Despite the Barriers Men Nurses are Satisfied with Career Choices

J. Creina Twomey; R.J.  Meadus

Authors

J. Creina Twomey Memorial University of Newfoundland
R.J. Meadus Memorial University of Newfoundland

Keywords:

male nurses, career choice, barriers, career satisfaction

Abstract

Men remain a minority in the nursing profession. In 2005, 5.6 per cent of the nurses in Canada were men (Canadian Nurses Association [CNA], 2005); while in the United States (U.S.) men comprise about 5.8 per cent of the registered nurses (U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], 2004). Although the basis for this gender imbalance has been discussed in the literature, there is a paucity of data regarding reasons why men choose nursing as a career, perceived barriers experienced in practice, and factors associated with career satisfaction. A descriptive design was used by the researchers to examine these questions among a group of male registered nurses (N = 250) in one Canadian province. Knowledge about reasons why men choose nursing, the barriers they experience in practice, and information about factors that impact career satisfaction may help to attract men into the nursing profession, and aid development of recruitment and retention strategies.

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