Gender roles in the nursing profession

sexuality roles in the hold dear businessThe discussion of the results is presented in this chapter. More specifically, it presents, the demographic information ga in that locationd, the human raceful suckles point of view in choosing to be in the breast feeding trade, their experiences as anthropoid fosters, and the stereotyping regarding staminates experienced in the business. Most importantly, this chapter of the thesis presents relevant literature that supported and disputed the results prime by the interrogation. Also, the strengths and limitations of the airfield be discussed.5.2 Demographic infoThe thesis results showed, in relation to the demographic data, that the majority, 28 nurses, or 80.7% of the staminate nurses were between the ages of 20 to 35 yrs old and that 32.2% worked for less than five years. This data conformed to the data collected from a soft study of Lou et. al., (2009), where 83.8% of the tellicipants were down the stairs the age o f 35 years, and 49.4% had been working(a) for less than five years.The present results queered that a greater part of the young-be drop deadting(prenominal) nurse population was diploma holders (59%) and 26% baccalaureate graduates. These results ar similar to Lous et. al., (2009), studies conducted in Taiwan where 47.1% of masculine nurses were in the possession of an undergraduate degree The thesis results showed that antheral nurses usually worked in masculine wards (58%) and assorted wards (42%) and never (0%) in womanish wards. These mixed or male wards include the emergency depart workforcet, operational room, pediatric atomic number 18a, psychiatry, medical atomic number 18a, and intensive c atomic number 18 unit of measure custodyt (LaRocco, 2007).Similarly, in Norway and former(a) Western countries, male nurses usually worked within the wellness sectors limited parts such as the psychiatry and acute medicine ward and administration (Bakken 2001). In terms of s peciality, 24% worked in the operating rooms (Lou, et.al. 2009, p 905). In concomitant, psychiatry is superstar and lonesome(prenominal)(a) of the nigh car park fields where 15% of all male nurses transfer to (Abrahamsen, 2004). shape up more(prenominal), Dassen et.al. (1990) prime that in The Netherlands, work force were dominating technical wards, and critical cargon units(p.367). It seems that they wanted to be involved in less feminine aspect of nursing. As Evans argues (1997), to agree his reputation in patriarchal society, men in nursing excogitate divergent strategies as to occupy administrative and elite specialty positions in order to protect themselves from the feminine image of nursing .The latest results from UK reveal that one third of the closely 100,000 nurses who surrender a mental health qualification are men (Torjensen Waters, 2010, p.21).In the 1960s, men were non allowed to destroy the delivery room and this still remains until today. level off though unfairness is diminishing, situations the likes of these in areas such as the obstetrics and gynecology departments stick (Chung, 2006). This may then be attri yeted as the primary reason wherefore the study results instal that 0% of the chemical reactions worked in effeminate wards. However, it is worth mentioning that in Malta, up to the 1960s pistillate nurses were excluded from the male wards (Camilleri, 1964).5.3 Challenges that male nurses encounter at workThe present findings indicated that approximately half of male nurses were aware of opportunities in the nursing profession. With increased postgraduate qualifications, pursuance of managerial positions is fast paced (OLynn Tranberger, 2006, Marsland, et al, 2003) among the male nurse respondents, and their propensity to earn more is improved (Hader, 2005). Also, studies set up that it is easier or quicker for males to acquire top managerial positions than their female counterparts (Kvande 1998, Hoel 1995). S imilarly, Abrahamsen (2002), findings showed that 70% of male nurses after twenty years from graduation were in leaders position, and away from somatic wards. Furthermore, Yang (2004) found that the male nurses future(a) development has more likely because their life historys would non be disrupted by a maternity leave. In addition, an interview done by LaRocco (2007), confirms as one man verbalise that being a male in a preponderantly female profession sets you up to be recognized (p.127).In contrast, most of the respondents in this survey, or 61% disagreed that men in nursing are promoted quickly, which is not in the system with the program line of Williams (1992), that men in nursing are privileged minority which enables them to move out of female dominated profession by the glass escalator to the most rewarded and respected railway lines reserved completely for men in this patriarchal