Attracting men to nursing: Is graduate entry an answer?

Undergraduate nursing students challenge misconceptions towards men in nursing: A mixed-method study

AIMS

To examine misconceptions towards men in nursing from the perspective of undergraduate nursing students. Specifically, this study sought to explore contributing factors of misconceptions and attributions of the success of men in nursing.

DESIGN

A convergent parallel mixed-method study.

METHODS

A national survey was conducted (July-September 2021). The quantitative data included demographics and responses to the Gender Misconceptions of Men in Nursing (GEMINI) scale. The qualitative data included responses to a provocative statement related to characteristics of men and their career in nursing. The GRAMMS guideline was used in reporting.

RESULTS

Undergraduate nursing students (n = 1245) from 16 Australian schools of nursing responded to the survey. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that most students (96%) did not have misconceptions about men in nursing. Those who did were more likely to be men, born overseas, not in health-related employment and did not have nursing as their first choice. Four broad overarching main themes were generated in response to the statement that suggested men do not have the right attributes for nursing: (1) 'This is a very misandristic viewpoint'; (2) 'Compassion and intelligence are distributed in men and women equally'; (3) 'Men bring a different quality to nursing' (4) 'Anyone can be whatever they want to be'.

CONCLUSION

Overall, nursing students did not have misconceptions about men in nursing, despite experiencing ongoing social stigma regarding archaic gender norms. The findings from this study indicate that the next-generation nurses were championing to challenge the gender stereotype and support the needs of a gender diverse society.

IMPACT

Attitudes and misconceptions that elicit gender inequalities must be addressed with comprehensive strategies and de-gendered language and imagery within the profession, schools, workplaces and the media. Shifting culture and attitudes towards inclusion, values the diversity in the workforce and supports healthy workplace environments.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Why do male nurses choose to work in foreign countries? A qualitative study on Chinese male nurses working in Japan

Aim

This study aimed to examine foreign-educated male nurses' motivation to emigrate for work, as well as explore the contextual factors that shape their career trajectories.

Background

To that end, we interviewed Chinese male nurses working in Japan. No previous study has examined why male nurses seek employment abroad or the problems they face.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative and inductive research design. Sixteen Chinese male nurses working in Eastern and Western Japan were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods and were interviewed via video calls. Co-researchers of both genders from different occupational and cultural backgrounds coded the findings and identified common themes in participants' responses. We analysed our findings vis-à-vis various theoretical perspectives and developed an explanatory model.

Results

Participants' experience as nurses in Japan ranged from six months to eight years. The findings confirmed that factors identified in earlier reports influenced nurses' motivation and work. Two new factors emerged: influence by others and social reasons. Moreover, two factors that affected male nurses' motivation to work abroad, namely, external factors and the influence of others, were identified. Social reasons were identified as a pull factor.

Conclusion

Our study provides valuable insights into recruiting and retaining foreign male nurses in developed countries facing issues such as ageing populations and nursing shortages.

Implications for nursing policy

This study has important implications for nursing management. Our findings highlight the importance of orienting foreign-educated nurses regarding the local work culture to increase the recruitment and retention of foreign talent. Moreover, enhanced salary packages and benefits to improve motivation can lead to improved job performance, which can positively impact patient and safety outcomes.

The High School to Higher Education Pipeline Program: A focus on Black male representation in nursing

BACKGROUND

Increasing the number of Black men in nursing can enhance racial, ethnic, and gender diversity within the nursing workforce. However, there is a lack of nursing pipeline programs that specifically focus on Black men.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this article are to describe the High School to Higher Education (H2H) Pipeline Program as an approach to increasing representation of Black men in nursing and to describe H2H Program participants' perspectives of the program after the first year.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative approach was used to explore Black males' perceptions of the H2H Program. Twelve of the 17 program participants completed questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed to identify themes.

