Male Students' Perceptions of the Nursing Profession: A Qualitative Study

Introduction

This study aims to explore the thought, feelings and perceptions of male nursing students and male nursing professionals in the nursing profession.

Methods

This present study used a qualitative research design to explore the feelings, thoughts, and opinions of male nursing students (first to fourth years) and male nursing professionals about their perception of the nursing profession. The study recruited 11 male nursing students and 11 male nursing professionals using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews using qualitative open-ended inquiries consisting of seven questions. The data were analysed using thematic perspectives.

Results

The analysis revealed three themes: (a) perceiving gender varieties, (b) taking apparent advantage of masculine characteristics, and (c) taking an equal perspective. Male students' replies to their professional gender attitudes were that there was no distinct line among the gender-related advantages and disadvantages according to whether they were first to fourth-year students.

Conclusion

Male nursing students and professionals believe that nursing is equally appropriate for both men and women, and they could employ masculine characteristics to thrive in their professional development.

The Influence of Gender Equity in Nursing Education Programs on Nurse Job Satisfaction

(1) Background: One of the strategies to overcome the shortage of nurses is to minimize gender inequity in nursing culture, starting from the undergraduate education program. Although the number of men entering the nursing profession has increased over the years, the portion of male nurses remains low, particularly in Asian countries. Only a few studies have been conducted to identify gender inequity in nursing, and most of these studies used qualitative study design. Therefore, it is necessary to quantitatively identify gender equity in nursing education and the influence it has on nurse job satisfaction. (2) Methods: A total of 165 male nurses participated in this study. Validated questionnaires were used to assess gender equity in nursing education programs, nurse job satisfaction, nurse job esteem, and nursing professional pride. (3) Results: The mean score of gender equity in nursing programs was 62.6, showing a positive correlation with nurse job satisfaction, nurse job esteem, and nursing professional pride. Gender equity positively predicted nurse job esteem. (4) Conclusions: The gender equity in nursing education programs has positive predictive effects on the factors that influence male nurse job satisfaction. In order to increase nurse job retention, educators should incorporate strategies to minimize gender inequity.

Male nurses’ mental health and provision of emotional support during COVID-19: a thematic analysis

Background:

COVID-19 has created mental health challenges for nurses. However, it is unknown if there is a gendered influence on nurses’ experiences during the pandemic.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of male nurses during COVID-19, including their mental health and experiences of providing emotional support.

Methods:

We conducted semi-structured interviews using Zoom with nine male nurses and analysed the interviews using thematic analysis.

Findings:

Male nurses experienced negative mental health outcomes from the pandemic, but participants attributed these outcomes to the context. Male nurses provided emotional support for patients, students, families and other staff and did not describe emotional support as a difficult part of their work. Participants identified their role as a ‘breadwinner’ of being part of their concern during COVID-19. Participants used a variety of approaches to manage the stressors from the pandemic and cautioned against alcohol as a coping strategy.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Participants provided emotional support routinely as part of their work and went to great lengths to do so. This finding differs from most published literature that suggests male nurses struggle with emotional and interpersonal aspects of nursing. Male nurses require emotional support and employers can note that need for support may present differently by gender.

Superheroes or Super Spreaders? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Attitudes towards Nurses: A Qualitative Study from Poland

The social perception of the nursing profession in Poland is profoundly affected by social stereotypes that may discourage young people from entering the profession and lead to prejudice towards nurses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses gained visibility, which caused the social image of nurses to likewise grow. In this study, we explore nurses' experiences with respect to how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the social image of nursing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen hospital nurses. Three major themes emerged: (1) social attitudes towards nurses during the pandemic, (2) nurses' perception of the impact of the pandemic on the social image of the nursing profession and (3) the impact of the pandemic on nurses' mental health. Although the pandemic promoted the image of nursing to the general public, nurses were disappointed that in the face of the healthcare crisis and the constant threat, they had to struggle with difficult working conditions and professional, social and economic recognition. This study therefore stresses the duty of policy makers to undertake a systemic approach to improving the organisation of health care and increase nurses' safety by providing them with a safe working environment and prepare them better for the next health crisis.

Superheroes or Super Spreaders? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Attitudes towards Nurses: A Qualitative Study from Poland

The social perception of the nursing profession in Poland is profoundly affected by social stereotypes that may discourage young people from entering the profession and lead to prejudice towards nurses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses gained visibility, which caused the social image of nurses to likewise grow. In this study, we explore nurses’ experiences with respect to how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the social image of nursing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen hospital nurses. Three major themes emerged: (1) social attitudes towards nurses during the pandemic, (2) nurses’ perception of the impact of the pandemic on the social image of the nursing profession and (3) the impact of the pandemic on nurses’ mental health. Although the pandemic promoted the image of nursing to the general public, nurses were disappointed that in the face of the healthcare crisis and the constant threat, they had to struggle with difficult working conditions and professional, social and economic recognition. This study therefore stresses the duty of policy makers to undertake a systemic approach to improving the organisation of health care and increase nurses’ safety by providing them with a safe working environment and prepare them better for the next health crisis.