society.In relation to this, LaRoccos (2007), study showed that one man revealed his income to be below $50,000, while triple indicated that theirs was greater than $100,000 per year (p.123). However, the findings of Stoltenberg et.al.,(2008), suggest that nursing needs to continue to raise the bar pay, because that 46.67% of male nurses rated nursing as financially rewarding. Hence, these results are in agreement with the thesis results findings where only 32% of male nurses agreed that nursing provides tidy salary and benefits.Despite these advantages, some men, however, find inequities in other fields, like obstetrics and gynecology, which put considerable pressure on them (Williams 1995, Tseng 1997). Truly, Hart (2005) found that 56% of male nurses were seen as muscles(p.48), and uncaring by their female colleagues, erect because of their gender. This then puts a strain on how the male and female nurses herald with their colleagues (Hart, 2005).Furthermore, some studies found that males perceive that being in a predominantly female profession brings slight ly a low status upon the male nurses (MacDougall, 1997 Williams, 1989). In History of Nursing in Malta, during 19th Century, it was written that the affable class from which nurses were recruited was illiterate and without any education, and that the same conditions existed in other European countries (Camilleri,1964). Also, labeling nursing as an extension of womens domestic role devaluated profession in relation to male occupation. Although this image is changing, many negative images still persist. Further still, in relation to the slight increase of men in the nursing profession, uneven numbers of male nurses are leaving compared to female nurses over collectable to deficient respect from their colleagues, job dissatisfaction and problems arising in a predominantly female profession (Sochalski, 2002).However, results in this research revealed that majority, or 88%of respondents disagreed that men in nursing rule insecure because it is a female dominated profession. Findings i n this thesis suggest that male nurses in Malta do not musical note as they are crossing segregated work boundaries, and infiltrate in female domain (Bagilhole Cross 2006, p.35). In addition to, 71% of men in nursing in this survey expressed that they are fulfill with the work they do. As one respondent wrote nursing is a males profession as the other profession or jobs are. Hence, this result tally with findings of Rochlen et. al., (2009) where men employed as nurses were satisfied with their work in non-traditional career. According to Avery (2007), scorn the feminine image in nursing, nursing is profession for everyone, due to the fact that men were present in nursing since 250 B.C when males-only nursing schools opened in India(p.1). They continued playing an important role in nursing (Meadus, 2000), until Florence nightingale stated that Every woman is a nurse, establishing nursing as only one gender profession.(Fitzerald, 2007), and portraying the presence of the men nurse in this profession as an anomaly(Meadus, 2000, p.6).5.4 Respondents motivation for choosing a traditionally female professionThe present findings indicated that 48% or fifteen male nurses choose the nursing profession to help others. As one male nurse replied on that point is nothing better than being able to help batch, and bringing grin to others. However, 16% or 5 respondents stated that the money kept them in the profession. These results coincide well with previous studies of Bartlett et.al.,(1999) where altruism and job satisfaction, or else than extrinsic rewards, have been found to be the main motivating divisor for male nurses. Furthermore, Laroccos (2007) study showed that eight men specifically stated that connecting with patients and aiding people are important factors when nursing is considered. One participant in addition added that I just thought of nursing as caring for patients (LaRocco, 2007, p.126).Moreover, according to Boughn (1994), brownish and Srones (1971), Bush (1976), Garvin (1976), Mannino (1963) and Perkins et al. (1993), interaction with patients and helping people are important reasons in choosing nursing. Even Taylor et al. (1983), Skevington Dawkes, (1988), Galbraith, (1991), Cyr, (1992), Kelly, et al (1996), MacDougall, (1997) suggested that caring for others and having the desire to be of help is a main factor for men in choosing a career in nursing.Family and friends to a fault served as the motivation for the resulting 26% or 8 of the male nurses who took part in this thesis survey. Positive family influence, like a nurse relative, a mother who is a nurse, became a correct motivation for men. Moreover, in La Roccos (2007) study, five of the interviewees had a mother nurse. This response was found to be similar to the results of this