Why women and men choose nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Sociology of Professions
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Nursing is a predominantly female profession, but male enrollment is increasing.
• Understanding diverse motivations for entering nursing is crucial for recruitment and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare and contrast the motivations of male and female students entering baccalaureate nursing programs.
• To explore the needs and expectations influencing career choices in nursing.

Main Methods:

• Grounded theory methodology was employed for data collection and analysis.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with male and female nursing students across all class levels over two years.
• Constant comparison, substantive, and categorical coding were used for theory generation.

Main Results:

• Both male and female students exhibited a comparable commitment to patient care.
• Significant differences were observed in the construct of power.
• Practical motivations, including salary and working conditions, showed a strong contrast between genders.

Conclusions:

• While core values of care are shared, gender influences perceptions of power and practical considerations in nursing.
• Findings highlight the need for tailored approaches to attract and retain diverse nursing students.
• Further research into gendered experiences within nursing is warranted.