What motivates men to choose nursing as a profession? A systematic review of qualitative studies

Reliability and validity evaluation of the Chinese version of the gender misconceptions of men in nursing (GEMINI) scale among nursing students

BACKGROUND

Misconceptions about male nurses not only exacerbate the gender imbalance in the nursing profession but also negatively impact male nurses embarking on their careers. Currently, no tool exists to measure the gender biases toward males in nursing among nursing students in China. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of the Chinese translation of the Gender Misconceptions of Men in Nursing (GEMINI) scale among nursing students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 1,102 nursing students from China who participated online. We utilized the Brislin translation technique with a forward-backward approach. To determine the factor structure within the Men in Nursing Gender Misconceptions Scale's Chinese version, both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied. The scale's internal consistency was measured through the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, corrected item-total correlation, and a retest reliability assessment.

RESULTS

The scale showed a content validity index of 0.938 and a retest reliability of 0.844. EFA indicated a two-factor structure for the translated instrument. CFA revealed a chi-square/degree of freedom of 3.837, an incremental fit index (IFI) of 0.952, a goodness-of-fit index (GFI) of 0.910, a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.952, and an RMSEA of 0.073, all of which were within acceptable limits. The scale's Cronbach's α was 0.953, and the corrected item-total correlations ranged between 0.539 and 0.838. Gender-based misconceptions about men in nursing among students appeared to be influenced by their gender and whether they considered a nursing program as their first choice when applying for a major. Misconceptions about male nurses are greater among men and those who do not consider nursing programs as their first choice when applying for a major.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese adaptation of the GEMINI scale showcased high reliability and validity. It stands as a potential instrument to gauge gender misconceptions concerning male nurses among Chinese nursing students.

Men in Female-Dominated Nursing Specialties

While numbers of men in the nursing profession have slowly increased, men in female-dominated specialty areas have not changed. Male nurses and nursing students encounter gender bias and discrimination in certain specialty nursing environments. This has implications for the quality of care provided, parental engagement, and job satisfaction. By diversifying the nursing workforce, there is a potential to enhance patient comfort, improve satisfaction, and promote a more inclusive, creative, and patient-focused health care environment.

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.

Negative association between workplace violence and patient safety behaviour in male, but not female, nursing interns: A cross-section study

AIM

The aim of the study was to compare the associations between workplace violence and patient safety behaviour between male and female nursing interns.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was carried out at three general hospitals in Shandong Province in China to collect data from 466 nursing interns. We evaluated the associations between workplace violence and patient safety behaviours in men and women using multiple linear regressions.

RESULTS

Sex moderated the association between workplace violence and patient safety behaviour (B = 1.046, [SE = 0.477]; p = 0.029). Among male nursing interns, there was a significant association between workplace violence and patient safety (B = -1.353, 95% CI [-2.556, -0.151]; p = 0.028). In male nursing interns, verbal violence and sexual violence were significantly negatively associated with patient safety (B = -1.569, SE = 0.492, p = 0.002; B = -45.663, SE = 5.554, p < 0.001). No significant association was found in female nursing interns.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This study did not have a patient or public contribution.

Iranian nursing applicants' perception of the nursing profession: A qualitative study

AIM

This study was conducted to describe the perceptions of nursing applicants about their chosen profession and to explore the factors which influenced their understanding.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with a conventional content analysis design.

METHODS

Participants were 19 nursing applicants enrolling in nursing schools in three provinces of western Iran. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The content analysis of the interviews was done according to the steps proposed by Zhang and Wildemuth.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 20 years (SD = 2.5), and 11 of them (57.9%) were females. Participants understood the nature of nursing work to encompass only a limited level of independence; they viewed it as a feminine profession, and as a job with spiritual rewards. The perceived content of nursing work included providing help and patient care in the hospital with a focus on performing procedural tasks. Applicants' perceptions of nurses' characteristics included strong physical endurance, communication skills, emotional strength and low intellectual skills. The professional status of nursing was perceived simultaneously as having high job security but limited potential for career advancement and professional growth. The factors reported to influence applicants' perceptions were related to the media, academic-career counsellors, personal factors, and family and friends.

