Four Challenges Male Nursing Students Continue to Face

Although the numbers of male nursing students enrolling in programs across the country have steadily increased over the past few decades, male students continue to face a few challenges during their education career. These challenges all generally arise from the gender issue at the heart of the nursing profession; however, this doesn't mean that male nursing students should avoid these challenges. If anything, these challenges represent opportunities to make great strides on behalf of future male nursing students.

Cold Recruitment

Many nursing schools still have not fully adjusted their recruiting methods, and this gives prospective male students the impression that the program will not support them upon their enrolling, whether or not that is the reality. If male nursing students wish to improve their program by creating a more diverse atmosphere, then they should consider lending their voice to the recruitment process. They should suggest to the administration ways they could make the program more welcoming to male nurses.

Discrimination

Gender discrimination also commonly occurs in programs. These can range from enduring casual jokes about what 'real men' do to facing an instructor who perhaps stands in the way of a male nursing student's education. Each program will, of course, vary in this regard; however, one thing that male nursing students can do is create or join support groups to help them work through any issues of gender discrimination they experience.

Self-Doubt

Many male nursing students might also experience self-doubt as a unique challenge. In these cases, such self-doubt is normal. Most everyone experiences this at some point or another in their education and career path; however, other challenges can combine to exacerbate the problem. Male nursing students should speak with a mentor or a close friend or family member who can encourage them along the way.

Resistant Patients

Finally, male nursing students often face patients who resist the care of a male nurse. This is perhaps the most unique challenge, and it is one that should be addressed carefully because in nursing the most important aspect is the connection that is developed between patient and nurse. In these instances, a male nursing student would do well to remain calm and sympathetic in understanding the issues the patient has with his presence. Ask the patient if she or he is okay with having a male nurse. If she or he is, then make sure to communicate thoughtfully with that patient throughout the treatment. If she or he isn't okay with your presence, ask if it is okay if you can remain in the room with the patient while a female nurse works with her or him. Even a little gesture like that could help a patient become a little more comfortable with a male nurse. And, most importantly, it helps to establish a connection with that patient.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Kate Willson, who writes on the topics of top online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katewillson2@gmail.com.