Stressors and rewards experienced by men in nursing: A qualitative study

Abstract

This study explored men's experiences in nursing. A qualitative research design was utilized to examine (a) the stressors experienced by male nurses, (b) the strategies male nurses use to cope with these stressors, (c) the factors that motivate men to pursue a career in nursing and (d) what motivates men to remain in the profession. Six participants were conveniently and purposively selected from a range of nursing positions including cardiac, intensive care unit, theater, and general nursing to participate in semi‐structured interviews detailing their experiences. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed that male nurses still experience gender role conflict, feelings of exclusion, and numerous other stressors working in a female‐dominated occupation. Despite these challenges, participants reported that they experienced a great sense of satisfaction in their nursing careers. Further development of educational programs aimed at challenging and breaking down the perceived social stigma regarding men entering the profession may assist in recruiting more men into nursing roles. At a broader policy level, the development of more effective strategies to prevent and manage stress may assist health care agencies to deliver more gender diverse care and retain more men in the profession.

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

“…Men have a long history of working as nurses (Macintosh, 1997;O'Connor, 2015) and account for 11% of the Australian nursing workforce (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2018). This is in line with other Western nursing workforce data (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2015; National League for Nursing, 2014;Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2017;O'Connor, 2015), with male nurses working across a wide variety of settings (Blackley et al, 2019;Christensen & Knight, 2014;Fisher, 2009;Harding et al, 2008;Juliff et al, 2017;O'Lynn & Tranbarger, 2007;Stanley et al, 2016;Sundus & Younas, 2020). However, this is not without challenges.…”

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

“…Men nurses were often assumed to be effeminate or homosexual (Blackley et al, 2019; Santos & Amâncio, 2019; Williams, 1995), which, due to the pervasive negative stereotypes of homosexual men in broader society, resulted in negative experiences for men in nursing, such as homophobic abuse from patients (Blackley et al, 2019). To combat the negative stereotype of homosexuality, Whittock and Leonard (2003) and Wingfield (2009) reported that heterosexual men working as nurses openly declared their sexual identity.…”

“…The role of a nurse is stereotyped as ‘feminine’, comprising emotional attributes such as being gentle, caring, nurturing, empathetic and sympathetic, qualities assumed to be absent in men (Blackley et al, 2019; Lou et al, 2010; Mao et al, 2021). However, men working as nurses were also found to be responsive to behavioural cues of patients, colleagues and supervisors and were able to modify their own behaviours appropriately (Anderson, 1987).…”

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

“…This means that men must adapt their behaviour for a more effective therapeutic relationship [ 24 , 44 ]. Other researchers have shown that men often face situations in which they feel excluded in care situations [ 35 , 45 ], although slowly the figure of the male nurse is becoming consolidated and accepted in professional care [ 30 ]. Our participants also felt excluded because they were men.…”

“…Others have focused on the importance of emotion management in nursing in general [ 32 , 33 ]. However, little attention has been paid to emotion management among male nurses in particular, despite the fact that care environments foster emotional development, and men are often associated with roles that make them feel greater discomfort in the work environment [ 25 , 34 , 35 ]. Exploring how men manage their emotions in professions considered to be women’s professions, such as nursing (a field that also carries a high emotional charge) will make it possible to advance knowledge about men’s emotion management strategies and the gender stereotypes that are manifested in the area of care.…”