The Experience of Professional Nurse Sexual Identity Management: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
College of Nursing and Health Sciences - PhD Dissertation Defense
Aaron Gendreau-Visco, MBA, BSN, RN, PhD Candidate
Date: May 27, 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Place: LIB 314
ZOOM: contact dhoffman@umassd.edu for link
Title: The Experience of Professional Nurse Sexual Identity Management: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Dissertation Committee: Susan Hunter Revell PhD, RN (chair), Jennifer Viveiros PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, Kristen Clark PhD, RN, Mary McCurry PhD, RNBC, ANP, ACNP
Abstract: Sexual identity management is a complex process that includes repeated decisions to disclose over time. This qualitative, descriptive study aimed to better understand the experience of sexual identity management for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) professional nurses and the factors that influence sexual identity disclosure in the workplace. Rubin and Rubin’s responsive interviewing methodology was used to solicit narrative accounts from 10 practicing acute care nurses with at least one year of experience. Semi-structured interviews revealed a process the nurses used to manage their sexual identity in the workplace. Eight major themes emerged: initial assessment, being myself, relating to coworkers, comfort/trust, informed disclosure, in the wake of disclosure, intentional non-disclosure, and in the wake of silence. The combination of themes revealed was dependent on whether the disclosure was to a coworker or patient. The decision to disclose was influenced by the individual nurse’s history, and nursing unit and organizational factors.
The impact of past and current discrimination and minority stress on the decision to disclose sexual identity included two major themes: carrying the weight and cognitive vigilance. This is the first study to examine the experiences of LGB nurses managing their sexual identity in the workplace. Findings also provide insight into the factors that both enable and hinder their decision to disclose, providing a resource to guide practicing nurses and nurse researchers. Study findings may also inform nurse managers and nurse educators who are responsible for the culture they create and provide future support of professional LGB nurses in the classroom and on the clinical unit.
Library 314
: ZOOM
Deanna Hoffman
dhoffman@umassd.edu