FINDINGS

Four themes emerged during data analysis regarding the participants' perspectives of the H2H Program: 1) Coming to realize, 2) Managing stereotypes, stigma, and social norms, 3) Making connections, and 4) Expressing gratitude.

CONCLUSION

Results indicated that the H2H Program provided participants with a support network that fostered a sense of belonging. The H2H Program was beneficial for program participants in their development and engagement in nursing.

Gender similarities and differences in the perception of caring among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Caring is the essence and core of nursing. Current studies on the effect of gender on nurses' perception of caring have been inconsistent. Most of these studies were quantitative and conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to explore the gender similarities and differences in nurses' perception of caring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

In 2020, a cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted in 11 cities in China using structured online questionnaire (n = 8030) and face-to-face individual interview (n = 42). Data collection tools included the Caring Dimensions Inventory and semi-structured interview.

RESULTS

In stepwise multivariable linear regression analysis, female nurses scored 1.93 points higher on caring than male nurses, after completely controlling for the other factors. The interview results showed that both male and female nurses agreed that caring was to deal with three kinds of relationships, namely nurses and people, nurses and themselves, nurses and society. There were gender differences in the connotation of caring between nurses and themselves, but not in the connotations of caring between other relationships. The ranking of the importance of caring connotations among these relationships showed no gender difference except between nurses and themselves.

CONCLUSION

The quantitative findings suggest that gender influences nurses' perception of caring. The qualitative findings demonstrate that nurses regard themselves as both recipients and implementers of caring. The qualitative results indicate nurses of different genders have similarities and differences in their perception of caring, and the biggest difference lies in the relationship between nurses and themselves.

Learning experiences of first year graduate entry nursing students in New Zealand and Australia: a qualitative case study

BACKGROUND

Graduate entry nursing programmes provide students with an accelerated pathway to becoming a registered nurse. Motivations for study, together with commonly shared characteristics of students enrolling in such programmes is becoming well documented, however, their experiences of studying for a professional qualification in this manner is less understood. As a means of maintaining the relevance of these fast-tracked programmes in the future, an understanding of graduate entry nursing students' experiences of academic teaching and clinical placements is imperative.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the academic and clinical experiences of students enrolled in the first year of graduate entry nursing programmes in New Zealand and Australia.

METHODS

A qualitative case study approach was taken. Here we report the experiences of nine students enrolled in their first year of a two-year graduate entry nursing programme during 2020. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Three overarching themes were developed-affirmation, reflections on expectations and clinical experiences.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the experiences of first year graduate entry nursing students, with many experiencing affirmation that their altruistic career visions came to fruition. The findings indicate that these graduate-entry nursing students interviewed for this study tended to be flexible and adaptable in their approach to study as a means of meeting the challenges of the programme, all of which are key characteristics for a registered nurse; with personal growth and the development of the self, providing preparation for their second year of study.

Mental health status and its associated factors among female nurses in the normalization of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control in China

Objective

To investigate mental health status and its associated factors among female nurses in the normalization of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control in China.

Methods

Random cluster sampling was applied to recruit 740 female nurses in China. The respondents completed the survey with mobile devices. Demographic questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Index, and The Impact of Event Scale-Revised were used to assess demographic Information, anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD symptoms, respectively. The associated factors of mental health status were identified by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 7.9 and 17.8%, respectively. Insomnia was an associated factor of anxiety (OR = 6.237, 95%CI = 6.055-23.761, P < 0.001) and depression (OR = 9.651, 95%CI = 5.699-22.370, P < 0.001), while PTSD was an associated factor of anxiety (OR = 11.995, 95%CI = 2.946-13.205, P < 0.001) and depression (OR = 11.291, 95%CI = 6.056-15.380, P < 0.001), Being married was a protective factor of depression (OR = 0.811, 95%CI = 1.309-6.039, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Female nurses showed problems in mental health. Insomnia, PTSD and marital status were associated with mental health. The hospital management should pay more attention to the unmarried groups, and strive to improve the sleep quality of female nurses and reduce their stress caused by traumatic events.

