[Closed] Would you be happy with a male Health Visitor/School Nurse?

Grahams – true.  I never said a man cannot do the job tho.  All I wanted to do was highlight the difficulties he would face in reality. and gave my opinions.

I think if you had said something like "It will be a difficult career path as my experience suggests you will face a lot of prejudices, need constant chaperones" etc etc then your point might have been better received.

But what you actually said was: "School nursing women only. You will not be able to be properly effective as a school nurse....  you cannot do a large part of the job.. A man simply will not be able to do the job properly."

Which is a very different tone.

Was there not an IMO in there?  point taken

TJ I dont work in theatres. Recovery,. Wards. ITU.  Is my history.

lead nurse in one of my WIC in a major university city is male, and come freshers week when we start handing out morning after pills like sweeties, they don't seem to care he's a bloke.

Let's not forget contraception is not just the responsibility of girls, therefore the reverse may apply that some boys might prefer talking to a male.

Blimey TJ - you get something right and still cop it. STW is a funny old place

Blimey TJ - you get something right and still cop it. STW is a funny old place

Can someone explain to me what jobs a male school nurse would need a chaperone for that a female wouldn’t? If you need a chaperone your own gender is irrelevant. Women and men should be using chaperones.

Sounds like a great career choice: a role model for boys and girls.

Also, the concept that unless you are a women you can’t empathise is BS. Does that mean all midwives have to have children? Do doctors all have to have had all the conditions they treat? Of course not! It’s about training, experience and personal skills of listening and discussion. Frankly the patients don’t give a shit about their HCPs personal lives, they are the patient not you.

Good luck in your career. You sound like you have many skills you will bring to the role.

Hiya, quick update.

One day left at placement and have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Have been out with Health Visitors, attended several multi-disciplinary meetings, sat in on clinics with Nursery Nurses and been to drop in meetings and visits with School Nurses.

Only time it was considered inappropriate for me to attend was at a visit with a mother who is from the travelling community, which I completely understand.

Have received nothing but positive feedback from the dozens of other families I've attended. I was expecting much more negativity, tbh.

Very ethnically diverse community btw. The nicest comments I've received have been from the most unexpected sources, which I guess highlights my own prejudice.

Many thanks to everyone who has responded.

As I've said, lots more placements and training, but I've really found the past fortnight inspirational and will certainly consider this as a future career.

Thanks again.