Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Janice Long

Abstract

AbstractThe transgender population is growing, and along with the population growth, the healthcare needs for gender transitioning of both medical and surgical procedures. Registered nurses (RNs) who care for hospitalized transgender patients are required to be knowledgeable about their care, yet little is known about what nurses know about the healthcare of the transgender patient. The purpose of this basic qualitative study, guided by Benner’s novice to expert theory, was to explore the knowledge and perceptions of RNs regarding healthcare of transgender persons undergoing transition to the opposite gender. Social media and snowball sampling were used to recruit 10 RNs from medical surgical settings in the southwestern United States. Participants were interviewed using semi structured and open-ended questions with interviews continuing until saturation was achieved. Transcribed interview data were analyzed using manual coding following Saldana’s method to identify codes, categories, and themes. Two themes were identified: attitude and knowledge. Attitudes were overall positive toward transitioning adults however participant knowledge was limited on specifics related to care of a transitioning adult patient. Social change is possible if nurse educators include programs of study on care of the transitioning transgender population. Recommendations for future research include interventional studies providing education and testing of nurses who care for patients who are undergoing transitioning.

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