Why women and men choose nursing

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast why women and men choose nursing. Male and female nursing students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program at every class level were interviewed over a two-year period. The interviews enabled the subjects to give voice to their motivations, needs, and expectations. Data were obtained and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. The analyses, performed both by the author and by a second intercoder, included constant comparison with substantive and categorical coding for the purpose of theory generation. While male and female students demonstrated comparable commitment to care for their patients, differences emerged within the construct of power. In addition, there was a strong contrast between male and female students regarding practical motivations for choosing nursing (e.g., salary and working conditions).