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.

Current Stereotypes Associated with Nursing and Nursing Professionals: An Integrative Review

Nursing and nursing professionals are associated with social stereotypes, which may hinder the profession’s development and future prospects as a scientific discipline. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the stereotypes associated with the nursing profession—students and professionals. Therefore, we carried out an integrative review. The search was conducted using PubMed, WOS, and CINAHL databases, and its search strategy was based on a combination of standardised keywords and natural vocabulary, with a temporal limit between 2016 and 2021. The data extraction and analysis was based on the conceptual framework developed by Whittemore and Knafl. Twenty-seven studies were included in the review, and their results were classified and coded. Two categories emerged, namely, stereotypes relating to the professionals’ gender and stereotypes relating to the profession itself. We concluded that the nursing profession is viewed as female with low skills, social status, salary, academic level and entry requirements, and with little autonomy. Male nurses’ professional competencies and masculinity are questioned, while the work carried out by female nurses is viewed as unprofessional. To reduce these stereotypes and bias we must present the nursing profession as a scientific discipline, developed by both men and women. Specific channels for this awareness-raising work include interventions from universities and the media, and participation in health policies.

Professional success of men in the nursing workforce: An integrative review

AIM

To identify and summarize evidence of objective achievements and subjective indicators associated with professional success of men in nursing.

BACKGROUND

Despite being a minority group, men in nursing are purported to enjoy hidden advantages.

EVALUATION

In this integrative review, studies from seven databases were retrieved and independently evaluated using the quality appraisal tools in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Inductive content analysis and narrative synthesis were conducted, guided by the aim of this review.

KEY ISSUES

In total, 12 studies published between 1987 and 2021 were included. Two themes with related subthemes supporting or refuting professional success of men were identified. These were (a) evidence of professional success and (b) challenges to professional success.

CONCLUSION

As a minority group, men are highly visible in nursing, which is a double-edged sword. Although men were overrepresented in senior nursing positions of higher salaries than women, they also experienced gender stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, which reduced the duration of men staying in a specific nursing position.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Findings of this study highlighted the need for nurse leaders to proactively address specific gender issues that are unique to men in the nursing workforce.

Potential for misinterpretation: An everyday problem male nurses encounter in inpatient rehabilitation

AIMS

This study aims to report on the everyday concern of the 'potential for misinterpretation', which was the basic social problem revealed in a grounded theory study exploring male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation in Australia.

BACKGROUND

Male nurses account for approximately 10% of nursing workforce across western countries and they practice in a range of clinical areas; however, how they practice in inpatient rehabilitation remains unexplored.

METHODS

Constructivist grounded theory was used in this study and was conducted in two phases: (i) involved semi-structured interviews with 11 male nurses from October 2013 to June 2014 and (ii) observation of practice of 12 male nurses and semi-structured interviews with male nurses and 15 patients from February to April 2015.

RESULTS

Nurse participants encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies about male nurses. Patients perceived nursing to be women's work and that male nurses are sexual threats. These two intersecting ideologies created a concern for male nurses working in inpatient rehabilitation and that concern was labelled 'potential for misinterpretation'.

CONCLUSION

Gender stereotypes impacted on the ability of male nurses to practise nursing in inpatient rehabilitation. Male nurses were mindful on a daily basis that misinterpretation could, and did, happen in inpatient rehabilitation.

"I am called girl, but that doesn't matter" -perspectives of male nurses regarding gender-related advantages and disadvantages in professional development

Background

Exploration of professional development experiences of male nurses can help develop evidence-based strategies to attract males into nursing. The study aims to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of being a male in nursing profession that male nurses and male nursing students experience in their professional development.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative research was designed. Purposive sampling was applied and 24 males (12 nursing students and 12 clinical nurses) participated. Semi-structured individual interviews were used in data collection. Thematic analysis was used in data analysis.

Results

Professional development of male nurses was related to three interplayed identities: a man, a nurse, and a minority. Three themes emerged relating to the professional development of the males: “feeling role strains” “taking perceived advantage of masculine traits” and “taking an egalitarian viewpoint”. There was no clear line between the gender-related advantages and disadvantages as factors influencing professional development can be turned by the males from barriers to facilitators.

