The History of Men in Nursing: Pioneers of the Profession

ABSTRACT

Men have a long-standing history in the nursing profession. Once a predominantly male-dominated field, the history of male nurses is not well documented. The history of men in nursing is filled with pioneers whose impact influenced the current climate and future of nursing and male nurses. Although there have been fewer men in nursing in modern times, their presence is significant for the profession.

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHOD

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Florence Nightingale's legacy on the role of men in community nursing

Florence Nightingale is credited with reforming the profession of nursing, and her teachings allowed nursing to be perceived as an almost exclusively female career. However, the long history of men's role in nursing before Nightingale is frequently ignored. Males currently account for one in ten UK nurses, with that figure even less in community nursing, and the ones present receive differential treatment when it comes to hiring and promotion, career opportunities, and stigma associated with gender perceptions. This article attempts to gain a better understanding of the problems that face workforce planning with regards to the lack of men in community nursing.

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.

Barriers and facilitators to recruiting and retaining men on pre-registration nursing programmes in Western countries: A systemised rapid review

BACKGROUND

The recruitment of men to pre-registration nursing programmes in many Western countries has remained static at approximately 10% per year.

AIM

To identify the experiences and attitudes of men on pre-registration nursing programmes in Western countries and the barriers and enablers to their recruitment and retention.

DESIGN

Systematized rapid review.

METHODS

Searches were undertaken in Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO) and PsychINFO (EBSCO) databases. Studies in English were included if they were from Western countries, were published since 2000 and related to men's experiences of, or attitudes to, applying for or studying pre-registration nursing. Included papers were quality appraised and findings were thematically analysed and presented in a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Records were de-duplicated and 2063 records were screened and 44 articles assessed for eligibility of which 23 articles relating to 22 empirical studies were included in the review. Findings were categorised into the following themes: recruitment experiences/reasons for studying nursing; gender experiences; barriers, difficulties and challenges with programme; and factors affecting retention.

CONCLUSION

Evidence suggests that many men who come into nursing have a family member or acquaintance who is a nurse or that they have had contact with a male nurse as a patient or carer. Motivating factors such as financial security, career mobility and the opportunity to have a job in a caring profession were reported. Improved career advice at school is needed and shortened graduate programmes could be attractive. On programme, some clinical areas were easier for male students, while in others, treatment refusal could cause difficulties. Being in a minority and gender stereotyping can affect experiences. Ensuring equitable treatment, providing additional support and placements in clinical areas with more men could minimise these challenges.

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.

Exploring the lived experience of Jordanian male nurses: A phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

Human beings have an inbuilt desire to care and nurture others. In some professions such as nursing, women are perceived as privileged in relation to these traits, and women are in the majority in the nursing profession. The Gender theory suggests that men should adapt to feminine traits and nature in order to fit in the nursing profession. However, there is a paucity of literature in relation to Arab male nurses' experience in nursing.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the Jordanian male nurses' experiences of their career within their Arabic community.

METHODS

A hermeneutic phenomenological approach, underpinned by VanManen's perspective was used. Twenty-two Jordanian male nurses were approached from four hospitals in Jordan. Four focus groups comprising 5-6 interviewees in each were used. The focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Van Manen's hermeneutic approach and themes extracted from the Arabic version were compared critically with the analysis of the English version to develop the meaning of the narratives.

DISCUSSION

Three major themes emerged from the data: (i) personal gains; (ii) masculinity; (iii) and cultural influences. Whilst male nurses recognized nursing is a female dominant profession, they viewed themselves as more independent in decision making and more productive than their female counterparts. Significantly, the participants described nursing as a means of fulfilling their spiritual needs and thus a personal gain. The interviewees linked their masculinity to resilience and endurance. Participants described that men in nursing face some social constraints within the Arab community.

CONCLUSION

The study findings partly supported the fact that nursing in Jordan is a predominantly female profession which lends support to the gender theory in which Jordanian male nurses experienced a social bias and disadvantages by Arabic culture stereotypes of a male nurse. Although nursing is still a feminine career, the findings of this study raise awareness that gender role stereotype might not hold a strong stance in relation to nursing and that could be attributed to elements such as economic and payment status.

A Mixed Methods Review of Male Nursing Students' Challenges during Nursing Education and Strategies to Tackle these Challenges

BACKGROUND

Calls to action have been placed for recruitment of more men to address nursing shortage and to achieve a better balance and diversity in workforce. Studies also indicated patients' demand for male nurses. Despite this, male nursing students experience challenges during their education resulting in their attrition. No reviews have explored this research area. This review explored the challenges of male nursing students during their education and identified strategies used to tackle these challenges.

