The importance of male representation in nursing

Just as women might prefer a woman nurse, men often prefer their nurses to be men. A male nurse provides a comfortable environment to discuss personal issues. Male patients may be less embarrassed if procedures like placing a catheter are carried out by a man. 

Male diversity, especially minority males, also improves patient outcomes. Many studies reveal that when patients are cared for by the same race or ethnicity, they're more likely to receive better care. The Oakland Men's Health Disparity Project revealed that Black patients, especially men, are more likely to receive preventative care services from Black providers.

The president of the American Nursing Association (ANA), Ernest Grant, is the first male nurse to fill the role. He believes diversity in nursing is essential for patients. He states in American Nurse Today, "It's important that the nursing workforce reflects the diversity of our patient populations to increase our ability to provide the culturally competent, quality care patients need, especially when they are most vulnerable. Welcoming people from diverse backgrounds into our profession with their unique perspectives and experiences will only strengthen it."

Barriers men face in the nursing profession

There are many barriers male nurses face once they enter the field. There are many barriers male nurses face once they enter the field. Patrick McMurray, RN, says, "being a man in nursing sometimes means that there are people who feel less safe with you, just by virtue of your gender." Other barriers include:

Taofiki Gafar-Schaner, MSN, RN, notes that although his barriers are "limited" as a nursing student, he was denied witnessing a live birth because of his gender.

Taofiki Gafar-Schaner, MSN, RN, notes that although his barriers are "limited" as a nursing student, he was denied witnessing a live birth because of his gender. "I recall in nursing school I was not allowed to observe live births during my OB rotation. While I respect a family's need for privacy, my gender prevented me from learning. During my career, my gender has led to the assumption that I want to take care of physically and verbally aggressive patients. Being larger and stronger than most of my female coworkers does not mean I want to be hit or yelled at while working."

 

What's it like to be a male nurse 

Patrick and Taofiki entered nursing for different reasons: Patrick for his love of biological sciences and social sciences, Taofiki originally wanted to be a psychologist but was influenced by his mother, a nurse, to enter the field. 

They both find fulfillment in the profession. Taofiki realizes he can "help others on their healing journey." For Patrick, nursing gives him "flexibility to be able to pivot in many different directions. I [can] work with people across the lifespan, in an unlimited number of settings. I also like that nursing [allows] me to be flexible with how I [advance] my knowledge and practice." 

Being male and a person of color comes with prejudice — a harsh reality minority nurses face. Both nurses recounted instances when patients called them racial slurs — that would affect even the strongest of nurses. But this hasn't deterred them from the profession. They both believe that increasing diversity in the nursing profession will only make things better. 

"To properly meet the needs of those entrusted in our care, we must have a diverse healthcare workforce. A diverse workforce also leads to empathic care because we or family members have experienced what our patients are going through. So we treat them as family and not just another number in a bed," says Taofiki.

 

Patrick believes that "diversity and change are essential for the growth of anything — a plant, an organization, a profession. Beyond that, diversity can hold the key for expanding not only who can be a nurse, but also what nursing can be."