DiversityNursing Blog

Historically, Nursing has been viewed as a female-dominated profession, but a noticeable shift is occurring. The number of men entering the Nursing field has significantly increased in recent years. This trend reflects a broader recognition of Nursing as a versatile and rewarding career for individuals of all genders.

The Rise of Male Nurses

Over the past few decades, the percentage of male Nurses in the U.S. has steadily risen. In 1970, only 2.7% of Registered Nurses were men. By 2023, that figure had climbed to nearly 13%, with certain specialties, such as Nurse Anesthetists, showing even higher representation. This growth indicates a gradual breakdown of gender stereotypes surrounding caregiving roles.

Why Men Choose Nursing

Numerous factors are influencing men to view Nursing as a viable career path. A key reason is the assurance of job security, which is particularly attractive in times of economic instability. The healthcare sector, and Nursing specifically, is renowned for its stability due to the ongoing demand for skilled professionals to care for an aging population and tackle various health issues.

Beyond job security, Nursing provides competitive salaries often paired with comprehensive benefits packages, making it an appealing choice for those seeking financial stability and growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, the median wage for Registered Nurses was $86,070 per year, or $41.38 per hour.

The Nursing field offers opportunities for career advancement, presenting a clear trajectory for individuals who are ambitious and eager to enhance their education and skills. Nurses have the option to pursue advanced degrees and certifications, enabling them to specialize in areas such as Nurse practitioner roles, leadership positions, or even academic and research opportunities. 

There is a wide array of Nursing specialties—from critical care, to informatics. This diversity within the profession allows Nurses to customize their careers to align with their interests and strengths, ensuring a rewarding and dynamic work experience.

Impact on the Profession

The increasing presence of men in Nursing contributes to the profession's diversity, which enhances team dynamics and patient care. Diverse perspectives allow healthcare teams to address a broader range of patient needs and foster an inclusive environment. Patients, too, benefit from this diversity, as some may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues with a Nurse of a specific gender.

Challenges Remain

Despite progress, men in Nursing still face challenges, including lingering stereotypes and assumptions about their motivations for entering the field. Addressing these biases is crucial to fostering an equitable and welcoming workplace for all. Some stereotypes of men in Nursing include:

Failed Doctor Aspiration: Assumes male Nurses became Nurses because they couldn't get into medical school, ignoring that Nursing is a distinct and purposeful profession.

Limited Empathy: Suggests male Nurses are less compassionate or nurturing compared to female Nurses, despite many excelling in patient care.

Only Work in Specialized Areas: Stereotypes male Nurses as only working in high-intensity specialties like emergency rooms, critical care, or surgery.

Physically Strong but Emotionally Distant: Suggests male Nurses are mainly valued for their physical strength, for tasks like lifting patients, rather than their emotional or clinical skills.

Increased Authority: Assumes male Nurses automatically have more authority or are leaders, based solely on gender, even when they have the same or less experience than female colleagues.

Sexual Orientation Assumptions: Associates male Nurses with specific sexual orientations, often unfairly and inaccurately stereotyping their personal lives.

Moving Forward

As the Nursing profession continues to evolve, efforts to promote gender diversity should remain a priority. By breaking down outdated stereotypes and emphasizing the value men bring to Nursing, the field can attract a wider range of talent, ultimately improving patient care.

Men in Nursing represent more than just a growing statistic; they are a testament to the profession's adaptability and inclusivity in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

Men become Nurses for the same reason women do, to take care of people. And even though Male Nurses are becoming more common, they still face constant stereotyping on the job.

In order to provide optimum care and reduce health disparities, our healthcare professionals should be as diverse as the patient population they serve. This means Men must become equally represented in the Nursing field.

Increasing the number of Men in Nursing is seen as difficult because of social stigmas and stereotypes. Some common stereotypes that must be crushed are:

Women's Work

Nursing is viewed as a female dominated profession, but that is changing. Back in the 1960's Men made up about 2% of Nurses in the United States. In 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is closer to 13%. 

People tend to associate caregiving and nurturing with women's roles and simply because of their gender, Men are believed to be lacking these things and can't be a good Nurse. This of course isn't true. 

This misconception can dissuade skilled and caring men from entering the field, preventing them from truly helping people.

“In my neighborhood, especially my old friends, they always thought that being a Nurse was a job for females,” said Geovany Ruiz, who plans to work as an Oncology Nurse. “So, I put off being a Nurse for a long time. But when it comes down to doing the job, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. We can both do the job.”

Sexual Orientation

Other stereotypes that branch from the field being female dominated is Men's sexual orientation, including the belief that male Nurses are Gay. Or the opposite belief that Men join the profession with a higher female to male ratio with the idea that they have a better chance to achieve relationships.

"It's important to note this stereotype is often fueled by a patient's own insecurities and fears. Don't take it personally; keep calm and be patient with them. Again, educating patients on the evolving role of Nursing and how it's not a gender-specific role can help combat this stereotype," advises George Zangaro, RN, FAAN, Associate Dean at Walden University School of Nursing.

Doctor or Failed Doctor

Some people see a Man in scrubs or with a stethoscope and assume he is a Doctor. Other people assume that when a Male Nurse isn't a Doctor it's because he failed to become one. This harmful stereotype is rooted in the belief that Nurses are inferior to Physicians and that Nurses are Women and Doctors are Men.

Television and movies have a strong influence on society’s perception of Men and Women in healthcare.

Mark Gustin, RN, at Brandon Regional Hospital said, “The worst thing for Men in Nursing was 'Meet the Parents' because it emphasized the social stigma that Women are Nurses and Men are Doctors, Directors, and CEOs.”

A great way to combat these stereotypes is by educating patients that Nursing is not gender-specific and that Women are also entering a number of typically male-dominated fields.