Educational experience of male students in a baccalaureate nursing program in China

Hampered by culture norms and social values, the proportion of male nursing students in China is low. Their learning experience will add weight to culturally valid nursing education. This study explored Chinese male nursing students' educational experience in a baccalaureate nursing program. A qualitative approach was used, with a purposive sample of 14 participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed for thematic content. Four theme clusters emerged from the findings: choosing nursing as a career, challenges to studying nursing by gender, dilemma to nursing profession and personal benefits of studying nursing. Most of the participants passively chose nursing major. The data provided evidence that Chinese culture hindered male engaged in nursing. Low admission scores of nursing in NCEE provide an opportunity to recruit male student. Positive aspects of gender neutral portrayal of nursing help to recruit more male nursing students.