Barriers and facilitators to enrolling in nursing programs as perceived by male students: a qualitative study in the United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVES

Despite the cultural challenges and stigma associated with nursing in the United Arab Emirates, there has been an increase in male nursing students. It is therefore important to understand barriers and facilitators that influence their decision to choose nursing education.

METHODS

This qualitative study used purposive sampling to recruit 30 male undergraduate students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analyzed with thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Ten themes were identified that described barriers and facilitators to choosing nursing programs as perceived by male students. Four themes reflected barriers and six themes were identified that encompassed facilitators to choosing nursing programs.

CONCLUSIONS

For international audiences, our findings could be helpful in enhancing both the recruitment and educational opportunities for male nursing students. Male students may be inspired to pursue the nursing profession by the presence of men in the profession and favorable male role models. Effort is needed to recruit male role models in nursing schools.

The Experience of Being Male Nurse: Exploring the Enhancing Factors and Barriers of Jordanian Nursing Students

Introduction

Despite advances in health care and education, males continue to be considered a minority in nursing programs. Little is known about the decision of Jordanian male nursing students to become nurses.

Objective

The purpose of this research was to explore the factors that encourage or discourage Jordanian male nursing students from pursuing a career in nursing.

Methods

A qualitative narrative approach was used for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews. Purposive sampling was used in the research. In this study, interviews were conducted with a sample of 28 male college students.

Results

The current study discovered that the following six themes exemplified the male nursing students' lives: "helping and caring," "job security and economic stability," "parents and peer influence," "level of autonomy," "social stigma," and "long working hours."

Conclusion

The study's findings highlighted the importance of researching male nursing students' motivating and inhibiting factors.

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.

Listening to the minority: A qualitative study exploring male students' perceptions of the nursing profession and reasons for choosing nursing as a career

INTRODUCTION

Nursing is a rapidly growing profession that has traditionally been dominated by women. Research has highlighted various challenges associated with increasing the number of male nurses, such as cultural challenges and stigma related to nursing. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced an increase in male students enrolling in nursing programs. To ensure this is sustainable, it is important to understand how male students perceive nursing and clarify factors that influence their decision to choose nursing as a career.

OBJECTIVES

To explore male nursing students' perspectives of the nursing profession and understand why they chose nursing as a career.

METHODS

Participants in this qualitative analysis were 30 male students that were selected using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data about participants' experiences. We used a qualitative content analysis to guide the data analysis.

RESULTS

Three main themes were identified that described male students' perspectives of and reasons for choosing nursing: (1) perceptions of nurses and nursing profession; (2) individuals as facilitators or role models in choosing the nursing profession; and (3) barriers to choosing the nursing profession.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our results regarding barriers and facilitators for male students in choosing to study nursing may be useful to help improve the recruitment of and learning opportunities for male nursing students. Highlighting the male presence in the nursing profession and positive male role models may encourage males to enter the profession. Therefore, understanding the experiences of male nursing students in choosing nursing as a career has important implications for nursing practice and education.

Development and psychometric testing of the gender misconceptions of men in nursing (GEMINI) scale among nursing students

BACKGROUND

Misconceptions about men in nursing may influence recruitment and retention, further perpetuating the gender diversity imbalance in the nursing workforce. Identifying misconceptions and implementing early intervention strategies to address these deep-rooted stereotypes remain challenging but is considered critical to support students who are commencing a nursing career.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the 'Gender Misconceptions of meN in nursIng (GEMINI) Scale.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Pre-registration nursing students enrolled in undergraduate nursing programs across 16 nursing institutions in Australia were surveyed from July to September 2021. The 17-item self-report GEMINI Scale measured the gender misconceptions of men in nursing.

RESULTS

Of the 1410 completed surveys, data from 683 (45%) women were used for exploratory factor analysis showing a one factor structure, while data from 727 men (47%) were used for confirmatory factor analysis of the 17-item GEMINI Scale, which showed a good model fit. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.892). Men were found to have higher gender misconceptions (p < 0.001) while respondents who: a) identified nursing as their first career choice (p = 0.002); b) were in their final year of program enrolment (p = 0.016); and c) engaged in health-related paid work (p = 0.002) had lower gender misconceptions.

