Overcoming Stereotypes and Shaping the Future: The Motivations and Challenges of Male Nursing Students in a Gendered Profession

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore the personal experiences and factors influencing males' attraction to nursing while seeking to understand their motivations, perceptions, and challenges. Background: The lack of male recruitment and retention exacerbates the nursing shortage, decreasing overall effectiveness and worsening patient health outcomes. Men offer a fresh perspective to the profession yet face greater adversity than their peers during their nursing education and careers. Methodology: This study will use a qualitative descriptive design involving one-on-one interviews with male nursing students from all ECU College of Nursing semesters. The interview and questions will be open-ended, and each interview will be recorded to ensure the accuracy of the answers listed in this study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Seven male nursing students from varying levels of education, aged 21-31, responded. Themes found in the individual interviews about the recruitment and retention of males in nursing included job stability, altruism, and competitive pay. Other themes highlighted many barriers for men in nursing, including a lack of role models, a lack of masculine imagery associated with the profession, and harmful societal stigmas. Discussion: Male nursing students face greater adversity during their education than others, struggling with a perceived stigma and rejection from their peers. They could be attracted to the profession by advertisements surrounding issues of job stability, competitive salaries, and appeals to their altruism. Future research must focus on how to appeal to men to combat a growing shortage.