Chapter 1: The First Day and Unwelcome Interruptions

On my inaugural day in a new ward, I faced an unexpected challenge. The agency nurse had not arrived, leaving me to manage the medication keys. Navigating a medication round in an unfamiliar setting felt akin to stepping into a stranger's kitchen to prepare a meal. I was unfamiliar with the layout, requiring heightened focus to avoid any errors.

Just when I thought I could concentrate, an irritating junior male doctor interrupted. As I was administering medication, he attempted to push past me, claiming he needed to draw blood from a patient. "Not now," I firmly replied, requesting he return in an hour. His angry outburst implied that his schedule took precedence over mine—dismissing my role as merely that of a nurse and a woman. I maintained my stance, knowing any distraction could lead to a serious medication mistake. He stormed away.

The ward manager supported me, addressing his inappropriate behavior and revealing that he was commonly referred to as "Doctor Dick" by staff.

To lighten the mood, I tried to portray the absurdity of the misogynistic attitudes I encountered. I'm not alone in this struggle; organizations like Surviving in Scrubs have reported widespread sexism, harassment, and even instances of sexual assault among female and non-binary healthcare professionals. The accounts are harrowing and underscore a troubling reality in our field.

In mental health services, the dynamics between doctors and nurses can differ significantly from other healthcare environments, where teamwork and respect for each role are paramount—most of the time.

Shortly after Doctor Dick’s rotation ended, I encountered another problematic figure, whom I’ll refer to as "Doctor Dick Pics," to illustrate his behavior.

Chapter 2: The Next Misogynist Encounter

Doctor Dick Pics exhibited a belief that nurses were at his command, particularly assuming that women were obligated to perform tasks he deemed beneath him—like transporting blood samples. One day, he instructed me to send someone to retrieve the ECG machine from a neighboring ward. I declined, citing our acute staff shortage and the distance involved.

I thought to myself, "He has legs; why can't he fetch it himself?" But clearly, he preferred to exploit the presence of female colleagues for his convenience, even if it meant undermining their workload.

Weeks later, gossip revealed that he had been flirting with a Charge Nurse in another ward through a dating app, sending unsolicited explicit images. After she shared the photos with some colleagues, disciplinary measures were initiated, though he faced minimal consequences. It was disheartening to see someone so unconcerned with the impact of his actions, fixated instead on whether others found him impressive.

It's disconcerting to acknowledge that sexism and misogyny are common experiences for nurses, particularly in a profession that is predominantly female and often undervalued.

Chapter 3: The Struggle for Recognition

Two years post-Doctor Dick Pics, I advanced to a role in a mental health liaison team, acting as the point of contact for psychiatric consultations in general hospitals. Despite my seven years of experience, it became evident that some male doctors, fresh from rotations, felt their limited training surpassed my extensive knowledge.

In one instance, I requested blood tests to rule out delirium for a patient presenting with psychosis symptoms. Despite adhering to established protocols, I found myself needing approval from a male doctor who seemed intent on dismissing my expertise. As I stood at the doctor’s station, I felt the urge to shout, “Enough of the patriarchy!” while he wasted time explaining what I already knew.

It's frustrating to witness the apparent belief that male doctors, with mere months of experience, possess greater insight than seasoned nurses.

Chapter 4: An Unfortunate Culture

Misogynistic attitudes can also be found among male nurses. During a business trip, a male colleague dismissed my attempt to exchange business cards, signaling that my contributions were insignificant. Such treatment left me feeling isolated and despondent.

You might expect that regulatory bodies and trade unions would provide support in these situations, but the reality is far different. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recently acknowledged systemic sexism and racism, leaving many whistleblowers feeling disillusioned. Disturbingly, reports surfaced of sexual offenders remaining on the nursing register due to lenient interpretations of their actions.

While the NMC sets standards for professional conduct, their decisions often undermine their credibility, especially when addressing issues of sexism and harassment.

Chapter 5: A Call for Change

Nursing is often celebrated as one of the most trusted professions in the UK, but this reputation is jeopardized when regulatory bodies fail to take decisive action against misconduct. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the largest nursing trade union, has also been implicated in a culture of sexism and harassment.

To truly combat sexism and misogyny in nursing, both the NMC and RCN must address their internal cultures. Addressing individual complaints serves only as a temporary fix; systemic change is required. Until the government prioritizes fair pay and recognizes the value of nursing skills, sexism will persist as a pervasive issue.

We must demand better from our regulators and unions, as their inaction allows figures like Doctor Dick and Doctor Dick Pics to continue their unacceptable behavior unchallenged.

For more insights into gender equality, follow Fourth Wave. Do you have a story or poem focusing on women or marginalized groups? Share it with the Wave!