Lack of awareness of nursing as a career choice for men: A qualitative descriptive study

AIMS

This research aimed to identify the factors that impact why men do not view nursing as a career choice.

DESIGN

Qualitative description was utilized to capture the rich narratives and insight of participants.

METHODS

Through convenience sampling, nine New Zealand qualified male nurses within their first three years of practice were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2019 and January 2020 via zoom from sites across New Zealand. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, with the data analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The findings reflected the experiences of the research participants as they made sense of a predominantly female-dominated work environment both during their undergraduate training and prior to recruitment. The research identified two key themes: The first found that men in nursing experienced isolation due to the societal gendering of nursing influencing the participant's knowledge and understanding of what nursing was, as a career. The second theme found that for participants, nursing was not prominent in their awareness when leaving school and making career choices.

CONCLUSION

This research indicates that nursing as a career choice for men is still underpinned by a lack of understanding of the actual role of the nurse and what nurses do, and is more supported by a societal perception that nursing is still a feminized profession. Findings can be used to make recommendations for change in the profession to strengthen diversity in the workforce and redefine the recruitment of men into nursing.

IMPACT

This research reviewed the career choices of men in nursing and why they chose nursing as a profession. Understanding the barriers of why men do not consider nursing as a career choice assists with finding strategies in both the clinical and academic environments that can enable greater gender diversity within the nursing profession.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This applies to this research as the focus was on male registered nurses only.

Men in the service of humanity: Sociocultural perceptions of the nursing profession in South Africa

Background. The classification of nursing as a female-gendered profession, along with patriarchally determined cultural gender roles, makes it difficult for men to select nursing as a career and to excel in their caring capacity as nurses.Objective. To gain in-depth insights into and an understanding of male nursing students’ perceptions of the nursing profession.Methods. A generic qualitative approach, which was explorative, descriptive and contextual, was used to conduct the study. Sixteen male nursing students at two nursing education institutions in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, were purposively sampled to participate in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and unstructured observation. Thereafter, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. Three main themes were developed from the interview data. The participants perceived nursing as the extension of women’s work, with low social status ‒ nursing is not considered to be a profession for men. During the provision of nursing care, feelings of discomfort and embarrassment were experienced. They feared misinterpretation of their care, especially when caring for the naked body when alone with a patient. They resorted to the use of cautious caring, where they do not provide physical care alone, but seek support, especially from female nurses. Conclusion. Male nursing students require role models to support them in their academic journey towards becoming competent practitioners. A male-friendly environment should be created to enable them to provide quality nursing care to all patients. The society needs to be empowered in understanding that men choose the nursing profession to provide care, and that they are capable of caring for the sick.

Performative Masculinity: A META-Ethnography of Experiences of Men in Academic and Clinical Nursing

Gender differences and stereotypes have been widely studied. Performative masculinity or "doing gender" is the adoption of traits considered to be "masculine" to achieve acceptance in society. Performative masculinity, as it relates to career development for men in nursing, could be affected by internal attitudes and career choice, and external influences of culture. There are no critical systematic reviews to describe this process. The aim of this study was to synthesize research on how men in nursing experience masculine identity at work. A systematic literature search and qualitative synthesis using meta-ethnography guided this study. The literature search included studies from the electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, and Airiti Library, published in English or Chinese from 1994 to 2016. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-syntheses identified three themes describing how men in nursing experience masculine identity at work: (1) Nursing could be a gendered-neutral occupation suitable to both genders; (2) performative masculinity; and (3) strategies used when providing bodywork and care. Exploring insights about the tensions of performative masculinity among men in nursing, this study may help to address the challenges encountered in nursing education, practice, and career development. Establishing a male nursing model based on evidence from academic and clinical practice for nursing students and professional nurses could help to meet the increasing demand for nurses.

