Gender Inequality in the Nursing Profession

Gender Inequality in the Nursing concernOver the quondam(prenominal) ten years, the handicraft of treat has seen an increase to the number of mannish imbibes (Cite). disdain this fact, manpower restrained comprise the minority within the treat craft both in Canada and the get together States, in fact, c argon for corpse star of the most fe mannish-dominated origins. To most individuals, this seems an appropriate if not a inherent occurrent as wo custody ar much natur entirelyy suited to the concern (Cite). galore(postnominal) factors contri neverthelesse to this bias however, a review of the history of this pheno custodyon has awardn that the first nurses were real workforce as opposed to wo workforce (Cite). Ironically, wo hands provoke made enormous strides into antecedently masculine-dominated affairs, while the move custodyt of men in treat has been quite the polar (MacPhail, 1996). Ideas of appropriate behavior according to turn onual urge vary among cultures and eras by and large collect to what familiarity deems appropriate. In the recent past we hasten seen this concept adapt to the changing needs of our communities by dint of the support of the movement of women into mannish-dominated professions. While this remains a laudable achievement, virtually no support has been leave alonen to men to break into professions dominated by women, such(prenominal) as nurse (Cite). supposed PerspectivesHistorically, breast feeding is considered a single- awaken concern, identified as a contribution that is inherently natural to the effeminate gender. Thus, it has become identified as a profession deeply embedded in the gender-based power relations of companionship. Nursing is an occupation established by women it supports the stereotypical feminine theatrical bureau with traits of nurturing, compassionate, and gentleness in contrast to masculine characteristics of strength, aggression, and dominance (Evans, 2002). Fo r this reason, occupations requiring these qualities commit been considered exclusively suited to women, and denominate womens work.However, the art and science of breast feeding has not always been a preponderantly fe virile profession (Evans, 2004). Men have played a plethoric bureau in organized treat dating back to 330 A.D. in the Byzantine Empire. During this era, hospitals were one of the major institutions where nurse emerged as a break in occupation, primarily for men. to a greater extentoer, military, religious, and lay grades of men known as nurses have a long history of caring for the sick and injured during the Crusades in the llth blow (MacPhail, 1996). In the United States, men served as nurses during the Civil War. John Simon, the lesser-known cope with of Florence Nightingale, was the founder of an experimental field hospital in Ger more during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). young-begetting(prenominal) nurses were hired to staff the hospital, and mo rtality rates among the troops were kept abnormally low (Evans, 2004). Unfortunately, men were not possessed readily in care for schools for many years. Interestingly, in 1888, Darius Odgen Mills established the first male nursing school in America, based at Bellevue Hospital in innovative York City. This school of nursing provided education and training for nurses to c be for psychiatric patients. However, it appears that this mens office to nursing has been forgotten. This nonrecognition has likewise perpetuated the feminine image of nursing in beau monde and the perception of the male nurse as an anomalyGenerally, nursing as we know it like a shot came to be regarded as a womans profession by dint of the efforts initiated and developed by Florence Nightingale during the 19th century. She saw nursing as suitable for women because it was an extension of their domestic role. It was assumed that it was natural for women to become nurses because of their born(p) c atomic number 18giving and healing traits nursing was not a place for men. At that time, more(prenominal) and more women entered the profession of nursing. Nightingales image of the nurse as subordinate, nurturing, domestic, humble, and self-sacrificing, as puff up as not too educated, became prevalent in society. The ostracization of men in nursing was established.Factors Contributing to Gender Inequality in the Nursing ProfessionAccording to several(prenominal) authors, one major barrier that whitethorn dissuade men from debut the profession is nursings traditional image. Nursings image perpetuates cultural understandings and cordial attitudes close occupations appropriate for men and women. As such, nursing remains stereotype as a womanish occupation. After all, gender-role socialization patterns in society provide examples of ways in which boys and girls atomic number 18 exposed to different role models and different me sages rough what is appropriate to each gender. Society has presented men with voiceless stereotypical boundaries concerning masculine or feminine behavior. Men who choose nursing as a locomote risk challenging traditional gender-defined roles and stereotypes (Evans, 2002 Nelson Belcher, 2006).These stereotypes-enhanced by social, political, and frugal systems-often lead to discrimination for men choosing flights outside their gender. Males appear to fiddle more negative criticism from the public on entering female-identified occupations. For example, they ar held suspect and penalized for role violation. Furthermore, these traditionally female jobs are perceived by society as a step down in term (Williams, 1992). Accordingly, these beliefs deter men from pursuing nontraditional careers.It is troublesome for some to accept the image of men as caring, compassionate, and gentle. Men wanting to enter the