In the 1850s, Florence Nightingale founded the first nursing schools in England, laying the foundation for nursing. Nowadays, at `Gentleman Zone, we know that, although the high influx of men in the nursing profession, women still dominate the field of providing care for the sick and infirm.
Let’s look back at the 60s.
Back then, only 2% of men were nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 10% of registered nurses in 2013 were male.
As an industry, health care continues to grow and develop, as do new, more effective ways to provide care and treatment. The ongoing pandemic further fueled the rising shortage of healthcare practitioners, especially nursing professionals.
Therefore, for anyone who’s looking forward to joining the healthcare industry, now is the right time to do that!
Although the nursing field is predominantly associated with ladies, males may find it difficult to adjust to it, since the attached stigmas discourage men from considering nursing as a potential career.
In addition, because of stigma, many talented and compassionate people may not apply for nursing roles at all.
Despite many initiatives aimed at making STEM careers more accessible to women, experts argue that not enough programs are focused on encouraging men to become nurses or take on other caregiving roles.
Thus, nursing suffers from low levels of gender diversity, which negatively affects both nurses and patients.
Fact: Females Predominated Nursing in the 19th & 20th Centuries
However, times change, and men are increasingly entering the field and occupying critical roles in the healthcare industry. There are many institutes in the country where healthcare professionals can get enrolled in accredited online MSN programs and strengthen, expand and layer their professional skills and expertize.
With the establishment of the first nursing schools in England in the 1850s, Florence Nightingale set the stage for the modern nursing profession.
At the time, these schools provided women with opportunities that were otherwise not available to them, but they also excluded men. As a result, nurses became known over time as work of women, mainly serving as assistants to male doctors.
Health care suffers from this stigma because it discourages men from pursuing nursing degrees and from addressing the nursing shortage affecting communities across the country. Like every other professional in the field, male nurses perform examinations, provide medication, and treat patients every day.
With this being said, today, we’re going to discuss some of the most prevalent stigmas attached to male nurses and tips for them for overcoming them and taking their careers to the next level.
Stigmas & Stereotypes Experienced by Male Nurses
A survey shows that in the U.S., male nurses comprise only 13% of total nursing workforce. You have 87% that are not.
A disproportionate amount of men work in nursing, and there is no real reason other than the stigma that causes this. Nevertheless, you now know just how stupid stigma is, as well as why it must be stopped.
The following are some examples of stereotype framing and prejudication:
Stigma: Nursing Requires Empathy That Men “Lack”
Males are viewed with many misperceptions by society, including phrases like “men never cry” and “men will be men.”
While these ideas might seem harmless on a surface level, they contribute to the perception that men lack the empathy needed to care for others properly. There are multiple occasions that companies have even punished male employees for violating gender norms.
However, studies have shown that men show compassion in clinical settings just as much as women. Many patients and their families perceive male nurses as being less understanding, caring, competent, and tolerant compared to their female colleagues.
As a result, talented and compassionate men are discouraged from entering the nursing profession and prevented them from using their skills and talents for the greater good of society.
The actions of a man speak louder than words.
Once it is clear that you care for your patients, presumptions about capabilities fade away.
Unfortunately, this popular yet painfully inaccurate stigma can keep talented and compassionate men from entering the nursing field or prevent them from visiting nursing homes.
Stigma: Nursing & Nurturing is Women’s Work
Women dominated the nursing profession throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, in fact.
Florence Nightingale’s school provided women with opportunities otherwise unavailable to them, but at the same time excluded men as applicable in the first place.
That’s why historically, nursing has been called “women’s work,” with nurses serving as assistants to mostly male physicians.
Stigma harms healthcare industries by discouraging men from pursuing degrees in nursing and contributing to the nursing shortage in communities across the country.
A male nurse’s role is not gender-specific. However, popular myth surrounds obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) where rusty stigma bears.
Patient partners could suffer from insecurity, lack of trust, or moral obligations, which is up to culture and society.
Like all professionals in the field, nurses provide medication to patients, perform screening tests, and treat patients daily. The ability to be a good nurse has nothing to do with your gender.
The work demands skills, training, compassion, confidentiality, and dignity and respect for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, ages, financial status, gender identity, religious beliefs, and more.
Stigma: Men Wouldn’t Choose Nursing as a Career
Men face another common misperception: they simply “settled” on nursing because they lacked the skills, knowledge, or drive to become physicians.
In reality, men pursue nursing for various reasons, with few viewing it as a backup option or a stepping stone to a career as a doctor.
Most male nurses say that people assume that they’re doctors, or they pursue nursing because they didn’t get the opportunity to study to be physicians, even if they tell them that nursing was always their first career choice and that they love being a nurse.
According to nurses, they are luckier than doctors because they get to know patients better and believe the job is more satisfying. They think that nothing can beat the feeling of fulfillment that a nurse can feel when a patient gets better because of their care.
In addition to high salaries and job growth potential, nursing also offers the possibility of obtaining a master’s or doctorate degree and serving as an advanced practice nurse.
As an example, nursing practitioners can earn over $100,000 per year, with the BLS forecasting 26% job growth over the next decade. In healthcare organizations, nurses have a variety of career options, including healthcare, administrative, and research positions.
Fact: Male Nurses Are Paid More
Unfortunately, the gender gap in pay rates does happen in the field of nurturing and nursing up to an extra 20% on what women earn.
Tips On Overcoming Stigma & Stereotypes
There is no easy solutions, so be persistent and don’t disheart.
Be Your Best Male Nurse Possible
Your job is to ensure patients have what they need, are met, and receive quality care.
For example, many new nurses make the mistake of expecting their patients to be happy, healthy, and satisfied. Do your best in aiding the works of medical society and be proud about it.
Honor Patients Choice
While most patients don’t mind their nurse’s gender, a few may request a female nurse. Don’t be discouraged. Accept that some patients may prefer one nurse over another for a variety of reasons. Take it in stride.
Don’t Grudge On Sexism
Generally, people don’t think of nurse gender, but some may request a female nurse.
- Don’t be disheartened or let alone offended.
- Accept that some patients may prefer one nurse over another for a variety of reasons.
- Take it in stride.
Be Proactive With Nursing Organizations
Engage and support members of nursing organizations such like the National Nursing Student Association, the American Nurses Association, American Association of Men in Nursing, and the Brotherhood of Nursing.
These communities can provide you with opportunity to hone your expertize while working with other male nurses and nursing students.
Associations can also assist you in becoming more confident with your chosen profession and to overcome common stereotypes associated with male nurses.
Stigma & Male Nurses, Remarks
Stigmas exist in every field, but the key to success is overcoming them. Although most people view nursing as a profession more suitable for women, that doesn’t mean that men can be nurses.
In fact, studies show that men turn out to be highly successful caregivers just like their female colleagues.
The key here is to overcome gender biases and pursue a career that you love because nursing has nothing to do with gender; rather it entirely depends on one’s urge and passion for serving humanity and doing something that improves the lives of others.
So, if you think that you’ve got these traits, go for nursing regardless of your sexual orientation.