Conclusions

Male nurses perceive nursing as equally suitable for males and females and make use of masculine traits to thrive in their professional development.

Motives for Empathy among Clinical Nurses in China: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the motives of clinical nurses for experiencing empathy with patients and their families based on a self-determination theory framework.

METHODS

Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twenty-one nurses at four tertiary hospitals in Anhui, China, were conducted, recorded and transcribed. A content analysis with a directed approach was performed.

RESULTS

An analysis of the interview transcripts revealed three categories of empathy motivation: autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and a lack of empathy motivation. Autonomous motivation included personal interests, enjoyment and a sense of value, pure altruism, assimilation, and recognition of the importance of empathy. Controlled motivation highlighted pressures from oneself and others, the possibility of tangible or intangible rewards, and avoidance of adverse effects. Finally, a lack of empathy motivation referred to a lack of intention for empathy and denial of the value of empathy.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a deep understanding of the motives underlying empathy in nurses. The results reveal the reasons for empathy and may support the development of effective strategies to foster and promote empathy in nurses.

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.

Personal characteristics, coping strategies, and resilience impact on compassion fatigue in critical care nurses: A cross-sectional study

Compassion fatigue is known to impact the well-being of nurses and patient safety outcomes. Currently, there is limited academic understanding of the role of demographic factors in contributing to compassion fatigue in critical care nurses. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between nurse demographic characteristics and the development of compassion fatigue, as indicated by level of burnout and compassion satisfaction in critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia. The cross-sectional study design included administering three surveys to critical care nurses (n = 321) in four Saudi public hospitals to examine the nurse demographic variables in relation to compassion fatigue, the compassion fatigue coping strategies of nurses, and nurse resilience. The results show both demographic and workplace structural elements, such as length of work shift, education level, and nationality, were all significant factors in resilience to compassion fatigue among Saudi critical care nurses, whereas factors of age and sex were not significant. This study concludes that the demographic characteristics of critical care nurses enable the identification of levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction, and their resilience to the effects of compassion fatigue.

Male nurse: A concept analysis

Use of the term male nurse is common in nursing wherever the practice setting may be, but no formal analysis has been done to illuminate the meaning of the concept. The term male nurse is often problematic to those referred to, as the label carries stereotypes that further marginalize this extreme minority in the nursing profession. The Nurse Registration Act of 1919 (UK) banned men from nursing de jure, whilst Nightingale's reform of nursing education established the same de facto years before. This potent mix of tradition and law served as the basis for sex-segregation and feminization of nursing. Fast forward to today-in the centennial of the Nurse Registration Act-women still dominate nursing, and attempts to recruit and retain men into the profession remains to be a very challenging task. Walker and Avant's methodology was utilized in this concept analysis. Seven defining attributes of the male nurse were identified: perceived as a male, credentialed as a nurse, increased visibility, nonconformist as to career choice, cautious caregivers, stereotyped/stigmatized, and increased role strain. Antecedents, consequences, and illustrative cases were also discussed. Gender-based labels such as male nurse are injurious to nursing, as it preserves sex-segregation as well as stereotypes that affect both men and women in the profession. This concept analysis corroborates the need to degender nursing and caring, which is a recurrent theme in nursing literature. Ultimately, degendering nursing should translate to measures to increase the proportion of men in the nursing workforce. A gender-balanced workforce, coupled with degendered notions of caring will strengthen the nursing profession and optimize our ability to serve our clientele.

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.

Subjectivity about Turnover Intention among Male Nurses in South Korea: A Q-Methodological Study

PURPOSE

Around the world, male nurses face a variety of difficulties within clinical settings; accordingly, a large number of male nurses consider changing their occupation. In particular, male nurses in a number of Asian countries with a Confucian heritage experience difficulties. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore individual differences in turnover intention among male nurses in one such country, South Korea, and on that basis to suggest concrete strategies for reducing turnover among male nurses in Confucian cultures.

METHODS

Q methodology, which is used to analyze human subjectivity, was applied. Q statements were derived from 207 candidate statements gathered from various documents and interviews; 40 statements were finalized. A purposive sample of 41 male nurses were selected as likely to have diverse opinions on turnover intention of male nurses. The collected data were analyzed using PQMethod software.

RESULTS

Four distinct types of subjectivity about turnover intention among male nurses were identified: (1) "Pursuing occupational values," (2) "Dissatisfaction with treatment," (3) "Seeking a relaxed and stable life," and (4) "Conflict related to organizational culture."

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests various ways of reducing turnover and increasing retention among male nurses based on the four identified perspectives, especially in Confucian-heritage regions.

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.