needs to be done delivers the baby, the nurse takes care of YOU.

For things other tahn gynecological/obstetrics, I don't think I'd care as much.

 

[becjlek]

I have only been in the hospital once that wasn't for giving birth. I had a male nurse then and I was very comfortable with him as a nurse. I think I am like a lot of people, I just want someone who knows what they are doing no matter what gender they are.

 

[musclecar_72]

Geez, you women all call us men sexist!

 

[grlpwrd]

I prefer female providers for my ob/gyn, but I don't really mind the gender in any other medical capacity - just so long they are professional.

My 3rd dd was delivered by a male doctor because he was on call and I had c sections performed by male doctors for my last 2 deliveries. For my 5th child I had to see specialists at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and they were all male (though there are female doctors there).