Transitioning as an RN

[Kylie]

I was wondering if anyone has transitioned while working as an RN.  I have completed my RN program, and am studying for boards right now.  I am just now coming to terms with my identity and what I feel like I need to do.  I won't start transitioning until I have a job as I don't want to give HR an easy reason to toss my resume.  If anyone has transitioned while working as an RN, how did it go?  Did it hurt your relationships with co-workers or your therapeutic relationships with your patients?  What were the biggest challenges you faced?  What would you have done differently or suggest I do to make it go more smoothly?  This is all so scary, I don't even want to wait another day, but I know I have to wait at least another year.

[Sheala]

Hi kylie, Im not an RN but i am a Patient Care Tech in an ER. I see the patients just as often if not more the the RN's lol. now as for your questions......

1. My relationship with my coworkers has stayed the same or gotten better. I feel most people in the medical field are more tolorant to gender non-conformity then most other fields.

2. as for the patients, well most dont care. as long as you are nice to them and do all that you need for there care it is all good to them.

3. biggest challenges. getting every one to stick with she not he..... but thats anywhere. there is also the comfert of not only myself but also the docs and patients when it comes to female exams.

4. what would i do difforently...... I would probably wait longer before i went full time at work. there are still alot the recognise me as being transgender and it could lead to problems. i still have kids asking if im a boy or girl.

Hope this all helps if you have more questions just ask.

[Ms Grace]

I'm not but there is another member here who is in process of doing so, hopefully she drops in. Many years ago I worked in personnel at a large urban hospital, an RN transitioned on the job and had come into the office to change her details. I only caught the briefest glimpse of her in her uniform but she was like the missing piece to the puzzle of my life and gender identity...by the next year I was on HRT!

[Jessica Merriman]

As a Paramedic I have not seen any negative effects from those who transitioned before I did. I knew several doctors, nurses and ancillary people who were pre and post op. No one cares anything about your status when it is an emergency. They just want to see you are technically proficient and working tirelessly on their loved one's. Trust me they are only worried about the care of their loved one and their mind is there only. Health care of any kind is good for trans people.

[Kylie]

That does help a lot, thanks!  Anytime i hear of someone who is transitioning in their job and being accepted, I breathe a little easier.  It is especially great to hear of it in a hospital setting!  I know it wouldn't have been accepted in my nursing school at all! 

A couple more questions for you.....how long were you working there when you began transitioning?  Did HR give you any problems?  What area of the country are you in if you don't mind answering?  I am planning on moving because I really think that most hospitals here in Missouri would have a problem with the transition period no matter how good of a nurse I was.  Plus being trans in this state is an acceptable cause for termination if I am not mistaken.  Was thinking California or Portland area as first choices.  Anyone else have suggestions on great places to start over?

By wait longer, do you mean giving the hormones more time to work?  How long did you wait before you went full time at work?  Sorry for all of the questions, but thanks so much for taking the time to answer them!

So glad that all of you have found yourselves!  I hope I get there too!

[Sheala]

That does help a lot, thanks!  Anytime i hear of someone who is transitioning in their job and being accepted, I breathe a little easier.  It is especially great to hear of it in a hospital setting!  I know it wouldn't have been accepted in my nursing school at all! 

A couple more questions for you.....how long were you working there when you began transitioning?  Did HR give you any problems?  What area of the country are you in if you don't mind answering?  I am planning on moving because I really think that most hospitals here in Missouri would have a problem with the transition period no matter how good of a nurse I was.  Plus being trans in this state is an acceptable cause for termination if I am not mistaken.  Was thinking California or Portland area as first choices.  Anyone else have suggestions on great places to start over?

By wait longer, do you mean giving the hormones more time to work?  How long did you wait before you went full time at work?  Sorry for all of the questions, but thanks so much for taking the time to answer them!

So glad that all of you have found yourselves!  I hope I get there too!

thats a lot lol.... no its really no problem.

1. I started in the hospital 4 years ago but I started in the er last june, wrote an email to them all in aug and went full time in jan.. after starting hormones november. 3 months on hormones whaile changing alot was not enough time.... i think shadow gives me a way alot ....... anyway i digress.

2. I live in pittsburgh PA. there are some really accepting areas here and a few not so. just be carefull where you move.

3.HR is just worried about the legal aspects. like name change and gender change when that will happen.

4.yes i should have waited 6 months or more after starting hormones before going full here at work. but i did im loveing it and i live with the clocking....

