A nursing career offers gratification and endless opportunities for passionate and caring individuals. In recent years, more men have chosen to embark on the journey toward becoming a nursing carer. While nursing is historically associated with being a female-dominated profession, qualified and compassionate male nurses are essential.
Male nurses bring unique skills, perspectives, and qualities that diversify the nursing profession and improve the patient experience. East Ohio College (EOC) recognizes that male nurses provide invaluable contributions to the nursing team, and a career in nursing is often desirable for individuals looking for stability and meaningful work. With the need for nurses at an all-time high, EOC provides five reasons men should consider pursuing a career in nursing!
1. Help Address The Nursing Shortage
The healthcare industry has faced significant workforce shortages in the wake of the global pandemic. These challenges can be attributed to several factors, including the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aging population requiring more medical care, the retirement of the current workforce, nursing burnout, and a lack of qualified nurses to instruct students.
Healthcare workers of all types are in high demand, making now an excellent time to enter a nursing career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics^ predicts that there will be a 6% national growth of registered nurse positions from 2023 to 2033. As more nurses become educated and enter the workforce, staffing shortages will decrease, allowing nurses to provide better care for their patients and manage their mental health.
2. Break Gender Stereotypes
Male nurses often face an array of biases and stereotypes, whether consciously or unconsciously, based on the long-standing history of nurses being primarily female. Nurses are compassionate individuals who care for their patients like they are family. Unfortunately, over the years, the media has played a role in instilling stereotypes that male nurses are less compassionate and empathetic than their female counterparts. This notion leads to a lack of diversity in healthcare; diversity is essential to provide patients with the best care possible.
Instead of being judged prematurely based on gender, nurses should be appreciated for their commitment to their patient’s health, skills, knowledge, and contributions to the healthcare team. Male nurses are positioned uniquely to educate patients and the public on the importance of a diverse nursing team and help break the stereotype against male nurses for generations to come.
3. Have Vast Career Options
Nursing is a profession that offers seemingly endless opportunities for someone passionate and motivated to make a difference. Registered nurses can pursue many areas of healthcare and specialties that align with their interests and capabilities. Nurses can also continue their education to take on leadership roles. Additionally, nursing is a sought-after profession because of the job security, benefits, and competitive salaries provided to nurses.
Male nurses bring a unique skill set and perspective to the nursing team, making them invaluable to the function of many specializations. According to Indeed, some of the most commonly pursued specialties for male nurses include working in the emergency department, intensive care unit, as nurse anesthetists, and as nursing instructors.
4. Improve The Patient Experience
Male nurses are uniquely positioned to connect emotionally with their patients, providing excellent care to populations who may otherwise feel uncomfortable in a medical setting. Their presence can make a significant difference, as some male patients may prefer to work with a male nurse, feeling more comfortable sharing sensitive information with someone of the same gender. This underscores the value and integral role male nurses play in the healthcare system.
Diversity in the nursing staff should reflect the population they serve, making the need for male nurses crucial. As more male nurses enter the profession, nursing schedulers will have more flexibility to meet patients’ wishes, and nurses will have more opportunities to provide excellent care.
5. Be A Role Model
Finally, male nurses serve as role models for the next generation of healthcare. As boys and young men look to the current nurse workforce and see male nurses thriving and overcoming stereotypes, they will realize that their passion for helping others can be turned into a successful career.
By demonstrating that men can and should become nurses, the gender balance within the nursing profession will become more equal, and stigmas toward male nurses will become a concept of the past.
Start Your Nursing Journey at EOC!
Do you dream of a nursing career where you can help others and make a difference? That future is within reach with the help of East Ohio College! Our accelerated Nursing program equips you with the skills, knowledge, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN* examination in only 18 months!
Don’t spend another year wondering what your life could be like; get started today on the path to becoming a nurse by requesting information from East Ohio College.
^While this number represents a national average, employment demands may vary by state and region.
*Passing the NCELX-RN examination is required to become a Registered Nurse.