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.

Emotional Intelligence Scale for Male Nursing Students and Its Latent Regression on Gender and Background Variables

This study aimed to develop an emotional intelligence (EI) scale for male nursing students and investigate its associations with gender, age, religious beliefs, and father’s and mother’s education level. We recruited 384 male nursing students in Taiwan to construct an EI scale comprising 16 items with four factors: recognizing the emotions of others, emotional self-awareness, self-emotional expression, and self-emotional management. The scale had factor loadings of 0.64−0.80. The reliability coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.80 to 0.84, while that for the total scale was 0.93. We also recruited 402 female nursing students for comparison. Latent multiple regression of the EI factors showed that male students had higher self-emotional expression but lower self-emotional management than females. Age was negatively associated with self-emotional management for both genders. Religious beliefs were negatively associated with emotional self-awareness in male students, and with recognizing the emotions of others in females. Father’s and mother’s education had no association with EI in male students; however, father’s education was positively associated with all EI factors in females, and mother’s education was negatively associated with recognizing the emotions of others and self-emotional expression. These results provide insight into male nursing students’ EI and the background variables influencing EI.

Gender and ethnicity's influence on first-year nursing students' educational motivation and career expectations: A cross-sectional study

AIM

Given the apparent link between gender and ethnicity, and the diversity and career opportunities in nursing, this study examined gender and ethnicity's influence on first-year nursing students' educational motivation and career expectations.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Through bootstrapped linear regressions, we analysed data on 504 Norwegian first-year nursing students' self-reported educational motivation and career expectations, from the StudData survey at the Centre for the Study of Professions (SPS) at Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet).

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 67 (13%) male and 437 (87%) female nursing students. Female students were more motivated compared to male students by professional interest and to pursue a specialization, less likely to assume leadership positions in the future, and more likely to prioritize family and pursue positions in the traditional nursing field. In total, 425 (84%) respondents stated a Norwegian background. Respondents who stated that both of their parents were born in a country other than Norway made up the 79 (16%) students of immigrant background. Those with immigrant backgrounds were more motivated than other students by income, status and flexible working hours and less likely to pursue a specialization or future employment in the nursing field.

Emotion management and stereotypes about emotions among male nurses: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nursing requires a high load of emotional labour. The link between nursing, emotional labour and the female sex, complicates the figure of the male nurse, because masculinity is associated with physical or technical (rather than emotional) and moreover is defined in contrast to femininity. Our objective was to understand how emotion management is described by male nurses who work in the paediatrics department of a Spanish tertiary hospital.

METHODS

Qualitative descriptive study. The participants were selected through intentional sampling in the paediatrics department of a Spanish tertiary hospital. We conducted semi-structured interviews until reaching data saturation. We carried out a content analysis, using Lincoln and Guba's definition of scientific rigour.

RESULTS

We identified two key themes in the data: 1) Stereotypes related to the emotional aspects of care: Participants took for granted some gender stereotypes while questioning others and defended alternative ways of managing emotions related to care. 2) Emotion management strategies: Participants described keeping an emotional distance, setting boundaries, relativising problems and using distraction and humour.

DISCUSSION

Nursing care is conditioned by gender roles and stereotypes that present men as less capable than women of feeling and managing emotions. However, emotion management is necessary in nursing care-especially in paediatrics-and our participants reported using strategies for it. Although participants continued to interpret care in terms of traditional roles, they contradicted them in adapting to the emotional labour that their job requires.

CONCLUSIONS

New behaviours are emerging among male nurses, in which care and emotion management are not exclusively the purview of women. Our participants reproduced some gender stereotypes while disrupting others, and they tended to cling to the stereotypes that were favourable to them as male nurses. As we work towards a gender-neutral profession, these results represent a first step: male participants reported that they provide care and manage their emotions as well as (or better than) women. However, because they substantiated their claims by drawing on negative stereotypes of women, further progress must be made.

