Are You Man Enough to be a Nurse? The Impact of Ambivalent Sexism and Role Congruity on Perceptions of Men and Women in Nursing Advertisements

Do Men Apply Differently Than Women? An Analysis of Language in Standardized Application Documents

Based on previous research about gender differences we investigated whether varying language utilization across gender can be found in standardized text documents such as job applications. To this end, 581 cover letters, CVs and complete application documents were analyzed using linguistic inquiry and word count. Some language differences between men and women could be shown, even if as expected, there were smaller effects than in comparative studies in less formalized contexts. These differences were specific for cover letters and CVs. A differentiated examination showed that gender differences in the cover letters were largely determined by function words. In contrast, differences in the CVs were mainly due to differences in content words. The findings add the context of recruiting to lend support to the framework of gender differences in language across different contexts. Implications for candidates, recruiters and companies are discussed.

Male nurses' work performance: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Nursing performance is closely related to the success of hospital and patient outcome. Recently, the proportion of male nurses has gradually increased. However, we do not know how these male nurses perform in clinical work. The purpose of this study was to understand the job performance of male nurses in China and to identify their risk factors.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. We contacted all the 30 public tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province and 26 of them cooperated. All the 647 male nurses in these hospitals were given questionnaires face-to-face between April 7 and August 8, 2020. The questionnaire included demographic information and the Schwirian's Six Dimension Scale. We also collected the family attitude and the main reason for choosing nursing. We then performed descriptive analyses and liner regressions on the collected data.

RESULTS

We obtained valid questionnaires from 599 individuals. The median age of these male nurses was 26 years old and the nursing age was 4 years. They were mainly distributed in intensive care unit (ICU) (36.12%), operating room (27.42%), and emergency department (23.08%). And the means of the total scores for work performance was 176.42 (standard deviation (SD) = 20.62). The result of the regression shows that length of service, relationship status, educational level, department, main reason for choosing nursing, and family attitude are all risk factors of male nurses' work performance.

CONCLUSION

Chinese male nurses are younger and have shorter working years. They mainly work in departments with higher work intensity and greater pressure. In addition, we found that years of service, education, marital status, department and main reasons for choosing nursing as factors influencing the job performance of male nurses.

Isolation and Marginalization: Exploring Attrition of Men in Preregistration Nursing Programs

BACKGROUND

In Scotland, similar to other countries, male nursing students have a high attrition rate. This study examined the reasons for and ways to decrease the attrition rate.

METHOD

This four-phase collaborative study included four Scottish universities. Phase 1 involved three telephone interviews with men who had left a nursing program. Phases 2 through 4 used focus groups and interviews with 18 nursing students (13 men and 5 women) and 12 nurse lecturers. Thematic analysis followed a four-stage process.

RESULTS

Male nursing students in this study felt isolated and marginalized, were stereotyped regarding their masculinity and physical attributes, had difficulty communicating, and were reluctant to seek help. Financial pressures and access to learning opportunities also disproportionately affected male students. Resilience and maturity are required to cope with these challenges.

CONCLUSION

Proactive measures and visible role models in academic and clinical environments are needed to support male students in completing their nursing education. [J Nurs Educ. 2022;61(4):179-186.].

Gender Equality in Employment among Health Care Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to predict the important variables associated with health care undergraduate students’ opinion of gender equality (GE) in employment. Design: This study adopted a cross-sectional design with multistage sampling and adhered to STROBE guidelines. Setting: From one of the universities of health care in northern Taiwan. Participants: We recruited 2855 health care students and the questionnaire response rate was 78.3%. Results: Female students in this study have a better concept of GE in employment. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the subjects’ gendered concept of family and GE in employment. From the results of multiple linear regressions, the important and significant variables were female, sophomore students, students who were in the division of continuing college self-attitude toward gender roles, attitude toward parental expectations of gender roles, those could explain 45.3% of the variation in GE in employment. Conclusion: Students exposed to the active cultivation of GE in health education largely benefit future professional development. Establishing a GE concept on campus will help students develop their profession in the future. Encourage the school to offer at least one “gender-related” elective subject per semester, especially in the on-the-job training programs to satisfy the needs of GE education.

Male High School Students' Perceptions of Nursing as a Professional Career Choice: Nursing Pathway Project

AIM

The aim of this study was to understand male high school students' perceptions of nursing as a professional career choice.

BACKGROUND

Nursing is predominantly female, with male nurses accounting for less than 10 percent of the nursing workforce.

METHOD

A 32-item descriptive survey that contained demography items and constructs of the theory of planned behavior was administered to 820 high school students from a large Pacific Northwest school district.

RESULTS

Male students scored higher (less positive) relative to female students on all scales. When gay and bisexual male students were compared to female students, there was no statistically significant difference. Gay and bisexual male students scored significantly lower (more positive) than straight male students.

CONCLUSION

Self-identified female individuals and self-identified gay and/or bisexual male individuals have a more positive perception of the nursing profession than other self-identified male individuals. Nurse educators should work with high schools, schools of nursing, and nursing professional organizations to implement strategies to recruit male high school students.

