Traversing the Funambulist’s Fine Line between Nursing and Male Identity

A Systematic Review of the Factors that Influence Men as They Seek to Navigate the Nursing Profession

Dados Bibliográficos

ID16945596
AutoresDavid Terry (0000-0002-1969-8002), Blake Peck (0000-0002-2444-9780), Clarissa Carden, Alicia J Perkins, Andrew Smith (0000-0001-6541-6187)
Ano2020
Volume10
Fascículo3
Páginas691-703
Data de publicação2020-07-05
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2174-8144 • E-ISSN: 2254-9625
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ejihpe10030051
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas39

Nursing has seen a dominance of women within the profession, and today, the presence of men in the role remains less understood and appreciated. Males considering or entering nursing face challenges concerning role misconception, marginalization, and gender bias. With a looming shortage of nurses on the horizon, it is more important now than ever before to find better ways of engaging males into nursing. The aim of the study was to examine the psychological constructs that influence male perceptions of nursing as they seek to navigate the profession, and what aspects influence men to consider nursing as a career. To achieve this, a systematic review and mixed research synthesis (integrated design) was conducted. English language research published between 1999 and 2019 was eligible. The methodological rigor of qualitative articles followed the Critical Appraisal Skills Program, while the Best Evidence Medical Education guided the quantitative review. Among the 24 publications identified, three sub-themes emerged from the overarching theme of the funambulist or tightrope walker. Sub-themes included societal, inner and collective voices that inform men’s place in nursing or their decision making about entering the profession. There is a need to re-visit what it means to be a nurse in order to address the gendered stereotypes that impact men entering the nursing profession