female-identified occupation challenge societys stereotypical image of nursing. Some scholars have argued that caring and nurturing traits are not exclusive to women.These traits, however, are not inherent in the biologic and social nature of the sexes, but are cultural constructs beef up by the social activities associated with being male or female. Evans (2004) maintains that gender and politics have influenced how the responsibility for caring activities has been settled exclusively on women. Actually, this appropriation has influenced how the breakdown of labor is postulated along gender lines, meaning that occupations are socially or culturally defined through constructions of gender.Thus, because ones identity is linked to the sex/gender system in society, it is difficult to rethink the concept of masculinity. As such, men in or aspiring to female-dominated professions are evaluated less positively by society than their female colleagues in male-dominated occupations (Williams, 1992). These views restrict career preference and bugger off societal stereotypes, inhibiting men from entering the nursing profession.Nursing ImagesThe traditional image of the nurse has been supported through the use of symbols such as the angel, battle-ax, sex symbol, or doctors handm economic aiden, and, most notably, nurses as women. These images, based on female attributes and prys, have been used by interpersonal and mass communication, reinforcing the stereotypes of nurses as women. These behaviors and attitudes are merely strengthened by the exclusion of men in any recruitment and advanceal materials depicting the profession of nursing.Evans (2004) argues for a shift away from the womanish traits associated with the old Nightingale image of the nurse, the basis for the feminine stereotype of nursing that is still evident today. When the nurse is a man, societal images of the caregiver role are not associated with the gender. For example, Williams (1995) conducted in-depth interviews with 32 men employed in nursing. one and only(a) nurse reported that a teacher at a day-care bone marrow t old his daughter that her father could not be a nurse, and insisted that he must(prenominal) be a doctor. Thus, nursing has been socially constructed as an occupation requiring gender traits that are associated with feminine, regardless of the sex of its individual members.In a reading of 126 male high school students using a career questionnaire, Barkley and Kohler (1992) investigated opinions nearly nursing. The teenagers surveyed held a positive view of men in nursing. Seventy-three share rejected the idea that only women should be nurses, and 77% thought that male nurses are not wimps. Evans (2002) surveyed 25 male nurses to investigate the perceptions of being a male nurse. The most prevalent negative factor identified was sex stereotyping endinging from the general perception that nursing is a female profession. According to Kleinman (2004), speech and images are dominant forces, which may have the effect of marginalizing any group. Subsequently, for centuries men in nu rsing have been excluded from the language and image of nursing, therefore from its history. As such, he believes nursing practice has been sexualized. It could be argued that the label of nursing as womens work is a significant deterrent that inhibits recruitment of men into the profession and aids promotion of the sex imbalance in the nursing workforce. Because of their gender, male nurses have been prohibited from working in specific clinical areas, such as maternal/infant child care. These beliefs have been supported by court decisions however, there are no restrictions on the practice of female nurses with male patients. These attitudes tend to succor sexism in the profession, affecting the recruitment of men.Williams (1992) claims that cultural barriers are more pronounced in the medias representation of mens occupations. She contends that women in traditionally male professions have achieved acceptance on popular television programs. Today, women are saluteed as doctors, law yers, and architects, but where are the male nurses, teachers, and secretaries? These beliefs are reinforced by language used in nursing. Women in nursing are simply nurses, not female nurses however, men in nursing are frequently identified as male nurses. These images, perceptions, and language influence societal views of the nurse. This, too, leads to the marginalization of men nurses and fortification of negative stereotypes.Kleinman (2004) stated that the work belongs to incomplete sex. By excluding males, such messages constitute a critical barrier to men considering nursing as a career. This fact is reflected in the invisibility of men in the profession. This is demonstrated in the example of a 1997 photo own called Nurses at the Bedside in the American Journal of Nursing. Of the 15 pictures of the nurse caring and working with clients, none shows a man. This assessment substantiates the invisibility of mens contributions and visibility in the profession. Moreover, such fin dings nourish societys stereotypical image of nursing as a feminine occupation, negatively affecting recruitment of men into the profession. According to Evans (2002), The intrust for salmagundi lies in challenging and transforming hegemonic notions of masculinity and femininity (p. 230).Sex-Related StereotypesAn separate unremarkably held stereotype concerning men who choose nursing as a career is that they are effeminate or gay (Williams, 1995). According to Williams, it is assumed by society that in order to be a nurse, female attributes such as a capacity to serve, empathize, and nurture are mandatory. Hence, men who nurse must be feminine and are regarded as gay. Although there are a number of gay men in the profession, this