“Other Fields Are More Lucrative and Sexy”: A Qualitative Examination of the Low Number of Men in Psychology

While the underrepresentation of women in traditionally masculine fields has received much scholarly attention, less work has examined men’s lower numbers in women majority fields. Additionally, much of the available research on men in these fields is limited to a few vocations (e.g., nursing and teaching). Expanding career-related research on men in other women majority fields allows for more targeted career interventions with young boys and men as they are making career decisions in a service-oriented economy. The current study focuses on men in psychology ( N = 210) to examine factors that contribute to the low number of men in this women majority field. Using consensual qualitative research–modified, four domains were identified that may help explain the paucity of men in psychology: professional psychology issues, socialization, financial factors, and broader changes in higher education. Implications of these findings for career practice and research with boys and men are discussed.

Traversing the Funambulist's Fine Line between Nursing and Male Identity: A Systematic Review of the Factors that Influence Men as They Seek to Navigate the Nursing Profession

Nursing has seen a dominance of women within the profession, and today, the presence of men in the role remains less understood and appreciated. Males considering or entering nursing face challenges concerning role misconception, marginalization, and gender bias. With a looming shortage of nurses on the horizon, it is more important now than ever before to find better ways of engaging males into nursing. The aim of the study was to examine the psychological constructs that influence male perceptions of nursing as they seek to navigate the profession, and what aspects influence men to consider nursing as a career. To achieve this, a systematic review and mixed research synthesis (integrated design) was conducted. English language research published between 1999 and 2019 was eligible. The methodological rigor of qualitative articles followed the Critical Appraisal Skills Program, while the Best Evidence Medical Education guided the quantitative review. Among the 24 publications identified, three sub-themes emerged from the overarching theme of the funambulist or tightrope walker. Sub-themes included societal, inner and collective voices that inform men’s place in nursing or their decision making about entering the profession. There is a need to re-visit what it means to be a nurse in order to address the gendered stereotypes that impact men entering the nursing profession.

The relation between nursing students' levels of self-efficacy and caring nurse-patient interaction: a descriptive study

Background: Nursing is a process of interpersonal interaction. Objective: To determine the relationship between the self-efficacy levels and caring nurse-patient interactions of nursing students. Methods: The study was carried out with 198 students who agreed to participate. The data was collected by using personal information forms, the Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction Scale (CNPIS), and the Self-Efficacy-Sufficiency Scale (SES). Collected data were evaluated via descriptive statistics, independent group t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey HSD and Pearson Correlation analysis. Results: CNPIS sub-dimension point averages were 309.94 ± 34.71 for importance, 278.97 ± 40.81 for competency, and 264.04 ± 46.17 for feasibility. It was determined that there are statistically significant, strong, and positive relations between all sub-dimension of the scale. It was also determined that the scale sub-dimension point averages differ in a statistically significant way on the basis of certain demographic attributes (sex and age of the students (p<0.05)). Furthermore, a statistically significant, positive and medium level relation was determined between the CNPIS importance and competence point averages and SES total points (rimportance: 0.318, pimportance: 0.000; rcompetence: 0.322, pcompetence: 0.000) Conclusions: It was concluded that students scored high points from all sub-dimensions of the CNPIS. It was further determined that students with high levels of self-efficacy/sufficiency have higher levels of caring for nurse-patient interaction. Impact statement: Adequate self-efficacy and sufficiency will be able to provide better nurse-patient interaction which based on care.

Development and Validation of a Marginality Index for Nursing Students

AIM

The purpose of this study was to develop a marginality tool that speaks specifically to the domain of nursing education.

BACKGROUND

Minority nursing students in the United States have consistently reported feelings associated with the process of marginalization. Given the dearth of instruments that measure marginality directly, the concept has not been sufficiently investigated in nursing students METHOD: The Englund Marginality Index (EMI) was administered to 323 nursing students currently enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program in Wisconsin. A psychometric evaluation of the index was performed.

RESULTS

The EMI consists of 19 items and explained 70 percent of the variance. Cronbach's α coefficient for the instrument was .90. Test-retest correlation was strong at r = .92, a strong support for the temporal stability of the instrument.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study demonstrate that the EMI is a valid and reliable measure of marginality.

End of Occupational Segregation in the Nursing Profession

This chapter focuses on how female nurses make sense of their occupations as the perception of their profession changes from gender-biased to gender-neutral. Nursing is one of those rare professions with occupational segregation in favor of females, but one that is changing as more males enter the profession. While there are many occupational segregation studies to explain male and female nurses' perspectives, research on how female nurses reconsider their views about the profession is scarce. Therefore, this chapter will address this change for females by utilizing a conceptual analysis, specifically the cognitive sense-making perspective. Referring to the phases of the cognitive sense-making (ecological change, enactment, selection, and retention), this chapter examines how the meaning of the nursing profession and the meaning of work in general is changing for females.