Men's Decision-Making to Become Nurses: Gendered Influences and Fit With Gender Role Conflict Theory

Patriarchy has been offered as the foundational paradigm for gendered issues in nursing; however, operationalization of this paradigm in order to improve nursing workforce gender diversity is challenging. The qualitative arm of the present study explored men's decision-making to become nurses within a larger gendered context. Findings were then assessed for fit with Gender Role Conflict Theory. Findings suggest that men undergo a process in which contrasting influences are considered. The findings' congruence with gender role conflict theoretical assumptions suggests suitable conceptual fit for male recruitment and retention actions and further research.

Clinical Work and Life of Mid-Career Male Nurses: A Qualitative Study

In Korea, about 3000 qualified male nurses enter the clinical nursing field annually; however, they face challenges in long-term job retention in general hospitals. Therefore, this study characterized the work and life experiences of mid-career male nurses engaged in clinical nursing care. Participants were nine registered nurses with a minimum of five years' work experience in a general hospital in Korea. Data were collected through face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. A phenomenological qualitative design was used with Colaizzi's data analysis method. Three categories, eight theme clusters, and seventeen themes were revealed. The three categories were "limitations and adaptation to work performance", "interpersonal difficulties and coping", and "facing reality and preparing for the future". Findings suggested that mid-career male nurses were considering transitioning to other job roles. These findings help clarify the clinical work experience of mid-career male nurses and their difficulties with job retention. The results provide basic data that may inform the design of policies to practically support male nurses in preserving their careers.

Kirkpatrick Model Evaluation of Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Programs: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

This scoping review examined the outcomes of accelerated second-degree baccalaureate and master of nursing programs using the Kirkpatrick four-level model.

METHOD

A systematic search of four major scientific databases identified 15 articles meeting study inclusion criteria. The articles were assessed for educational outcomes, and extracted data were organized according to the four-level Kirkpatrick model consisting of reaction, learning, behavior, and results.

RESULTS

Both second-degree baccalaureate and master of nursing program students showed strong academic achievement, high employment rates, and high program satisfaction but reported lack of perceived preparedness for a clinical position. No studies evaluated the long-term impacts of the programs on graduates' clinical practice or patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Accelerated second-degree nursing programs quickly and efficiently produce licensed nurses. The care provided by the graduates of these accelerated programs needs to be investigated in both short- and long-term to better determine overall program effectiveness. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):265-271.].

What Motivates People to Start a Graduate Entry Nursing Programme: An Interpretive Multi-Centred Case Study

Introduction

While graduate entry nursing programmes are well established in the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA), they are relatively new to New Zealand and Australia. These programmes have been developed to meet the demands of the health workforce and provide graduates an alternative pathway to becoming a RN. Nursing is viewed as an attractive career option for this growing market of graduate entry students.

Objective

This study explored the motivations underpinning students choosing a graduate entry MNSc degree over a traditional undergraduate nursing programme.

Methods

A qualitative, longitudinal single case study design, informed by Yin was used. The first phase of the study is reported here. All students commencing a MNSc degree at the beginning of 2020 across four education providers (3 in New Zealand & 1 in Australia) were eligible to take part in the study. Ten students agreed to take part and undertake an interview. Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data.

Results

Three key themes of motivation were identified from the data: the attraction of nursing; the clarity nursing offers in terms of career progression; and the design of the intensive programme.

Conclusions

The motivations to choose a MNSc degree were deeply considered, multifaceted, and influenced by nursing role models. Students wanting to engage with a graduate entry MNSc programme did so through a reflective process of assessing their current career status and future career values. Participants in this study believed nursing would provide a secure and sustainable career path, potentially creating new horizons or possibilities beyond their previous work and life experiences. Having insight into what motivates individuals to enrol in such programmes may assist both education providers and the health sector with RN graduate recruitment and graduate entry programme enrolment.

