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Clinical practice experience of male nursing students and nurses: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
Jing Tian1, Wen Gu1, Xiaoxia Ren1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/ West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Aim:
To explore the clinical experiences of male nursing students and nurses, focusing on their challenges and opportunities.
Background:
The nursing profession globally exhibits a significant gender imbalance, with men remaining a underrepresented minority. Male nursing students and nurses face unique structural barriers-including gender stereotypes, cultural taboos and exclusionary practices during clinical training. These challenges contribute to lower professional identity and higher attrition rates.
Design:
Systematic review.
Methods:
To identify qualitative studies eligible for inclusion on the clinical placement experiences of male nursing students and nurses, a literature search was conducted in seven databases (CNKI, Wanfang, Cochrane, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase) from December 1990 to March 2025. The study was conducted in accordance with the ENTREQ guidelines. The included studies were assessed for quality using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for Qualitative Research and their findings were synthesized.
Results:
A total of 16 studies were included, with 75 main findings extracted, summarized into 9 sub-themes and organized into 4 main themes: 1. The Interplay of Gender, Culture and Professional Entry; 2. Navigating the Clinical Learning Environment; 3. Career Trajectory, Resilience and Strategic Advancement; and 4. Support Systems and the Formation of a Positive Professional Identity.
Conclusions:
Addressing the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by male nursing students and nurses requires concerted efforts from educators and healthcare leaders. By leveraging their strengths, reducing barriers and creating clear development pathways, we can significantly improve their clinical practice and professional growth.
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