Healthcare with Pride: A Nursing Perspective

The literature suggests that transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals face unique healthcare needs. Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals delay seeking treatment due to reluctance of disclosure and problems encountered with the healthcare experience. This paper takes a nursing perspective on how healthcare can be more inclusive to all. The chapter looks at nursing theories such as Jean Watson’s theory of caring to add a humanistic perspective to the care of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. The chapter looks at culturally competent care and how the nurse’s knowledge, attitude, and skill can change to better understand and work with transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Fundamental concepts reviewed include patient education, the hospital setting, and nursing considerations about gender reassignment surgeries. A medical-surgical nursing perspective on gender reassignment surgeries critical areas of focus helps shape the innovation and new direction for the trans health section. The paper concludes by outlining the main focus areas for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals to receive healthcare with PRIDE.