CONCLUSION

The GEMINI Scale is a robust, valid, reliable, and easy to administer tool to assess misconceptions about men in nursing, which may potentially influence academic performance and retention. Identifying and addressing specific elements of misconceptions could inform targeted strategies to support retention and decrease attrition among these students.

IMPACT STATEMENT

Genderism harms nursing, as well as the men and women working in the profession. Recruitment and retention of men into nursing is needed to cultivate male role models and diversify the workforce, however this is impeded by negative portrayals in popular culture and misconceptions entrenched in society.

Recruiting males to the nursing profession: acceptability testing of the 'Make a Difference with Nursing' intervention for post-primary school students

Background

The nursing profession is facing a worldwide recruitment shortage which could be partially addressed by recruiting more males. However, in many developed countries numbers of male nurses have traditionally been low. To address this issue we developed and tested a post-primary school-based intervention to recruit more males into the nursing profession.

Methods

Participants included thirty-four  female students drawn from an all-girls post-primary school, fifty-one males from an all-boys post-primary school and seven males and fifteen females drawn from a mixed gender post-primary school, all located in Northern Ireland. Participants were all sixteen years of age and were in receipt of careers education. The intervention titled ‘Make a Difference with Nursing’ was co-designed with careers teachers, nurses and post-primary school students. This video based intervention was created to fit within existing career lessons and featured nursing staff and students describing their experiences of the profession. Participants completed the six domains of Nursing as a Career Choice Questionnaire prior to viewing the intervention and again after viewing.

Results

Positive and statistically significant increases in perceptions of the nursing profession were found between pre and post test scores across all six domains. No statistically significant differences in perceptions were found between males and females after watching the intervention. Comparison by school type showed statistically significant differences on the domains of prior healthcare exposure (p = 0.046; 95% CI -0.19 to 3.79) and job prospects (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.04 to 7.01). Students from the all-girls school rated these more positively than those from the all-boys and mixed-gender schools.

Conclusions

A short video presentation to post-primary school students is capable of changing how they perceive the nursing profession. Students expressed surprise over the variety of professional nursing roles suggesting that many were not well informed about the realities of nursing. Providing tailored resources for use in careers lessons can better educate students and teachers about nursing and provide positive portrayals of male role models in the profession.

Exploring the Gender-Related Perceptions of Male Nursing Students in Clinical Placement in the Asian Context: A Qualitative Study

The lack of gender diversity in the nursing profession has long been recognized as a cause for concern. Female nurses in many practice settings across nations continue to outnumber their male counterparts. Male nursing students may have perceived differences in the way they are treated in clinical practice; however, limited studies have been conducted to determine the unique perspectives of these students in terms of gender bias in their clinical learning. To address this knowledge gap, this study employed a qualitative descriptive approach to explore the experiences of male nursing students in clinical learning in an Asian context. Specifically, we examined the insights emerging from the thoughts and feelings of male nursing students from interactions with their clinical mentors, patients, and peers in their encounters during their clinical placement. From November 2019 to July 2020, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 22 male participants aged 21–30 years (mean age: 22.7), enrolled in a prelicensure Bachelor of Nursing (honors) program in Hong Kong. Four themes emerged after a qualitative content analysis: (1) while the School of Nursing welcomes men, clinical settings are another story due to pragmatic considerations; (2) you are welcomed because you may be seen as a helper with greater physical strength; (3) male nursing students feel alienated in the obstetrics and gynecology practicum; (4) more male role models are desired in the clinical setting. Our findings indicate the need to promote gender awareness among faculty and clinical mentors, understand the factors hindering and facilitating the clinical practicum for male nursing students, improve the male nursing experience during the maternity practicum, and ensure access to more male role models to boost role socialization and learning.

Public image of the profession is associated with the choice of nursing career among Arab high school students: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

The aim of this study is to examine (a) public image of nursing and the intention to choose nursing as a future career and (b) the relationship between the public image, gender roles and the choice of the nursing career among Arab high school students.