thesis where three males had a mother nurse, and surprisingly one respondent had both parents working as nurses. Also, these findings conformed to the data collected from a qualitativ e research of Whittock et. al., (2003), where positive influence, for most participants, on choosing nursing as a career comes from the parents, specifically mothers who worked in nursing sector or other healthcare profession. Also, friends who gave positive reactions helped with their career choice of being a nurse (LaRocco, 2007). Eleven men in LaRoccos (2007) study, claimed that their family was very pleased with their career choice.In contrast, some men were discouraged by both family and friends, to slip in the field of nursing and other medical fields (LaRocco, 2007). As found in a study done in the UK, only 12% of the male nurses said that their parents were happy about their career choice (Skevington Dawkes, 1988). Abrahamsen (2004), also stated that most men who decide to qualify as a nurse find themselves problematic because the decision to become a nurse causes family and friends disbelief and surprise. In a society where nursing is seen as a female profession, very of ten family and friends ask, You want to be a nurse? Why not a doctor? I guess they go through that traditionally males are doctors and females are nurses.( Chung, 2006, p.1).Other than that, ten percent of the male nurses who served as the respondents for this study stated that their motivation was good pay and security. It seems that nursing in Malta, according to the data collected from the survey, is being one of the snuff it secure job posts, as one respondent replied. Furthermore, Yang (2004), interviewed a man who stated One day I noticed a statement in the newspaper which said, Male nurses earn as much as NT$ 50,000 per month, so I put nursing department down on my form as my choice (Yang, 2004, p.645). In addition, LaRocco (2007), also had a dialogue with a male nurse who stated I knew I would always have a job, and I did it for a steady job that I could handle (LaRocco, 2007, p.125 ). Most importantly, Boughn (1994) found that money and job security were cardinal major motivations for choosing nursing. On the other hand, Simpson (2005), found several reasons that motivate men to seek a non-traditional career, and one of them was that most were not seeking entry(p.365). They entered female-dominated occupations almost bydefault in that they were not actively seeking such entry, but only if fell into it.(Williams Villemezs s, 1993 p. 66.)These results are in agreement with the results in this study where, three or 10% of respondents couldnt give the reason for choosing nursing as a career, which suggests, as found previously, that they were not actively seeking such job but simply fell into it, either through availability or convenience(Simpson , 2005, p.365).Finally, the least percentage of participant stated that they considered nursing as a last resort and one even said I didnt get accepted by any school except for that nursing one, so it was my only choice, and I studied there (Yang 2004, p.645). The findings in this thesis revealed that dev il nurses or 6% didnt have other career opportunity, which supports the previous research results of Yang (2004). The findings also showed that these nurses were age over 40 and with working experience of more than 20 years. These two respondents stated that fear to change, and lack of a good opportunity where the reasons for remaining in nursing profession.5.5 Perceived embosss of men in nursingIn addition to the problem that nursing is a female profession, male nurses also have to face the problem of overcoming the stereotype that they are gay or effeminate (Williams, 1995). Some of the stereotypes that these male nurse have to contend with were presented in the thesis results that 52% of male nurses were not embarrass of their choice of profession. These results are similar to the findings of Hart (2005), where 40% of respondents sometimes feel awkward or defensive when asked about their profession(p.47). According to the thesis results, most of the respondents or 64% strongly disagreed that men in nursing are being questioned if they are a real men. Furthermore, 77% disagreed that men in nursing are too gay or feminine. These findings revealed that they are not in agreement with the results of several studies that have found supporting data regarding these stereotypes. For example, because of inequities, male nurses informality is usually questioned and they are labelled as homosexuals (Kelly, et al, 1996). Moreover, Wingfield also reported that men in nursing consider themselves as sufferers of discriminatory abuse, with a respondent even claiming that Ive been called awful things-you faggot this, you faggot that (2009, p.23). Furthermore, Harding (2007), explored