Pursuing a career in nursing: differences between men and women qualifying as registered general nurses

Much interest currently focuses on differences in the career intentions and career pathways of men and women nurses. This study seeks to add to existing knowledge on this subject with findings from a survey of newly qualified registered general nurses. Questionnaires were sent to a cohort of 1164 nurses, 87% of whom responded. Data from the 936 women and 79 men were compared in relation to educational and employment background, routes into nursing and career intentions at qualification. Procedures for modelling of categorical data were applied to these data within the constraints of the study design. Findings showed that men were less likely than women to have entered nursing as a first choice and less likely to intend working in the community after qualification. Men were more likely than women to plan to move out of clinical practice and more likely to plan pursuing a postgraduate qualification. Other differences between men and women were suggested, but limitations of the study design mean that drawing of conclusions had to be more tentative. Consequently, further research on this subject is warranted.