BACKGROUND

School graduates from the Arab sector represent an important social group with the potential to provide quality candidates for the nursing profession in Israel.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 138 high school students from two Arab schools in Israel completed a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

One third of the sample intended to choose nursing as a future career. Students from families with a higher level of paternal education and those exposed to the work of nurses perceived nursing as more positive. The profession's public image contributed to the explanation of 21% of the variance of the intention to choose a nursing career.

CONCLUSION

A positive public image of nursing contributes to decisions about choosing a nursing career in the future among Arab high school students.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

School graduates may be influenced by providing information and presenting the role of a nurse as significant, as well as by emphasizing the positive image of nursing to parents and influential people in the Arab community.

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.

Perceptions of student accoucheurs regarding gender inequality in midwifery training at Free State maternal healthcare institutions

Background

Worldwide, gender inequality has been a dominating factor in the training of student accoucheurs in most maternal healthcare institutions. This poses challenges for the maternal healthcare institutions where student accoucheurs are placed for clinical practice as most women become reluctant or refuse to accept their services. Gender inequality has a negative impact on the training of student accoucheurs as most of them become demotivated which could lead to a high attrition rate.

Objectives

This study explored and described the perceptions of student accoucheurs regarding gender inequality in midwifery training at the Free State maternal healthcare institutions.

Method

An explorative and descriptive qualitative research design was undertaken. There were 40 student accoucheurs that formed 10 focus group discussions. Each focus group discussion had four participants. Tesch’s eight-steps of data analysis was used to analyse data.

Results

Three major themes emerged during data analysis: meeting the training requirements in midwifery, women’s autonomy in a choice of healthcare provider versus student accoucheurs’ autonomy to be trained in midwifery and staff establishment to render maternal healthcare.

Conclusion

The participants perceived prejudice, rejection and resistance by women in maternity units as a contributing factor to gender inequality, which has a negative impact on their training in midwifery. The study recommends that health directorates, nurse managers and training institutions should consider revising maternal healthcare policies regarding the recruitment and placement of willing accoucheurs in maternity units in order to address gender inequality.

Experiences and Motivations of Male Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

INTRODUCTION

Nurses make up the largest portion of the health care system throughout the world, hence, making the profession the backbone of health care. The nursing workforce is made up of both males and females. However, the majority of nurses are predominately females with the number of male nurses reported to be unappreciable.

OBJECTIVE

The study therefore aimed to explore the experiences and motivation of male nurses in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive research design was employed to explore the lived experiences of male nurses. A total of 20 male nurses were purposively selected, and in-depth interviews were conducted with a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

The findings revealed 2 major themes: motivation and experiences of male nurses. The subthemes were individual motivations, external influence, intersecting social reactions and public perceptions, mixed encounters with patients, and satisfaction with the profession.

CONCLUSION

Male nurses are motivated to a large extent to be part of the nursing profession but will be deeply involved in the profession if some factors affecting them are addressed. Future studies may address the roles of nurse managers in mentoring more males to be involved in the nursing profession.

Male Nurses' Dealing with Tensions and Conflicts with Patients and Physicians: A Theoretically Framed Analysis

Proposes

Delivery of healthcare involves engagements of patients, nurses and other health professionals. The Social Identity Theory (SIT) can provide a lens to investigate intergroup interactions. This study explores how male nurses deal with intergroup tensions and conflicts with patients and physicians when delivering healthcare.

Methods

A collaborative qualitative research study was conducted by two research teams, with one from Mainland China and the other from Macau. Twenty-four male nurses were recruited, with 12 from each of the two regions. A similar guide was used by the two teams to conduct in-depth interviews with the participants. Thematic analysis was used, and SIT guided the data analysis and interpretation of the results.

Results

Four themes identified are related to nurse/patient relationships: respecting patients’ decisions, neglecting minor offenses, defending dignity, taking a dominant position; two themes are related to nurse/physician relationships: rationalizing physicians’ superiority over nurses, establishing relationships with physicians by interpersonal interactions.

Conclusion

Male nurses avoid confrontation with patients in case of disagreements but take on gender- and profession-based dominance in dealing with intense conflicts to maintain healthcare order. They do not challenge the status hierarchy between nurses and physicians but manage to maintain harmonious relationships with physicians by engaging in interpersonal activities with physicians in leisure times.

