How to Attract More Men to the Nursing Profession

From all who are in the nursing profession, you can hear one word. Nursing is a rewardig career besides the good pay and all the jobs that are out there. Why are men not rushing down the doors of nursing schools trying to get in? A California RN with some years of experience can expect to make up to $66,000. Recruiting these high-pay nurses is not a problem. In addition to the flexible schedules they have, they are offered bonuses to keep them happy. Emergency hospitals and the state need them. You may be asking why more men are not nurses considering how much money they expect to make.

What is clear is that men have worked as nurses for many years in this country and elsewhere. What some industry insiders are saying is about what's keeping them out is the perception of male nurses. First, what needs to happen is an attitude change. Negative attitudes about male nurses need to change. Obviously, they are stereotypical behaviors that should not be condoned. For example, young boys grow up with the ideas that women are nurses. Even among adults, you will hear about stereotyped roles such as "a woman is a nurse" whereas a man is "a male nurse." Nursing should encourage gender-free role and language. Another thing that keeps men from being nurses is the lack of information about what nurses do on a daily basis. Yes, they can be overworked and understaffed. Many regular people do not get the full story about what nurses do. They do many fun things. They do not only change bedpans. They help doctors make decisions about the best possible care for patients. What needs to happen is a positive campaign that needs to take place in the media. This way, we will not talk about shortage of nurses in the country. The health care system will work better.

What needs to happen to change attitudes about the nursing profession?

Misconceptions must be corrected. Accurate and current info must be provided about the industry. A nurse can work in a variety of settings such as trauma rehabilitation unit, intensive care unit, emergency ward or departments, primary care department and even in Fortune 500 companies, schools and private institutions. Once the public is educated about the value, the independence and rewarding experience of being a nurse, the stereotypes will change. From the school counselors to the job recruiters, more attention should be granted to men who want to have a career change. It would be very helpful if they could get some scholarships to help them out. If men want a lucrative career, nursing is the solution.

So who is man enough to be a nurse?

Men who are carin and compassionate should apply. Men and women of various ethnic and religious backgrounds should apply. The healthcare system wants people of color to become nurses too. Why should they stay away?

Men as well as women will come to the nursing profession for the same reasons. Studies show that they want to care for the sick and injured people. They want a challenging profession, job security and higher standards of living. Some changes are overdue. To recruit men, we as a society need to change the image, culture and language of nursing. Even nursing textbooks publishers need to approve some books by male writers. So far, the majority of textbooks are written by female authors.