By Stanley Blunt, student nurse at the University of Northampton
Nursing is often seen as a female profession but there is a growing recognition of the valuable contribution male nurses can make and more is being done to increase male representation across the nursing workforce.
Only about 11% of registered nurses identify as male, and a few years ago the Royal College of Nursing highlighted that nursing is one of the most gender-segregated jobs in the UK[i]. They pointed out that society perpetuates images that frequently portray and readily accept nursing as a role carried out by women and one that men simply do not fit into.
When it comes to nursing specialities focused on children and young people, the gender disparity is even more pronounced and most nurses in this field are female.
Despite the many rewards of a career in nursing, some men may be discouraged from pursuing this path due to societal perceptions. However, the University of Northampton (UON) is actively working to challenge this stereotype and encourage more men to consider nursing as a profession.
By bringing together the unique strengths and qualities of male and female nurses, UON believes that the quality of care provided to children and young people can be enhanced.
I am part of a small but growing group of male nursing students at UON currently training to specialise in providing high-quality care to babies and children up to the age of 18, while also supporting their families.
Although most students enrolled in UON’s “Children & Young People’s Nursing degree” are still female, the 2020-2022 cohort is bucking this trend with a “bumper crop” of seven male students. Through our shared commitment to providing exceptional care, we hope to inspire other men to consider nursing as a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
I’m currently in my final year of nursing school, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with my experience so far. My decision to become a nurse grew from a combination of my interest in science and my natural affinity for working with people. However, a pivotal moment when my younger brother broke his arm and was hospitalised made me realise my calling. I remember visiting him and seeing how hard the nurses worked and how well they interacted and looked after my brother and the family.
From this moment I knew I wanted to do something medical in a role helping people, but it was a bit later that I opted to become a nurse. My mum probably identified before me that nursing would be a great profession for me and encouraged me. At first, I wasn’t sure as no one in my family was a nurse so I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it, so didn’t really have any idea what the job was like. However, I wanted to work with children and realised that children’s nursing was the ideal role and enrolled on the degree.
A colleague of mine on the course had a similar experience. His brother was in hospital with a broken leg and after watching the amazing nurses the seed was planted. There was a male nurse looking after his brother and initially he had assumed he was a doctor, but after realising he was a nurse, he felt that this could be a great career option for him.
Another colleague decided on becoming a nurse after his younger sibling had surgery. What is interesting from all our stories is that we were all exposed to a career that wasn’t actively promoted as an option for men at school. It was pure chance that we saw first-hand what nurses did and realised that it was a career that men could do too.
As a group of male nursing students, we are committed to breaking down barriers and promoting the diversity and inclusivity of the nursing profession. We recognise the invaluable contribution male nurses can bring to patient care and are passionate about challenging the outdated stereotypes and gender biases that persist in the industry.
Through our advocacy and awareness-raising efforts, we hope to encourage more men to consider nursing as a career path and to join us in providing compassionate and high-quality care to those in need.
Whether you are a male or female nurse, working together as a team with diverse experiences and skill sets is what truly enhances patient care. By embracing and celebrating our differences, we can create a more supportive and collaborative healthcare environment that benefits both patients and healthcare professionals alike.
If you are considering a career in nursing, we encourage you to explore the many opportunities available to you. Don’t let outdated stereotypes or gender biases hold you back from pursuing your passion for caring for others. With the UON nursing degrees, you can gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel in this rewarding and fulfilling profession.
[i] https://www.rcn.org.uk/congress/congress-events/male-nurses