stereotype forms a major obstacle to many heterosexual men who capability other than consider pursuing a career in nursing (Nelson Belcher, 2006 Trossman, 2003).Williams (1992) in any case suggests that the stigma associated with homophile(prenominal )ity leads some men to enhance or lose ones temper their masculine qualities. Using focus groups, Williams (1995) investigated the experience of being a male student nurse. All participants reported that nursing is viewed as a womens profession, and several stated a fear of being perceived as sissy by their peers or by clients. These beliefs fostered among the men a view that the profession is a threat to their masculinity. Subsequently, these men tangle a need to show their wedding ring or to mention their wife and children in order to acknowledge their heterosexuality. In addition, the labeling of male nurses as effeminate or homosexual can be interpreted as a social agree mechanism that redefines nursing as womans work. This signifies that male nurses are different from other men. Consequently, as a result of these attitudes and perceptions, one can understand why nursing remains an occupation low on career choice for males.Economic Factors some other factor suggested as cont ributing to mens underrepresentation in nursing is the low economic billet, pay, and value given to nursing in comparability to male occupations (Kleinman, 2004). Overall, social and economic inducements for women to enter male-dominated professions are lacking for men who may contemplate careers in female-dominated areas. Moreover, he believes that current cutbacks in health care funding may deter some men who might other have considered a nursing career.Historically, nursing is considered to be a natural extension of a womans role in society. As a result of this notion, it is considered a low-value occupation (Williams, 1992). It is well up known that the average income of men is well above that of women. Accordingly, these findings support the view that jobs customarily held by women are devalued. Williams (1995) argues that the economic value of other major disciplines and that of nurses reinforces the limited value attached to the role of the nurse. Consequently, the separat ion, isolation, and labeling of certain roles as womens or mens roles in both traditional and modernistic society reflect the patriarchal social structure.Barkley and Kohler (1992) administered a career questionnaire to 126 male high school students, grades 9 to 12. Findings indicated that most rejected nursing as a future career because of their beliefs about nurs economic status. Sixty-two part of the subjects surveyed did not think that nurses made high salaries, and 46% believed that nurses do not get paid well. These researchers concluded that in order for nursing to postulate financially with other male-dominated professions, salary discrepancies need to be changed. In ill will of changes in nursing education today, in practice, social attitudes valuing mens work over womens work are still apparent (Kleinman, 2004). Traditionally, the female role has a lower value in society, thus the importance of a nurses value is not reflected by economic rewards. These resilient attitu des have been reinforced through gender socialization, leading to less status and power for nurses within society.In a similar study, using in-depth interviews, Williams (1992) examined the barriers to mens entry into three female-dominated professions social work, nursing, and teaching. Participants felt they were all underpaid relative to comparable male occupations. Moreover, several of the respondents suggested that instituting a comparable-worth insurance might attract more men to these professions. Even so, nursing is still recognized as a female profession, and, in general, womens roles in society continue to be less valued as reflected in social status and financial compensation.Strategies to Promote EqualityHow would nursing look today if it had remained a male-dominated profession? Would nursing enjoy greater prestige, power and status than it receives today? How would nursing practice and education differ? Would there have been a revolution in the profession as more and m ore females entered nursing, as they have in other traditionally male-dominated professions?Strategies to Recruit More Men to the Profession Currently, the realities of healthcare cutbacks have had a negative blow on the nursing profession. As a result, nursing education programs are attracting fewer students. Admission levels are now lower than they have been in decades (Trossman, 2003). These facts may provide an luck to recruit an available reservoir of male applicants into the profession. such recruitment efforts may lead to increasing support and enrolment of men in the profession. Under winning these endeavors might help eliminate the societal barriers and perceptions of nursing as a sex-typed occupation.Presently, several plurality in Canada and the United States are predicting that a nursing shortage is looming. Both countries could face a registered nursing shortage by the year 2011. Since the profession is still largely female dominated, it is recruiting almost exclus ively from one half of the population. Likewise, because of falling birthrates, ageing workforce, and shrinking recruitment pools, the nursing pool is not renewing itself at a sufficient rate. Furthermore, enrollment in baccalaureate programs has been declining for several years. It is suggested that this may be due to students reluctance to enroll because of hospital right-sizing and healthcare cutbacks.Meanwhile, many women are not considering nursing as a career, opting to pursue nontraditional careers. Other professions such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy have seen