Perceptions of nursing students on men entering nursing as a career

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of nursing students who were enrolled in an under-graduate nursing programme in a rural university, on men entering nursing as a career. Questionnaires were returned by 38 males (63%) and 117 females (50%). The major findings were that male nursing students intend to work in specialty areas such as emergency nursing, operating room nursing and intensive care. Both male and female nursing students perceived that the public displayed an increasing respect and acceptance of male nurses. Differences between male and female nursing students were evident in demographic characteristics, course interests, career aspirations, motivating factors and barriers associated with males choosing a nursing career.