First off, this thread was started over 3 years ago; so I doubt if the OP is around any more (judging by the low post counts).

Secondly, it would be interesting to know more details (is there a cultural/religious reason for the patients' objections? When I read the original post, the syntax doesn't flow like most American English to me). There are some cultural and religious reasons that some nationalities would not allow a male to touch or view a female patient (even male doctors for women in many Middle-Eastern countries).

Third, if the patient says no to a male bathing her and she is unable to do so herself, someone else should bathe her or it would be considered an assault. The family or spouse of the patient shouldn't have a say in this unless she is incompetent, they request it beforehand (such as in the case of a woman who has been sexually assaulted in the past) or that they have healthcare POA.

Fourth, I am a nurse, it doesn't bother me when I bathe a male. It's a PERSON who needs help at that time. *I* don't see that that person as a male or a sexual being; just as a male nurse doesn't see that person (be it male or female) as being a sexual being then either. We are caring for a person who needs our help. I've been very ill at different times in my life and have been cared for by male nurses. From what I remember, their baths have been as asexual as any a female has given me, and there wasn't any sexual undercurrent involved at all, even when I was intubated and cared for by a former co-worker.

I once had a male co-worker who would tell very raunchy jokes to us in the break room all of the time, trying to embarrass us (now-a-days, he'd be hit with a sexual harassment charge right away if he pulled that). He was always very professional on the unit, but his language and jokes in the break room were less than professional. He later became a CRNA, and he was at my daughter's birth. At first I was a bit put off by the fact that *he* was there; but once again he was a perfect professional on the job; and when my daughter ran into problems during the birth(aspirating meconium), I was more than happy *HE* was the anesthetist on call.

There is nothing sexually exciting about Nursing or being a nurse at all. The entertainment media and porn movies may say otherwise, but sickly, sweaty bodies in open-backed hospital gowns smelling vaguely of stale bodily fluids in rooms that have either an antiseptic or uncleaned toilet smell have to be the biggest turn-off there is.