[Kylie]

How supportive were the organizations you ladies worked for with regard to time off for surgeries?  That is another fear of mine.  I've read the forums for facial feminization surgery and voice feminization surgery and it seems like the recovery times are pretty lengthy.  I think I will probably have to have both to be convincing.  I've just started trying to modify my voice and it sounds so awful it makes me want to cry

[Sheala]

How supportive were the organizations you ladies worked for with regard to time off for surgeries?  That is another fear of mine.  I've read the forums for facial feminization surgery and voice feminization surgery and it seems like the recovery times are pretty lengthy.  I think I will probably have to have both to be convincing.  I've just started trying to modify my voice and it sounds so awful it makes me want to cry

I know my hospital is fairly leneant on surgeries. But i dont think i will really need all that many to get to where i want to be.

[Kylie]

I know my hospital is fairly leneant on surgeries. But i dont think i will really need all that many to get to where i want to be.

Must feel sooooo good to be that close . I can't even imagine, everything still seems so far away and out of reach.  What gets you clocked the most?  What did you do for your voice?  At least being able to wear scrubs everyday will make going full time a lot less intimidating.

[Christinetobe]

Hi Kylie, first let me congratulate you on enduring the horrible world of nursing school.  I have worked as a nurse for about 20 years and have remained fully in denial and hidden the entire time.  The reasons for that are mine and had NOTHING to do with employment.  Thinking back I can think of at least 5 people that transitioned while working.  I do not know of a single one that had any difficulties with the actual facility.  As long as you can do your job nobody cares.  The patients are always a different matter but all seemed overwhelmingly indifferent.  On the off chance you run into one the vast majority of times the supervisor/manager will just simply swap the assignments.  That is done quite frequently anyway for numerous reasons.  When you decide to start transition is entirely up to you but I wouldn't let work hold you back.  Good luck to you and welcome to nursing.

[Kylie]

Hi Christine!

Thanks!  Yeah, I don't think many people realize what an ordeal nursing school is, and so many of the girls are so mean to each other.  I think the only time I have ever been glad i was a guy (aside from sporting event bathroom lines) was in nursing school. 

Thanks for the info, it makes me feel so much better when I hear of girls that have done it, it really chips away at my fears and lets me see the possibilities more clearly.  If you don't mind answering, what part of the country are you in?  Do you have any advice on how to go about things from observing the girls that you saw transition?  Things they did right/wrong or could have done better?

I actually posted to allnurses before I found this site to see how other nurses would feel about working with someone like me. Their response was pretty much what you said, if I was competent and a good co-worker, they would rather have a transgender me than a lazy, poop disturbing nurse.  I don't think haters felt comfortable posting their opinions though, things were almost too positive.

When you decide to start transition is entirely up to you but I wouldn't let work hold you back.

I would love to start as soon as possible if I decide to transition (which more and more I think I will), do you think an HR dept would ever really consider hiring someone in transition?  I pretty much assumed, I would have to wait until I was hired and through my fellowship/probation to begin.  While there was comfort in having a good reason to put it off, I also feel like I have just released a snowball at the top of a mountain and the desire to finally be myself just keeps growing larger and faster.  It seems like it may become unstoppable at some point.

Kylie

[Sarah leah]

I am -fingers crossed- working as a Mental health social worker soon in a hospital. I have a formal interview in three days, I have concerns talking about it until after I get on hrt in 6 months. But I think in general I will be fine as well I am a Social worker now \o/ and we are less judgemental of people. So the plan is to go on hrt for a year then talk to others in the team.

[Christinetobe]

Kylie,  my experience with all HR departments is if you have a nursing license, are willing to work the shifts needed, and preferably a heartbeat then they will hire you.  I started my career in Suburban Boston and now I am in Florida.  I would caution you that some states have different reciprocity agreements for licensure.  If you want you can send me a private message I will be sure to answer.

[Kylie]

Good luck on the interview Sarah!  Let us know how it goes!  I am considering mental health as well after I get some floor experience.

Kylie,  my experience with all HR departments is if you have a nursing license, are willing to work the shifts needed, and preferably a heartbeat then they will hire you.

For nurses with experience that is the case, but the new grad job market is awful right now in many places. Hospitals don't want to spend the money to train.

I would caution you that some states have different reciprocity agreements for licensure. 

Yeah I know, I am in a compact state so I will take the missouri boards just so my options are increased but I don't have a desire to move to any of the compact states.  Beggars can't be choosers though so I have to be ready to compromise.  I think it is silly that I will have to take boards separately for each of the states I would prefer to live in.

If you want you can send me a private message I will be sure to answer.

Thank you so much! I am sure that I will have a million more questions as things progress!