METHODS

Literature was searched within three databases using indexed search phrases and 1 mixed-methods, six quantitative, and 36 qualitative studies (n = 43), published from December 1990 to May 2018, were reviewed. The qualitative and quantitative data were separately extracted and analyzed using thematic synthesis and narrative summaries, and then compared using joint displays.

FINDINGS

"Call me a nurse" and "Male nurses understand us better: Need more men in nursing" were the prominent themes. An array of educational and clinical challenges was identified. Students used appraisal-focused, problem-focused, and social support strategies to tackle these challenges.

CONCLUSION

Considering the identified challenges, the lack of support and efforts from educators and institutions, we reiterate calls to action for strategic policies to help male nursing students adapt to educational and clinical learning environments and to increase their recruitment and retention in nursing.

Experiences of Male Student Nurse Midwives in Malawi During Undergraduate Education

BACKGROUND

Historically, nursing has evolved from being a feminine profession to a profession accepted by both sexes. In the contemporary world, gender mainstreaming has been instituted as a global strategy in promoting gender equality. Though men continue to join nursing, they face many challenges. It is believed that through proper socialization some of the challenges can be addressed. In Malawi, there is dearth of literature on this subject. This resulted in undertaking the study.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the study was to describe experiences of male student nurses during undergraduate education in Malawi.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Focus group discussions were conducted with study participants in purposively selected nursing colleges.

FINDINGS

Male student nurse midwives faced more negative than positive experiences in nursing. The following three major themes were generated: nursing is a feminine occupation, facing discrimination and socialisation experienced.

CONCLUSION

Malawian male student nurse midwives face both positive and negative experiences during their integration in nursing. Formulation and implementation of gender sensitive policies would help in strengthening male nurse education.

The Experience of Male Nursing Students

PURPOSE

To explore the experience of male nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing program.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative approach with content analysis. Written narratives in response to open-ended questions were analyzed. Lincoln and Guba's guidelines were followed.

SETTING AND POPULATION

This study took two academic years to complete, at a baccalaureate nursing program in the northeast United States. It consisted of 23 male undergraduate nursing students who had completed three clinical nursing courses.

FINDINGS

Five themes emerged from the data analysis: staying focused, opinions matter, I want to be "a nurse," relationships, and looking ahead.

CONCLUSIONS

The male nursing students in this study were serious about entering the nursing profession. They wanted to be known as "nurses," not "male nurses." Additional findings from this study can provide educators and clinicians with a deeper understanding of the experiences of male nursing students and what they need to be successful. DeVito.

Maintaining Equilibrium: Socialization and Gendered Identities of Iranian Male Nurses

The aim of this study was to explore the process of Iranian male nurses’ professional socialization and how they negotiate a gendered identity. A purposive sample of 22 male nurses was recruited from six public hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Study data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews. Data collection was continued until reaching data saturation. Totally, 25 interviews were conducted. Data analysis was carried out using Corbin and Strauss’s techniques for qualitative data analysis. The core category of the study, that is, the socialization process of male nurses who participated in the study, was “maintaining equilibrium.” Our participants’ strategies for socialization included informing, conforming, and self-establishing. The study findings can be used for developing effective strategies for male staff recruitment and retention.

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

AIM

This systematic review was conducted to provide a deeper understanding of male nurses' motivations for choosing nursing as a profession.

METHODS

A systematic literature review of qualitative data was conducted. CINAHL, Pubmed, PsychINFO, Pubmesh, and Embase were searched from January 1970 to December 2013. Qualitative studies which described male nurses' motivations for choosing nursing were selected.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Relevant data were extracted from the included papers and were coded and then synthesised under four main themes.

RESULTS

Four main themes were identified which described male nurses' motivations for choosing nursing; 'Early exposure to nursing and other health care professionals', 'Choosing nursing as a profession by chance', 'Choosing nursing because of extrinsic motivating factors', and 'Choosing nursing because of intrinsic motivating factors'.

CONCLUSIONS

To help encourage more men to enter and remain in nursing, recruitment and retention strategies need to focus on addressing the gender stereotypes associated with the nursing profession.

Is there a relationship between the diversity characteristics of nursing students and their clinical placement experiences? A literature review

BACKGROUND

There has been an increase in ethno-cultural, linguistic, and socio-demographical diversity in students enrolling in undergraduate nursing programs. Diversity also involves other characteristics, but little is known about how diversity impacts on the clinical experiences of nursing students.

AIM

The aim of this review is to identify studies which describe the clinical placement experiences of nursing students who have a broad range of diversity characteristics.

