Exploring occupational gender-role stereotypes of male nurses: A South African study

The aim of the study was to investigate stereotypes of occupational gender roles about male nurses, as viewed from both emic and etic perspectives.

Male nurses are a minority group in health institutions. Stereotypes have been questioned regarding these males' occupational role and presence in the nursing profession.

A qualitative description design was used.

During 2016, semi-structured interviews (N = 30) were conducted with male nurses (n = 10) (emic group), female nurses (n = 10) and discharged patients (n = 10) (etic groups) from four public hospitals.

Seven categories with respective themes and subthemes emerged. Three categories were captured for emic groups, namely, existing stereotypes, experiences of stereotyping and the influences of stereotypes on work performance. Four categories emerged for etic groups, namely, treatment preferences, types of stereotyping towards male nurses, origin of stereotypes and effects of stereotypes.

Positive and negative stereotypes were reported by both emic and etic groups, with etic groups revealing more stereotypes. Effort should be made by both management in the practice environment and the media to counter the stereotyping of male nurses.