discourses which sort out or labeled male nurses as gay and conflate homosexuals and sexual predators(p.639). Also Harding (2007) reported that majority of men in nursing are heterosexual but public perception is still that most male nurses are gay. This stereotype persists only in general nursing, men working as psychiatric nurses are perceived as masculine due to need of physical strength. Although society is worthy more comfortable with men as nurses, nearly half or 48% of the respondents experienced the stereotype that men choose nursing because they failed to enter a medical course.Because of the situations and stereotypes, a more serious stereotypical belief was formed that male nurses are not appropriate caregivers (Evans, 2002). Truly, different societal norms have created concepts of caring as something that is not included in masculine images of males, and that caring falls under a female conception (Evans, 2002). Evans (2002) found out that for men nurses jot patients is potentially dangerous, and that men are vulnerable caregivers(p. 7). Similar results were found by Abrahamsen (2004), where male nurses were minority in somatic wards due to the fact that they were pressurized by their friends and family to apply for more masculine jobs or seek a leadershi p positions, because it is not natural for men to undertake intimate nursing tasks (p.12).Gender stereotyping creates a compound and conflicting situation of rejection, acceptance and doubt for male nurses ability as caregivers and nurturers (Evans, 2002). Thus, as a sad effect of this, and to vitiate tight situations, some male nurses alter their caring principles and nursing roles (Egeland Brown, 1989 Kauppinen-Toropainen Lammi, 1993). Even though, studies of Ekstrom (1999) resulted that male nurses exhibit lower caring behaviours, they in general, do not effect the care given to the patients. As Mac Doughall (1997) stated, man do have ability to care, but they need to be shown how. (p.813). Lately, society is becoming more comfortable with men as nurses. As Cyr (1992), stated, the art and acquaintance of nursing has not always been a predominantly female profession(p.54).5.6 expiryIn all, this chapter has presented a discussion of the findings of the study. The various demog raphic profiles of the respondents, the reasons for choosing nursing, the experiences, and the stereotypes among male nurses in Malta were presented, with subsequent presentations of other relevant studies. At the end of the analysis and discussion, it was found that various related literatures, both old and new, confirmed the results of the study, while there were a few others that disputed it. Overall, the findings suggested that men employed in nursing, are just as committed to the profession as women.5.7 Strengths and Limitations of the studyIt should be noted that this study has several limitations and strengths. Firstly, the chosen sample does not establish male nurses as a whole. The male nurses that work in Gozo, and other different hospitals in Malta were not included in this research. Moreover, a acceptable response rate (88.6%) helped strengthen the outcome of the study.However, the purpose of the study was not intended to allow generalisation among the male nurses worki ng in different hospitals in Malta and Gozo.Secondly, a self- administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and thus all data that were used in this study were self-reported. Although the questions for the survey were carefully chosen and modified by the researcher reading an extensive literature especially smith (2008), it seems that some of the respondents did not understand that their sexual orientation was not questioned, but only concept of gender stereotype. To avoid similar misunderstandings, in future studies, a focus group design method could contribute to apologize the motivation for choosing nursing as a profession, and career development of male nurses in a female dominated profession.The rather high response rate of 88.5% indicated that male nurses were interested in subject, and this helped strengthen the outcome of the study. Although in this study, the research tool was a questionnaire, some qualitative data were also obtained.Despite being time limited pri or to specific deadlines, this study has educated and motivated the researcher to understand more nursing as a science.Although this study was purely quantitative, some findings provided valuable information about male nurses in a female dominated profession. Further qualitative research could give clearer picture about the real perceptions of men in nursing, and establish the extent to which the findings from this research can be applied in more general context. The next chapter shall conclude this dissertation with recommendation for further research, and implications in nursing.