Gender stereotypes affect both women and men working as nurses and those who view nursing as a profession. The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives on the experience and gender roles of male and female students, as well as how they think about their future professional roles.
A descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. The convenience sample consisted of 72 second and third-year full-time nursing students. The data was collected in 2017 by self-completion of a qualitative questionnaire consisting of 11 essay-type questions. Drawing methods were used as an additional data collection method. The data were analyzed using content analysis separately for men and women.
In total, eight topics were proposed, half of which explained the opinions of men and half – the opinions of female students. Students chose nursing for altruistic, opportunistic, and organizational reasons. Another reason was that “family and social incentives” were also identified among female students.
Nursing students, both male and female, face the constraints of gender roles but are willing to challenge this gender perception. Breaking down stereotypes, raising public awareness, using gender-responsive language and recruitment strategies, ensuring gender diversity in nursing teams, and redefining nursing. Curricula, where appropriate, are just some of the impacts that will take place to overcome gender disparities.
My experience overcomes gender disparities in nursing work, making nursing work more effective without regard to past research experience.
Female and male students’ ideas about future professional roles included altruism and a positive perception of “being a nurse”, while male students’ ideas included management and leadership, patient care, including the technical side.
Personal practice in the interaction of different genders will improve communication and overcome disparities in nursing.
Reference
Liu, N. Y., Hsu, W. Y., Hung, C. A., Wu, P. L., & Pai, H. C. (2019). The effect of gender role orientation on student nurses’ caring behavior and critical thinking. International journal of nursing studies, 89(1), 18-23.