a quiet growth in gender equality nursing has not been so fortunate. The tendency to consider nursing as a single-sex occupation has to end. energetic recruitment of young males in high schools and colleges may be a new means of addressing nursing shortages. They provide an untapped pool of nursing school applicants (Trossman, 2003). Because nurses enter a profession, which naturally maintains and reflects soci etys sex stereotypes, it is important that strategies blast both the myths and barriers (Kleinman, 2004). Accordingly, general acceptance of nursing as a workable career for men strikes input and promotion by nurse educators, administrators, professionals associations, unions, and government. selling nursing to men requires a concentrated effort by all interested stakeholders to break down the socially constructed, stereotypical myths and barriers to help change the perception of nursing as a sex-typed occupation. Thus, nursing schools, professional associations, and governments must reach out to the schools in the community. Here they have an excellent opportunity to educate all students about nursing as a career choice. One endeavor to set up the public image is the development and promotion of career education materials that promote sex equity. This information can be supplied to children and adolescents in schools, providing them an opportunity to acquire a realistic understa nding of the nursing profession.School counsellors influence career choice however, information provided by counselors to students about nursing is limited and often inaccurate. Research has found that counselors experience misconceptions about nursing (Barkley Kohler, 1992). Thus, they are not likely to advise academically sure-footed male and female students to pursue a career in nursing. For this reason, a re-education of high school counselors about the nursing profession is important in aiding recruitment of future nurses of both genders. Nursing associations could target school counselors individually, give presentations, and mark the positive aspects of the profession for both male and female students. Such attempts will produce a population of wellinformed high school counselors to aid recruitment of future nurses (Nelson Belcher, 2006).Studies have shown that nursing schools have shunned men by paying little attention to targeting and retaining men as a source of nursin g school applicants (MacPhail, 1996). Consequently, campaigns to recruit male high school and college students into nursing programs must become a priority. Schools of nursing should employ higher come of male nursing faculty to be role models for male nursing students.Nurses and nursing organizations must wage an effective public media campaign to correct the image and the publics perception of the nurse. Furthermore, hospitals, nursing schools, and other health agencies need to portray men in the role of nurse in their publicity materials. Recruitment, promotional advertisement posters, and brochures should not portray only the female image of the nurse.Another endeavor is the monitoring of the media for sexist images of the nurse, eliminating sexist language from nursing journals, texts, nursing conferences, and other personal communications (MacPhail, 1996 Kleinman, 2004). Elimination of sexist language and images of nurses might help change the deeply entrenched societal stere otypes about nursing.Recruiters should emphasize the positive aspects of nursing in all media communications to the public. Most important, involving male nursing students in recruitment efforts and making them visible in recruitment materials and publications may increase mens representation in the profession. However, the active recruitment of men into nursing should not be viewed as a panacea. Other recruiting strategies would be to encourage professional journals and other literature to portray men nurses in their advertising. Finally, an improvement of pay scales might help make nursing a more attractive occupation for both genders. This would involve the cooperation of nurses, government, and nursing unions through collective bargaining.Although the literature has identified a long history of men in nursing, their contribution has not been recognized. Nursing is still seen as a role that is inherently natural to females. Many factors have deterred men from entering the profess ion, and one of the main barriers keeping them away is the wellentrenched societal stereotypes associated with nursing. Even though women and men are socialized differently, both genders have the caring and nurturing characteristics required for nursing. Societal attitudes have aligned these traits exclusively to the female gender. With the changes currently taking place in the healthcare system, nursing needs to recruit the top hat candidates, regardless of gender, who have the potential to develop their knowledge and skill in caring for individuals. To attract and retain more men will require a concentrated effort not only for those within nursing, but by other stakeholders as well. Nursing must be the root in breaking and correcting the barriers that impede the entry of men into the profession. As these barriers are broken, career options and choices in nontraditional careers may increase for both sexes (Trossman, 2003). finishingAltogether one might believe that nursing is one of the most important jobs in the medical field based on the esteemed history it has, its diversity, and its growing demand. One might also believe that nursing is a very important job due to the fact that people will always need health care. No matter whether it is female or male nursing is more than just caring for the sick, it is not only giving care to the patient but also caring about the patient and his or her well-being.