Socialization of Men to the Nursing Profession.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Due to increasing population growth and worldwide shortage of nurses, in recent years, attentions has been directed towards attracting more men in nursing. However, due to the nature of nursing, working conditions and the nature of nursing, working conditions and the image of nursing as a gendered profession, it seems that minimal progress has been made in current efforts to attract more men in nursing. Although more men are entering nursing, the attrition rate for men in nursing schools and clinical practice are disproportionately higher than their female counterparts. The aim of present study was to explore how men are socialization of men in nursing. Methods: This study is a qualitative design based on grounded theory approach that conducted in 2011 -2013. The main participants in this study were male nurse working in teaching hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Selection of participants was initiated using purposeful and snowball sampling and continued by theoretical sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. The main data collecting tool was semi –structure interviews. A total of 25 interviews were performed with 22 participants. Data were analyzed based on Corbin and Strauss 2008 approach. Results: The four main categories/ themes related to contextual factors including the image of nursing, support, motivation, and the realities of clinical practice. The core category titled as remaining: trying to change the conditions in according with gender properties referred to strategies implemented by these participants to stay and being accepted in the profession. These strategies or action /interaction including getting information, conformity and self -representing. Feeling powerlessness, social concealment, dubiousness between remaining or quitting and routinization are the main consequences of these strategies that cause people move back and forth between stages or become fixed in a stage. Conclusion: The findings of this study implicates that men are willing to enter the profession and serve. However, improving the image of nurses and increasing public awareness of nursing as a career choice for men, providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for male nurses in educational and clinical settings, considering the educational needs of men in nursing schools, respect to differences in how men and women nurse represent caring behaviors, and address nurses professional issues are of utmost importance to recruit and retain men in nursing.