What motivates people to commence a graduate entry nursing programme: a mixed method scoping review

Background

The global deficit of nurses demands urgent attention in the recruitment and education of this future workforce. Graduate entry nursing (GEN) programmes are one option for people with undergraduate degrees who are seeking nursing education. Determining the key motivations for enrolling in these programmes will support the development of new initiatives in the education sector to both recruit and retain this future workforce and inform future primary research. This scoping review aims to comprehensively describe what motivates graduates to enrol in GEN programmes.

Methods

Peer reviewed studies of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research investigating motivations to commence a graduate entry nursing programme were included, following a pre-determined protocol. Electronic databases searched included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Emcare, ERIC, Medline and Scopus. Screening, data extraction and analysis was initially in duplicate and independent, then consensus reached. Qualitative and quantitative data was analysed and reported separately then combined thematically as a narrative synthesis in a convergent segregated approach. Reporting followed preferred reporting guidelines for scoping reviews.

Results

Of the 491 studies retrieved in July 2020, across the five databases and reference list search, six met the inclusion criteria. Four were qualitative studies, one mixed-methods, and one quantitative, respectively from Australia, USA, and New Zealand. Four themes of motivation were identified: 1) finding meaning and purpose through altruism and caring; 2) seeking a satisfying career, 3) looking for a change in direction and, 4) reduced financial burden due to course length and provision of scholarships.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of studies specifically seeking to investigate student motivations for enrolling in a GEN programme and only limited studies giving insights into motivators for enrolling in a GEN programme, therefore this scoping review contributes new understandings on the reason’s students choose GEN programmes. These are both altruistic and practical and include personal desires to help others, the need to pursue a satisfying and meaningful career and the shorter period out of the workforce offered by an accelerated programme of study.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-021-00564-9.

Experiences and perceptions of male nursing students in a single-sex class: A qualitative descriptive study

The shortage of human resources in nursing is a global challenge, and males may play an important role in alleviating this shortage, especially in China. Just as single-sex education has a potentially positive impact on women in male-dominated professions, it may also have the same impact on men in nursing, which may promote male engagement in nursing. This study delved into the experiences and perceptions that are peculiar to male nursing students in a single-sex class. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed using conventional content analysis. A purposive sample of 12 male nursing students in a male-only class of a university in China participated. Individual semi-structured interviews were performed between January and March 2019. Data analysis revealed five themes. Considering the negative peer influence and potential communication barriers of a male-only nursing class, establishing a male nursing student alliance instead of a male-only nursing class may be a better choice. In Asian culture, reconstructing the current social norms of gender is crucial to eliminating prejudice and male dividends and changing the definitions of masculinity, all of which are conducive to the development of male involvement in nursing.

Perceptions of male students in a baccalaureate nursing program: A qualitative study

Prominent nursing organizations globally have called for a concerted effort to increase diversity in nursing education. While the number of men in the nursing workforce in the United States has increased slowly over the past five decades, the proportion of men in the profession remains low in comparison to the U.S. population. In response to research indicating a less-than-optimal experience for male nursing students, faculty and students embarked on a collaborative effort to improve the experience of this student population. This paper explores the reasons that men choose to enter nursing as well as the lived experience of men in a baccalaureate prelicensure nursing program in the United States. The purpose of the study was to determine if progress had been made toward a shared goal of an improved experience for male students. Of the 19 male students who met the inclusion criteria, 13 students agreed to participate in the descriptive phenomenological study. Findings of this study indicate that previous interventions aimed at creating a more welcoming environment for male nursing students at the research site have been moderately successful. Clinically, it is evident that there is still more work left to be done, specifically regarding the maternal-newborn clinical experience.