Implication

Male nurses can take the lead to create inclusive groups to engage patients and physicians in delivering healthcare. The masculine traits of male nurses do not subvert the nurse/physician hierarchy stereotype but strengthen it.

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Exploring the Contextual Factors Surrounding the Recruitment and Retention of Men in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program

Men continue to be significantly underrepresented within the nursing profession, making up less than 10% of the Canadian nursing workforce. While studies have explored the challenges faced by men in nursing, fewer studies have explored the recruitment and retention barriers experienced by male nursing students. The purpose of this study was to explore the recruitment and retention of male nursing students currently enrolled in an undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program. Snowball sampling was used to recruit male nursing students (n = 17) to participate in focus groups where they shared what factors affected their decision to enter a nursing program and what experiences contributed to their decision to remain in the nursing program. The results of this research can contribute to the development of strategies to recruit and retain men in nursing and ultimately have the effect of diversifying the nursing profession.

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.

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.

Professional framing and emotional stability modulate facial appearance biases in nursing students

AIM

Providing the same standard of care to all patients alike, regardless of race, gender, age or any other irrelevant characteristic is imperative in the healthcare profession. In this study we examined whether and to what extent unintentional evaluations based on facial appearance of others affect nursing students' readiness to approach them and provide nursing care.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to July 2019. Nursing students (N = 160) enrolled in the Nursing Degree Course of School of Medicine of Bologna University, completed a self-report questionnaire assessing personality traits and evaluated photographs of trustworthy, untrustworthy and neutral-looking male and female faces, while indicating their own approach behavior in a series of social interaction and caretaking scenarios.

RESULTS

Trustworthy faces elicited a higher approach readiness than untrustworthy and neutral ones across scenarios. Nonetheless, the nursing care scenario facilitated the approach toward others perceived as untrustworthy. Emotional stability trait further enhanced the approach of untrustworthy-looking others and provision of impartial care.

CONCLUSION

Present findings suggest that facial appearance bias among nursing students may be downregulated by activating cognitive representations of their professional role as future caretakers and their caretaking motivation. This speaks of the need to integrate as early as possible into existing nursing education programs simulation scenarios aimed to increase emotional awareness and model nursing students' future relational and caring skills.

"I prefer a male nurse to a female nurse": patients' preference for, and satisfaction with nursing care provided by male nurses at the Komfo Anokye teaching hospital

Background

Although most male nurses join the profession for self-actualisation, the cultural and societal stereotyping of male nurses as “He-Man”, “gay” and “troublemakers”, and their marginalisation at the hospital during certain personal and intimate care procedures, tend to deepen the existing gender discrimination prevalent within the nursing profession. This study therefore assessed patients’ preference for, and satisfaction with nursing care provided by male nurses at the medical and surgical wards of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital [KATH].

Methods

An inferential cross-sectional study design, in which the prevalence of a condition among an identified population is determined, was used. Using convenience sampling, 150 respondents who meet certain practical criteria and are available and willing to participate were sampled. Data from a context-based research instrument on the opinion, preference and satisfaction of patients with male nursing were analysed using χ² test, Mann Whitney U test, ordinal logistic regression and logistic regression.

Results

The study indicates that more females than males had ever been attended to by a male nurse for the period considered by the study, and females described male nurses as polite and courteous and were comfortable with their treatment. Being single [OR = 0.111, 95% CI (0.013–0.928)] and professing Islamic faiths [OR = 36.533, 95% CI (2.116–630.597)] were functions of respondents’ preference for a male nurse. Significantly too, affiliating to a religious sect (OR = 2.347, 95% CI [0.076–1.630]) and being educated (OR = 1.387, 95% CI [0.040–0.615]), were associated with higher odds of falling in one of the higher categories of satisfaction with nursing care provided by male nurses as against the lower categories.

Conclusion

Although marital status, religious affiliation and educational level were the significant predictors of patients’ preference for, and satisfaction with care provided by male nurses, the effect of the other variables should not be overlooked. The finding disproves assertions on the negative effect of religion on male nurses. It is recommended that public awareness be created on the role of male nurses in the healthcare delivery system to promote acceptance of gender diversity in the nursing profession.

Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace as an Aspect of Horizontal Segregation in the Nursing Profession

The purpose of this article was to assess the influence of psychosocial hazards as a factor affecting the presence of men in the nursing profession. The article refers to the topic of particularly low representation of men among nursing staff in Poland, in comparison to what similar statistics show for other countries. The aim of the study was to assess whether the psychosocial hazards in the nursing profession constitute a significant factor in the small number of men present in this occupation. In this article psychosocial hazards are considered as all the aspects of management and work organization that may negatively affect the employee's mental and physical health. The research was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018 in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (Poland). A total of 640 respondents working as nurses in inpatient health care facilities, of which 87% were women and 13% were men, were included in the study. A standardized Work Design Questionnaire for an objective assessment of work stressfulness was used as a research tool. The research has been run by a group of experts, who explained the aim and the meaning of the particular questions to the surveyed group. Afterwards, based on the answers and observations of the responders, the experts filled in the questionnaire. The results of the study show that in almost all the evaluated aspects, the nursing profession was assessed more negatively by surveyed men than women. The most negative aspects reported by women included hazards (a score of 60), complexity (58.3), and haste (50.0), while those reported by men included haste (70.0), complexity (66.7), and hazards (65.0). As a conclusion it has been noticed, that results received from the research confirm that psychosocial hazards may have significant impact on the number of men present in the nursing profession in Poland. This study also suggests that the greater psychosocial hazards experienced by male nurses in the workplace may be an effect of the particularly low representation of men among practicing nursing staff.

Nursing is for men: a descriptive phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

The reasons men come into nursing is because of career stability, career progression and financial security.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the lived-experience of a group of male nursing students as to the attraction of nursing as a career choice.

METHOD

A descriptive phenomenological approach using Colaizzi's seven step data analysis within the phenomenological empirical framework was used.

FINDINGS

The central theme developed from the transcripts was Nursing is for Men. Seven sub-themes were identified from the significant statements which included: Nursing is for me; wanting a new career; the jobs in the bag; striving to succeed; Men together; Family approval and Mate-ship realigned.

CONCLUSION

The men in this study found the decision to become a nurse and undertake their nursing education challenging. Moreover, it was reconciling with family, friends and work colleagues that many felt was the biggest obstacle.

School Counselors' Perceptions of Necessary Attributes of Middle and High School Students Interested in a Career in Nursing

AIM

The focus of this study was to examine which attributes school counselors perceive as necessary for middle and high school students interested in a career in nursing.

BACKGROUND

School counselors play a pivotal role in secondary students' career development but were found to have limited knowledge about the need for increased academic rigor in nursing.

METHOD

A national sample of 204 school counselors responded to a web-based survey that examined perceptions of necessary attributes of prospective nursing students.

RESULTS

This is the first national study to identify school counselors' perceived attributes of prospective nursing students. Results included trustworthiness and caring; academic attributes ranked lower.

CONCLUSION

School counselors in this study perceived nursing as a caring profession but not necessarily an academic one. Early intervention in middle school may alter preconceived images of nursing as exclusively female and caring but also as a profession that requires much academic preparation.

Student support in accelerated nursing programs: Gender-based perspectives and impact on academic outcomes

BACKGROUND

Factors that contribute to student success in accelerated degree nursing programs are poorly understood and may vary by gender.

PURPOSE

Examine associations between satisfaction with peer and mentor support, gender, and academic outcomes among students in accelerated degree nursing programs.

METHODS

We used data (demographic variables, satisfaction with peer and mentor support, graduation, and attempts of National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's New Career in Nursing Program. Multivariable mixed effects regression models were used to examine associations among gender, satisfaction with support, and academic outcomes.

FINDINGS

Males had an increased probability of reporting high satisfaction with peer support. Both males and females who were very dissatisfied with peer support were less likely to graduate than students who were very satisfied with peer support. Gender did not moderate the relationships between satisfaction with peer and mentor support and academic outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Peer support is an important aspect of graduation among students in accelerated degree nursing programs. Continuous quality improvement strategies to improve student peer support may be warranted.