Case study: Harry (student)

Harry is 43 years old and is a third-year nursing student specialising in children’s nursing. He is a family man and believes very strongly in the importance of children being brought up in a loving home with two parents. His own children have now grown up and he has decided that the time is right to fulfil a long-held dream to study nursing. He has recently commenced a placement working with a community children’s nurse.

Today they are going to see a new patient, eleven-year-old Lucy. She has recently been discharged home following abdominal surgery and they are going to check the wound. She is understandably worried about having the dressing removed and Harry tries to involve her in conversation about what she likes doing with Mummy and Daddy. Lucy, however, looks confused and then says she doesn’t have a mum, she has two dads. It is then Harry’s turn to look confused, until he realises that her parents must be a gay couple. He finds this difficult to respond to, as he has always felt uncomfortable about homosexuality and doesn’t really agree with gay couples bringing up children.

1. Should Harry disclose his feelings to his mentor?

2. Should Harry be honest with Lucy and her parents about his feelings?