[Christinetobe]

I know how tough it is for new grads right now.  From what I have seen the best way to get the experience you need is to start either taking a terrible shift or trying the  smaller community hospitals if there are any left near you.  It is tough to find the positions in the larger teaching hospitals.  As for moving to a new area there are some places that are so desperate they will assist with expenses if you sign a contract.  You could check sites like career builder and monster for that.  I am in southern florida and the job market for nurses here is ok only.  It is great starting about September and drops off in about march.  Best of luck to you.

[Elainagirl59]

Hi Kylie,

Welcome to Susan's.  I saw your post on Allnurses earlier this week.  I think the responses there were really enthusiastic and supportive overall.

Post transition I worked as a CNA for about 3 years.  Working in a Long Term Care Center,  I didn't have any problems.

I have been speaking to local nursing students at a local community college for the last 3 semesters.  The response of the students has been really positive, in terms of wanting to do better job caring for trans patients.  I have also spoken to the instructors about returning to school for a nursing degree, I have received nothing but positive feedback and encouragement.

The only negative response has been from my sister, who is an RN.  She was sure "that no patient would let someone like me touch them."  My experience was completely opposite.

Best Wishes,
Elaina

[katiej]

Kylie, once you're transitioned and reasonably passable, you might want to look into travel nursing.  The pay is really good, and you'd get to spend some time in different parts of the country before deciding where to settle down.

[Kylie]

Hi Kylie,

Welcome to Susan's.  I saw your post on Allnurses earlier this week.  I think the responses there were really enthusiastic and supportive overall.

Post transition I worked as a CNA for about 3 years.  Working in a Long Term Care Center,  I didn't have any problems.

I have been speaking to local nursing students at a local community college for the last 3 semesters.  The response of the students has been really positive, in terms of wanting to do better job caring for trans patients.  I have also spoken to the instructors about returning to school for a nursing degree, I have received nothing but positive feedback and encouragement.

The only negative response has been from my sister, who is an RN.  She was sure "that no patient would let someone like me touch them."  My experience was completely opposite.

Best Wishes,
Elaina

Thanks!

Yeah, I was shocked by the positive and indifferent responses to my post.  I actually wanted to hear more from the people that were against it so i could learn what their major fears were and what I could do to make it easier for everyone.  Even the poor guy who was against it was very civil and kind about it.  All of the support really gave me a boost to explore and progress. That post was actually made just a couple days after I finally gave up the fight and admitted who I am and that it isn't going to go away.  Had it gone poorly, I might have stopped moving forward, and probably wouldn't have found this awesome site!  I tried to convey it in my posts, but I don't think people will ever know what a difference their little notes of support meant to me and my future.

That is so awesome that you speak with the students, and have had their support in going through their program!  That is exactly as it should be!  I hope you go for it if that is what you want to do!  I know I sound like I have a pessimistic outlook for my transition prospects, but with all of the support and new info, it is changing to the point where I am now in the last day really beginning to consider transition before I have a job.  I actually discussed it with my therapist today.  Everyone did advise me to get the job first though, so I might not have been so wrong on that fear. 

The culture of my nursing school is probably what built my fears into something greater than they should have been.  It was in a very conservative area of Missouri, and I have never seen so many judgmental/cliquish people in my life (this included about half of the instructors as well).  We didn't have a single minority, only one gay guy who was treated very poorly by many of the students and at least two of the instructors.  He was treated as more of an oddity than a person.  I seriously took care of every HIV+ patient that we had in my clinical rotation because even in this day and age, and with their extra nursing education, they were either too scared or bigoted to do it.  I am so glad to learn that this is not anywhere close to normal.

On a final note, I just want to say how awesome you are for not only having the courage to transition and be yourself, but also to stick around and work to make things better for everyone else who is faced with this.  You could easily go stealth and leave so many difficult issues behind, but you don't and I am so impressed by that!  I thought being stealth in the end was the only way I could handle going through this or feel whole, but even that has changed recently.  I am beginning to feel like I have a duty to others to not only come out, but to stay out and work for change no matter how "passable" I become.

[Kylie]

Kylie, once you're transitioned and reasonably passable, you might want to look into travel nursing.  The pay is really good, and you'd get to spend some time in different parts of the country before deciding where to settle down.

Yes! Yes! Yes!  I love travel more than anything else in the world; I can't wait to be able to do this.  As soon as I get my two years of required experience, I am off!

[Alesium]

I am so glad I found this thread! I'm a nursing student, graduating in December, and have been wondering how transitioning in a RN setting would go.  A lot of my fears have been answered here.  Thanks!  My current plan is to graduate, work 2-3 years in med-surg while I develop a more feminine persona and body, then go full-time while I transfer to somewhere else.