End of shift: RN experiences healthcare system as transgender woman
By Janis Booth, RN
Monday July 16, 2012

http://news.nurse.com/article/20120716/NATIONAL01/107160010

I am a retired RN. I am also a transgender woman.

I now am living my life as the woman I am. I still have an anatomical anomaly, but the public doesn't see it, making the problem easy to conceal — except when I need to deal with the healthcare system. Doctor's visits and hospital procedures require me to disrobe, and then I no longer can conceal my anatomy. Anticipating a visit creates a high level of anxiety for me, even though all of my personal experiences with health professionals so far have been good.

I recently needed to have a colonoscopy. I have had a number of these through the years, but this was the first since I began my transition. To say I was nervous would be a gross understatement, even though my nursing career helps me understand the health system.

...The most effective thing a nurse can do to help a transgender person feel more comfortable is to talk to the person and not to his or her anatomy.

Not a fan of the company that hosts that site, but this is good advice to anyone in the healthcare field. When I was starting hormones, I called 4-5 doctors offices and was told from all but one that they would rather not deal with a transgender patient.  It's not about sex, it's about gender; get your minds out of the gutter already...

Quote from: Susan on July 17, 2012, 02:30:21 AM
Not a fan of the company that hosts that site, but this is good advice to anyone in the healthcare field. When I was starting hormones, I called 4-5 doctors offices and was told from all but one that they would rather not deal with a transgender patient.  It's not about sex, it's about gender; get your minds out of the gutter already...

That's something I've given a fair amount of thought to.  I *really* like the doctor I'm seeing currently and hope it's not an issue with her or her office - there are three doctors in that office - the one I see, her husband, and a third incredibly unpleasant male doctor who's bedside manner is about that of an angry badger - but I digress.  Somehow I suspect it will be an issue, which will be disappointing.  However, that's a bridge to cross when the time comes I suppose.

Madison

Hopefully things are improving. Treating people with gender ID problems is part of the medical school curriculum where I teach.

My endocrinologist/gynaecologist is TG her self so here are no issues there. My family Dr who has known me for many years changed my name himself on my records in a temporary fashion until I get the legal name change.  I was at the pharmacist on the weekend collecting the supply and the attendant said to me it is getting ridiculous calling you P as written on your Medicare card. What name do you prefer?  I'm Cindy I replied, that suits you she said. That was it.

I realise the  USA and Australia are quite different in many ways and I'm very glad that gender issues here are treated like any other issue. It's personal and professional.

....besides posting News and doing some damage in Links, my other job is (drumroll....)....

I'm an RN, and I ain't retired yet neither!

Since I first stepped onto the "Floor", and started working in my profession almost 14 yrs ago (that long ), I have been in direct contact with about every color in "The Rainbow". In fact the Nurse I relieved when I worked Evenings at my first hospital was/is Transgendered, and I didn't realize that until after I left that Hospital for another. So were a couple of the Nurses that relieved me from the Night shift, all were/are women of Color.

Any Hospital or facility I have ever worked at has always been respectful of Trans Persons along with Gays and Lesbians. Anything less was completely unacceptable!

When I step into the "Spotlight" in the not to distant future, I will be doing the same thing that the Transgendered Nurses I first worked with did and I imagine still do...CARE FOR PATIENT"S IRREGARDLESS OF ANYTHING! I've even cared for Thieves, Drug Dealers, Murderer's and...Child Molesters. Not everyone in the Healthcare/Medical profession do, but I don't personally recall of a Nurse that didn't provide care to a LGBTIQ patient.

But there have been incidences where Nurse's didn't act respectfully and professionally towards Trans patients, The Ball Memorial Hospital ER in Muncie, Indiana;

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,123336.0.html

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,81837.0.html

www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,82868.0.html

...and good catch Maddie!

SJ

Quote from: SandraJane on July 17, 2012, 10:57:26 AM
....besides posting News and doing some damage in Links, my other job is (drumroll....)....

I'm an RN, and I ain't retired yet neither!

Since I first stepped onto the "Floor", and started working in my profession almost 14 yrs ago (that long ), I have been in direct contact with about every color in "The Rainbow". In fact the Nurse I relieved when I worked Evenings at my first hospital was/is Transgendered, and I didn't realize that until after I left that Hospital for another. So were a couple of the Nurses that relieved me from the Night shift, all were/are women of Color.
....
SJ

When things settle I'm considering going back to school to help align my work with my personality. Nursing is at the top of my list right now, since independently wealthy artist and author probably isn't reachable in two years... or twenty. I've been nursing people and critters since before I could talk, and I have always looked up to the people who do it every day. Quality of nursing can be the difference between an awful healthcare experience and a marvelous one.

Quote from: SandraJane on July 17, 2012, 10:57:26 AM
....besides posting News and doing some damage in Links, my other job is (drumroll....)....

I'm an RN, and I ain't retired yet neither!

Since I first stepped onto the "Floor", and started working in my profession almost 14 yrs ago (that long ), I have been in direct contact with about every color in "The Rainbow". In fact the Nurse I relieved when I worked Evenings at my first hospital was/is Transgendered, and I didn't realize that until after I left that Hospital for another. So were a couple of the Nurses that relieved me from the Night shift, all were/are women of Color.

Any Hospital or facility I have ever worked at has always been respectful of Trans Persons along with Gays and Lesbians. Anything less was completely unacceptable!

When I step into the "Spotlight" in the not to distant future, I will be doing the same thing that the Transgendered Nurses I first worked with did and I imagine still do...CARE FOR PATIENT"S IRREGARDLESS OF ANYTHING! I've even cared for Thieves, Drug Dealers, Murderer's and...Child Molesters. Not everyone in the Healthcare/Medical profession do, but I don't personally recall of a Nurse that didn't provide care to a LGBTIQ patient.

But there have been incidences where Nurse's didn't act respectfully and professionally towards Trans patients, The Ball Memorial Hospital ER in Muncie, Indiana;

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,123336.0.html

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,81837.0.html

www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,82868.0.html

...and good catch Maddie!

SJ

Some of the hospital administrators are of no help to nursing.  I talked to a 'retired' 70 year old RN last month.  She is still working as a nurse due to finances.  She was "retired" then returned as one who is entry level at that pay.  She did the visiting nurse thing for the mountain community near her house and had to spring for a hybrid car for her rounds.  She also did the "CARE FOR PATIENTS, REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING!" thing during the night shift in a Colorado Springs hospital, probably Penrose, before she was "retired".  Her boss tried to retain her, but the higher-ups decided otherwise.  Rules are rules.
  Joelene