The profile of Saudi male nursing workforce: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aims to determine the profile of the Saudi male nursing workforce that influences tenure in their job and their intentions in staying on the job or leaving their job. This research used the quantitative-comparative approach employing 361 nurses as participants from the three major government hospitals namely, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and King Fahad Medical Center in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results showed that nurses in the workforce perceived the lack of promotion opportunities as the main reason for leaving the nursing profession (3.92±.952) and the reason for becoming a nurse wanted to help others cope with illness (4.68). There is a significant difference found in age to reasons (F=11.51; p<001) opinion of becoming a nurse (F=6.73; p<001), highest qualification on their reasons for leaving the nursing profession (F=11.8; p<.001) but not on the opinion of nurses (F=.690; p>.502). Moreover, the years of experience of the nurses were found significant to reasons (F=5.085; p<.002) and opinion (F=4.89; p<.002). Regarding the position held, there found significant differences in reasons for leaving (F=9.05; p<.001) and their opinion about becoming a nurse (F=11.81; p<.001). Concerning marital status there found significant differences in their reasons for leaving the nursing profession (t=5.779; p>.290) and their opinion (t=1.39; p>.573). Meanwhile, the number of dependents found no significant difference in their reasons (t=2.248; p>0.38) and opinion (t=.820; p>.366). Continuous skill development and career progression opportunities for male nurses contribute to job satisfaction and, as a result, it will be the key to gaining greater autonomy for Saudi Arabia's nurses.