5 Reasons Why Men Should Pursue Nursing
Male nurses have become more popular over the last decade and are projected to continue to grow in number. There are many reasons that men should consider nursing as a career.
The nursing field is often viewed as a female-dominated profession, with over 85% of registered nurses (RNs) and nurse anesthetists identifying as female. However, the number of male nurses used to be much higher and male nurses have been common throughout history.
The nursing profession being for women is a negative gender stereotype that has developed recently and there are several reasons that men should also look into nursing jobs.
Why Should Men Consider a Career in Nursing?
Healthcare professionals are among some of the most respected careers because of their roles in saving and preserving lives. Several reasons make a nursing career a great way for men to pursue a healthcare career path.
1. Rapidly Growing Industry
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), American nursing jobs are projected to grow by 6%, which is over double the projected rate for all occupations. Since the pandemic, there has been a high demand and nursing shortages leading to increased job opportunities for students graduating from nursing programs.
2. Potential For High Salary
The nursing workforce is a diverse group including multiple specializations. If a nursing student chooses a specialty like being an emergency room or critical care nurse, there are opportunities to see pay increases. You can also increase your salary with a master's degree in nursing.
3. Helping Male Patients
Many women prefer to have female nurses who can relate to gender-specific conditions, and the same is true of male patients. Male nurses can relate to their male patients about certain conditions in a way their female counterparts can't. When a hospital or doctor's office has a diverse nursing staff, they can help provide the right care for all of their patients.
4. Nursing is a Recession-Resistant Career
Through the Great Recession of the late 2000s and the Pandemic Recession in the early 2020s, nursing remained an in-demand career. Men looking to provide for themselves and their families can benefit from picking a recession-resistant degree program like nursing.
5. Opportunities for Travel
In addition to working in a single hospital or other healthcare provider's office, there are opportunities for travel nursing. Traveling nurses move from hospital to hospital across the country and in a variety of specializations, such as:
In addition to allowing nurses to travel, travel nurses also receive much higher pay on average than their non-traveling counterparts.
History of Men in Nursing
Nursing as a female-dominated profession is relatively recent, in terms of world history. Dating back to the earliest nursing school in ancient India, nursing was a male-only field. Throughout the history of warfare, many battlefield nurses were all men catering to male patients. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that women began to start performing more hands-on nursing work.
FAQs About Male Registered Nurses
Although there is a rich history of men in nursing, many men considering nursing as a career choice have questions about nursing education, nurse's work, and what it's like to be a male nurse.
What Is It Like To Be a Male Nurse?
Being a male nurse is a rewarding career. The actual day-to-day responsibilities will change based on specialization and level of education. Male nurses help with surgeries, general patient care, and more. Much like their female counterparts, male nurses are caregivers focused on advocating for their patients.
Do Male Nurses Get Treated Differently Than Female Nurses?
Due to some gender stereotypes, male nurses are sometimes treated differently than female nurses. Some patients assume that male nurses are doctors, or might not listen to them the way they do female nurses. However, these negative perceptions are changing as more men take careers in nursing. In terms of pay and career opportunities, there won't be any different treatment between male and female nurses.
What Are the Most Popular Nursing Specialties for Men?
Nursing specializations can increase pay and career growth opportunities for male nurses. Some of the most popular specializations include being a:
- forensic nurse
- emergency room (ER) nurse
- public health nurse
What Are the Career Advancement Opportunities for Nurses?
Nurses have a variety of career advancement opportunities in the form of specializations and ongoing education. Many nurses start practicing as a registered nurse after earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). From here they can continue their education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This new degree can allow nurses to pursue executive positions, research roles, and consulting jobs.
What Are the Educational Requirements for Becoming a Nurse?
All nursing jobs require a degree. Some might only require an associate degree in nursing (ADN), but most full-time nurses earn a BSN before starting work. Nursing students also need to make sure they are pursuing a degree from an accredited school. One of the best ways to find an accredited school is to find nursing degree programs recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Is It Hard To Be a Male Nurse?
Nursing is a rewarding career, but it is also an often difficult and challenging one. The day-to-day work of a nurse can be emotionally and physically taxing as many nurses work long days providing care to patients. Although many male nurses view the rewards of the job as more than worth the challenges involved, nursing can be a hard career choice.
How Long Does It Take to Be a Male Nurse?
Becoming a nurse can take different lengths of time, differing mainly based on what nursing degree program you pursue. An ADN or accelerated BSN can take about 2 years to complete, while a regular BSN program will take about 4 years. Another option is to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This level of nursing only requires a certification program that can be completed in 1 to 2 years, but there will be fewer career opportunities for people who complete a certificate program instead of a degree.
What Percentage of RNs Are Male?
According to BLS data, 12% of all nurses (LPNs, RNs, and nurse practitioners) are male. Although this might not seem like a lot, male nurses have increased by 59% from 2013 to 2023, and this number is expected to continue growing as more men choose nursing as a career.