Graduate entry to nursing: An exploration of the demographic characteristics of New Zealand students

This paper describes the characteristics of student enrolled in New Zealand's first Graduate Entry to Practice (GEN) programme. Data were collected from students enrolled in the first five cohorts of the programme from 2014 to 2018 (n = 93). In total 69 students responded to an on-line, self-report survey, resulting in a 74% return rate. The majority of respondents were female (87%, n = 60), aged 21-30 (68%, n = 47) and New Zealand European (77%, n = 53). The educational background of respondents ranged from theology, to marine biology and more commonly science based degrees. Their motivation for entering nursing was to work in a diverse and caring profession with many wanting to eventually move to advanced practice roles. A key finding was that the students considered that the primary role of the nurse was the provision of holistic care to both the patient and their family. The majority wish to start their nursing careers in the acute hospital based areas of care provision.

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 working experiences of male nurses in China: Implications for male nurse recruitment and retention

AIMS

To understand the working experiences and career trajectories of male nurses in China.

BACKGROUND

Compared with developed countries, men were far more under-represented in the nursing profession in China. Little is known about the working experiences of Chinese male nurses and the contextual factors that contribute to their low participation rate in the nursing profession.

METHODS

In-depth interviews with twenty-five male nurses and two hospital administrators were conducted. All interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Chinese male nurses had better career prospects and promotion chances compared with female nurses. The extremely low participation rate of men in nursing was related to the prejudice among the general public as well as the low professional status and salary. Two unique contextual factors influenced the career trajectories of male nurses in China: (1) the major assignment mechanism in the college entrance examination and (2) the implementation of the two-child policy.

CONCLUSION

Although Chinese male nurses enjoyed many advantages compared with female nurses, they also encountered many difficulties related to working in a female-dominated profession.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Appropriate measures should be taken to shift public attitudes towards male nurses, improve the professionalization of nursing and promote gender diversity and equity.

An exploration of the influences on under-representation of male pre-registration nursing students

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, men are under-represented in the nursing profession. In Scotland less than 10% of pre-registration nursing students are male. Reasons for this imbalance need to be understood.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the views of male pre-registration nursing students, nursing lecturers and school teachers about this imbalance.

DESIGN

Mixed methods study using focus groups and online survey.

SETTINGS

Focus groups in four locations across Scotland. Online survey sent to teachers across Scotland.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Eight focus groups with 33 male nursing students; four focus groups with 21 university and college nursing lecturers; 46 school teachers returned the online survey.

RESULTS

Although nursing was considered a worthwhile career with job stability and many opportunities, it was also viewed as not being a career for men. Assumptions about the profession and femininity were challenging for men and use of the term 'male nurse' was felt to be anomalous. In some circumstances the provision of intimate care to particular patient groups caused difficulty. Positive encouragement from others, a positive role model or knowledge of nursing from significant others could be helpful. However concerns about low earning potential and negative media publicity about the NHS could be a disincentive. Being mature and having resilience were important to cope with being a male nursing student in a mainly female workplace. Some more 'technical' specialties were felt to be more attractive to men.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing is viewed as a worthwhile career choice for men, but the gendered assumptions about the feminine nature of nursing can be a deterrent.

Nurse Perceptions of Artists as Collaborators in Interprofessional Care Teams

Increased attention is being given to interprofessional collaboration in healthcare, which has been shown to improve patient satisfaction, patient safety, healthcare processes, and health outcomes. As the arts and artists are being more widely incorporated into healthcare settings throughout the world, professional artists are contributing to interprofessional care teams. A secondary directed content analysis of interviews with 31 nurses on a medical-surgical care unit investigated the roles and impacts of professional artists on the interprofessional care team. The investigation utilized established domains of interprofessional care, including values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams and teamwork, and created the domain of quality of care. Findings suggest that artists are valued by nurses as members of the interprofessional care team, that they enhance the provision of patient-centered care, and that they improve quality of care by providing holistic dimensions of caring, including cognitive and social engagement, and meaningful interaction. The presence of artists on interprofessional teams provides a cost-effective and welcome resource for clinical staff and builds a culture in which creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration are more highly valued and activated.