Novice Nurse Series: How to Prepare Novice Nurses to Care for Transgender Patients

Many transgender individuals have historically experienced stigma, discrimination, and inadequate care during medical visits, which can make them fearful and hesitant to seek healthcare.

In fact, a report from the Center for American Progress reveals that LGBTQIA+ individuals are three times more likely than their non-LGBTQIA+ counterparts to delay or avoid necessary medical care due to discrimination or disrespect (23% vs. 7%). This highlights the urgent need for more inclusive, affirming care practices by nurses on the frontlines providing care.

As nursing educators and preceptors, you play a critical role in changing the narrative by preparing novice nurses to gain the confidence to provide compassionate, inclusive care to transgender patients.

In this Novice Nurse Series, UbiSim is shedding light on the ways nurse educators can teach new nurses how to work with specific populations. 

Equipping nurses to provide care for transgender patients

Researchers found that many nurses do not feel competent to provide care for transgender patients despite published standards for delivering gender-affirming care. Studies show that targeted education on transgender-specific nursing care drastically improves the healthcare experience for transgender individuals and helps reduce the disparities they face in the medical system. 

Many nurses report feeling unprepared to meet the unique healthcare needs of transgender patients, which indicates how important it is to provide proper training. LGBTQIA+ healthcare expert Kristie Overstreet, Ph.D., notes in Nurse Journal: “There are many nurses and providers who want to do the right thing and provide affirming care but don’t have the organizational support for training.”

By providing education on transgender patient care—whether at the academic level or through ongoing clinical practice—nursing programs and healthcare institutions can foster a more inclusive environment where all patients feel comfortable, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and improved quality of care for transgender individuals.

Ways to prepare novice nurses to care for transgender patients

Teach cultural competence/humility

Training novice nurses in cultural competence, now often referred to as cultural humility, is essential when preparing them to care for transgender patients. 

Consider two nursing students caring for transgender patients. The first student, though well-meaning, is hesitant to ask questions and worried about offending the patient. The patient may feel misunderstood and unseen because of the nurse's assumptions or lack of questions. Now, imagine the second student, who approaches the patient with openness and curiosity. Rather than making assumptions, they ask thoughtful questions about the patient's preferred name, pronouns, and healthcare needs. The patient feels respected, understood, and confident in the care they are receiving.

The difference is striking, and it’s not about being perfect—it’s about creating a safe, respectful environment where every patient feels seen and valued.

Help them build empathy through patient-centered care

As educators, it’s helpful to encourage novice nurses to embrace patient-centered care by teaching them to prioritize each individual’s needs, values, and preferences. Help students to practice active listening, emphasizing the importance of really hearing what the patient is saying without judgment. This approach allows nurses to develop a deeper understanding of their patients' unique circumstances, especially with transgender individuals who may face barriers in healthcare.

Additionally, teaching students to consistently use gender-affirming language—such as asking for and using the patient’s preferred pronouns and chosen name—creates a respectful and inclusive environment. Research supports that empathy training, combined with patient-centered communication, significantly improves nursing students’ ability to deliver compassionate and effective care, especially to marginalized groups like transgender patients.

Utilize virtual reality for therapeutic communication and empathy

Incorporating virtual reality (VR) into nursing education is a game-changer when it comes to preparing students for real-world patient interactions, especially with transgender individuals. VR offers a unique, immersive experience where novice nurses can safely practice their communication skills without fear of making mistakes with live patients. 

By simulating encounters with transgender patients, VR allows students to try out inclusive language, navigate sensitive conversations, and build empathy—all in a controlled environment. This hands-on practice helps boost confidence, ensuring that novice nurses feel more prepared and capable of delivering compassionate, affirming care. 

UbiSim, a nursing VR training platform, has a transgender patient scenario where nurse learners get to demonstrate effective therapeutic communication, empathy, and support by using open, inclusive language alongside the physical assessment. 

Show them how to address implicit bias

Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. In healthcare, implicit bias can lead to disparities in patient care, particularly for marginalized groups such as transgender individuals. Research has shown that implicit bias can influence how nurses perceive and treat patients, often resulting in unequal access to care, miscommunication, and poorer health outcomes.

Here are some ways you as nurse educators/preceptors can encourage addressing implicit bias:

• Self-Reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their own attitudes and assumptions through journaling or group discussions. 
• Bias Checklists: Provide simple checklists that prompt nurses to reflect on whether they are making assumptions based on gender identity. 
• Mindfulness: Educate nurses in mindfulness techniques, such as pausing and taking a breath before engaging with a patient, as a way to help them stay present and avoid acting on automatic assumptions. Research shows that mindfulness improves empathy and reduces the impact of bias​.
• Ongoing Education: Regular instruction or training on cultural competence and transgender health helps nurses stay informed and reinforces inclusive practices. 

Help create a safe and affirming healthcare environment

When preparing novice nurses, emphasize that providing a safe and affirming environment for transgender patients goes beyond communication—it extends to creating an inclusive physical space. While institutional changes are often necessary, educators can empower nurses to become advocates for more inclusive practices within healthcare settings.

According to the Patient-Centered Transgender Health Toolkit by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, here are some key strategies that educators can teach nursing students to ensure a more inclusive and accessible environment for transgender patients:

• Inclusive Intake Forms: Teach students to advocate for patient health data forms that allow patients to self-identify their gender, including non-binary and trans options.
• Inclusive Visuals and Signage: Highlight the importance of ensuring that signage, artwork, and educational materials in clinical settings represent diverse gender identities, including male, female, and gender-variant individuals.
• Staff Education: Encourage novice nurses to promote ongoing education for all healthcare staff—medical, nursing, and administrative—on affirming a patient’s gender identity and creating a welcoming environment.
• Gender-Neutral Restrooms: Teach students the importance of advocating for unisex restrooms as an option for transgender patients, ensuring they feel comfortable and safe in healthcare environments.
• Pronoun Usage: Ensure that students practice asking patients their preferred pronouns and names and stress the importance of respecting and using those consistently throughout the care experience.

Final Thoughts

As nurse educators and preceptors, you have the power to shape the next generation of healthcare providers. By equipping novice nurses with the skills to offer compassionate, respectful, and affirming care, you can help ensure that transgender patients feel seen, heard, and valued—transforming healthcare outcomes and making a lasting impact.