Stressors and rewards experienced by men in nursing: A qualitative study

This study explored men's experiences in nursing. A qualitative research design was utilized to examine (a) the stressors experienced by male nurses, (b) the strategies male nurses use to cope with these stressors, (c) the factors that motivate men to pursue a career in nursing and (d) what motivates men to remain in the profession. Six participants were conveniently and purposively selected from a range of nursing positions including cardiac, intensive care unit, theater, and general nursing to participate in semi-structured interviews detailing their experiences. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that male nurses still experience gender role conflict, feelings of exclusion, and numerous other stressors working in a female-dominated occupation. Despite these challenges, participants reported that they experienced a great sense of satisfaction in their nursing careers. Further development of educational programs aimed at challenging and breaking down the perceived social stigma regarding men entering the profession may assist in recruiting more men into nursing roles. At a broader policy level, the development of more effective strategies to prevent and manage stress may assist health care agencies to deliver more gender diverse care and retain more men in the profession.

Life at the Margins: Marginality and Race in Undergraduate Students and Faculty

The United States has become increasingly diverse, but this same rise in diversity is not reflected in the nursing profession. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between marginality and minority status for nursing students in two states with very different racial/ethnic minority profiles. Marginality was measured using the Koci Marginality Index. When comparing students by geographical region, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to the marginality subconcepts of intermediacy, differentiation, power, secrecy, voice, liminality, and reflectiveness. Data were also collected from nurse faculty at each of the universities in Texas and Wisconsin. Findings suggest that there are significant differences between the two faculty samples with regard to advising, tutoring, and mentoring activities, as well as referral of minority students to campus resources. Marginalization is a complicated, deeply entrenched issue that continues to significantly impact minority nursing students across the nation.

Men who are Dietitians: Deconstructing Gender within the Profession to Inform Recruitment

Purpose: In Canada, few men are dietitians. Literature is sparse regarding why so few men are drawn to dietetics. This study, part of a larger qualitative study, explores the experiences of men who are dietitians throughout their training and careers using a phenomenology framework. The study examines the meanings participants make about dietetics in relation to recruitment. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews with 6 men who are dietitians were completed, transcribed, and analyzed. Results: An overarching theme, "experiences and outcomes of a gendered profession", was related to the participants' perspectives concerning recruitment into the dietetic profession. Four sub-themes are reported: (i) societal gender division, (ii) gender division within the profession, (iii) isolation from men who are mentors and other men, and (iv) the need to deconstruct and change. The results provide insight into recruitment barriers and potential approaches for increasing the number of men within dietetics, including changing the perceptions of the profession, increasing role models for men, and dismantling gendered practices. Conclusion: Participants believed that increasing men within dietetics would be beneficial and would increase diversity. It is unlikely that recruitment of men will increase if the status quo and gender norms of the profession are not disrupted and challenged.

Evaluation of Learning in Oncology of Undergraduate Nursing with the Use of Concept Mapping

This study aims to identify whether the use of concept mapping (CM) strategy assists a student to extend and revise their expertise in oncology and analyze the abilities developed in a student in order to go through theoretical to practical knowledge. This study is descriptive and qualitative, with 20 undergraduate students of the Undergraduate Nursing Course of Paulista School of Nursing of Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. The critical incident technique and content analysis were used. There were 12 categories represented by facilities, difficulties, and learning applicability in oncology provided by CM strategy during the surgical and clinical nursing discipline. The graphics resource, CMapTools®, and the clinical case data arranged in mapping for resolution generated an active search and exercise of self-learning in oncology. Despite the challenges of the use of CM as a teaching strategy-pedagogical, the results suggested an increase of autonomy and clinical reasoning in nursing practice.

The influence of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse via the mediating effect of satisfaction with major: A cross-sectional study among chinese male nursing students

BACKGROUND

The gender-based stereotype of nursing as a female profession has been a large obstacle to men entering the nursing profession. However, there is little quantitative research on the influence of prejudice induced by this stereotype on male nursing students' willingness to be nurses.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse via the mediating effect of satisfaction with major among Chinese male nursing students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was used.

METHODS

Four hundred and sixty male nursing students who were enrolled either in bachelor's programs in universities or advanced diploma programs in colleges in Jinan, China, were surveyed using questionnaires measuring perceived prejudice, satisfaction with major, and willingness to be a nurse. Structural equation modeling with bias-corrected bootstrapping was employed to determine the influence of perceived prejudice on willingness to be a nurse with major satisfaction as a mediator.

RESULTS

Male students who were in an advanced diploma nursing program and those for whom nursing was the first-choice major reported significantly less perceived prejudice, greater satisfaction with major, and greater willingness to be nurses than did those in a bachelor's nursing program and those for whom nursing was not the first-choice major, respectively. Moreover, although perceived prejudice had no significant direct effect on willingness to be a nurse (β=0.07, p>0.05), it did have a strong indirect effect (full mediation) via satisfaction with major (β=-0.59, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived prejudice strongly influenced male nursing students' willingness to be nurses via the full mediating effect of satisfaction with major. Because this obsolete stereotype of nursing as a female occupation gives birth to prejudice against male nursing students, effective measures should be taken to change this stereotype to recruit more men as nursing staff.