METHODS

Major databases were searched and original studies published from 2003 to 30 June 2013 were eligible for inclusion. An expanded definition of diversity was used to include characteristics such as ethnicity, language, age, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, carer responsibilities, sexual orientation and special needs/disability.

FINDINGS

Male gender and speaking English as a second language are diversity characteristics associated with a less positive clinical experience. These students are also more likely to leave their nursing program. Mature-aged students and those from ethnic minority groups were also noted to have a less positive clinical experience and in some cases, this also increased attrition. However, it was difficult to determine the impact of these characteristics alone as they appeared to be linked with other characteristics such as financial difficulties and carer responsibilities in the case of mature-aged students, and language and international student status in the case of ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the significant benefits associated with preparing a diverse nursing workforce, it is an imperative to better understand the impact of diversity on nursing students to ensure that every placement becomes a positive and valuable learning experience.

Clinical learning experiences of male nursing students in a Bachelor of Nursing programme: Strategies to overcome challenges

BACKGROUND

Male nursing students are faced with more challenges in the clinical setting than their female counterparts. The ways in which male nurses are viewed and received by nursing staff and patients have an impact on how they perceive themselves and their role in the profession. These perceptions of self have a significant impact on their self-esteem. This study was conducted to explore the clinical learning experiences of male nursing students at a university during their placement in clinical settings in the Western Cape Province, and how these experiences impacted on their self-esteem.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the learning experiences of male nursing students during placement in clinical settings, and how these impact on their self-esteem.

METHOD

A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Three focus group (FG) discussions, consisting of six participants per group, were used to collect data. Data analysis was conducted by means of Coliazzi's (1978) seven steps method of qualitative analysis.

STUDY FINDINGS

The following three major themes were identified: experiences that related to the constraints in the learning environment, the impact on the self-esteem, and the social support of students working in a female-dominated profession.

CONCLUSION

Male nurses should be supported in nursing training, as the rate at which males enter the profession is increasing.

Males in Dietetics, What Can Be Learned from the Nursing Profession? A Narrative Review of the Literature

In Canada 95% of dietitians are female despite serving a sex-diverse population. Literature examining why there are so few male dietitians is limited. However, nursing, like dietetics, is female dominated but has a large body of literature examining sex diversity within the profession. Therefore, a narrative literature review was conducted to find articles that examined the following questions: (i) What are the barriers and motivating factors for prospective male nursing students? and (ii) What are the perceived sex-based challenges that male nursing students encounter during their education? A total of 38 articles were included in the final review and the results are presented under the following headings: barriers, motivators, and educational experiences both in the classroom and during clinical rotations. The review outlines the current state of knowledge regarding sex as it relates to nursing and how this information compares with the current dietetics literature. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn about what changes could be made in dietetic education immediately and how further research could provide insight towards reducing the barriers and facilitating easier access to dietetics education for males.

Men Choosing Nursing

In the nursing profession across the Western world, women outnumber men by a ratio of 10 to 1. The profession is often seen as being synonymous with being female and with femininity. This study aimed to illustrate the gendered aspects of career choice for men who choose to nurse and how a masculine identity can be negotiated within the profession. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, interviews were carried out with 18 male nurses. The findings indicate contradictions and difficulties for men in identifying with the profession and as men. Little encouragement is given to men to join the profession, and for men who have chosen to nurse, there is an attempt to distance themselves from traditional motivations for choosing nursing such as caring and vocationalism. This has implications for the recruitment and retention of men into the profession and also points to a need to examine the relationship of nursing to gendered concepts.

Men student nurses: the nursing education experience

PURPOSE

This study explored the phenomenon of being a male in a predominately female-concentrated undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program.

BACKGROUND

Men remain a minority within the nursing profession. Nursing scholars have recommended that the profile of nursing needs to change to meet the diversity of the changing population, and the shortfall of the worldwide nursing shortage. However, efforts by nursing schools and other stakeholders have been conservative toward recruitment of men.

METHODS

Using Giorgi's method, 27 students from a collaborative nursing program took part in this qualitative, phenomenological study. Focus groups were undertaken to gather data and to develop descriptions of the experience.

FINDINGS

Five themes highlighted men students' experience of being in a university nursing program: choosing nursing, becoming a nurse, caring within the nursing role, gender-based stereotypes, and visible/invisible.

IMPLICATIONS

The experiences of the students revealed issues related to gender bias in nursing education, practice areas, and societal perceptions that nursing is not a suitable career choice for men. Implications for nurse educators and strategies for the recruitment and retention of men nursing students are discussed.