It is no surprise that the majority of registered nurses within the US are women, which can make joining the nursing workforce as a male pretty intimidating. Luckily, the number of men choosing a career in nursing is increasing, and there are plenty of job prospects out there for the male nurse.
While women have dominated the industry for centuries, younger generations are working to break the glass ceiling of gender stereotypes, making any job suitable for anyone. So, if you are a guy and have a passion for caring for others, we are highlighting all the reasons you should consider a career in nursing.
You would be a valuable asset in a high demand industry
As several recessions, pandemics and economic crises have shown, nursing is a highly resilient career choice. Despite this, there is still a huge shortage of nurses across the globe and you would be a valuable asset to the work force.
As many nurses are coming to retirement age – along with the US’s ageing population of Baby Boomers – statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show there will be demand for an additional 220,000 nurses by the year 2029.
There is a huge emotional reward
There is a never-ending list of reasons why men may choose to pursue a career in nursing. For example, the job is incredibly secure with wages that are continuing to rise. There are also plenty of different specialisms available to all students when they study to become a registered nurse. Other men may consider nursing the family career and look to their parents and grandparents for inspiration.
One thing that often goes unsaid, however, is the emotional reward nursing can bring. Male nurses are working to crush gender stereotypes by simply doing what they love, while the work itself can also provide huge job satisfaction.
More comfortable support for male patients
While many assume women have a more compassionate and caring attitude, and therefore are better suited to nursing, this is simply a myth. In fact, men have just as much importance in the role and sometimes can provide a more appropriate level of care in certain situations.
For example, some male patients may prefer support from a male caregiver. There may be times patients need help changing, bathing or even inserting enemas or catheters. In these intimate moments, a lot of men may prefer a male nurse, rather than feel awkward or anxious in the presence of a female.
Male nurses play a valuable role in making male patients feel more at ease.
There is a huge number of specialisms
There is so much more to nursing than caring for patients at their hospital bedside. Specializations in the field have led those who study nursing degrees to have higher job prospects with better wages, more responsibilities and the chance to change the healthcare industry for the better.
41% of men in the nursing profession have been drawn to specialist nursing, according to the US Census Bureau. To name a few, nurses can study these specialisms to advance their careers:
Trauma Nursing / Emergency Room
The ER is one of the most intense areas of the hospital to work in, and naturally one of the most rewarding. Trauma nurses provide the hugely needed support for families and vulnerable people. Emergency room nursing is perfect for those looking for a challenge, love to be kept on their toes and are interested in a varied and exciting role.
Legal Nurse Consultants
A tasking role that requires you to provide expert advice for insurance providers and court cases. Legal Nurse Consultants can quickly establish their own practice, and work with their own entrepreneurial skills on a freelance basis.
Military EMT
Army Medics in the US has the standard 10 weeks of training with an additional 16 weeks specializing as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to help civilians and the other troupes. If you have already done this training, or want to pursue a career as a military nurse, a veteran-friendly school like Marymount University can help you gain your Bachelor’s in Nursing to continue your work within the community. In fact, US News created a report on the Best Colleges in the US for Veterans.
Correctional Nursing
One route male nurses often take is correctional nursing. According to the US Bureau of Justice, 40% of individuals currently in prison suffer from some level of medical condition, meaning there is plenty of work in correctional nursing available for nurses looking for a challenging and interesting career.
The duties of a correctional nurse include handling any medical emergencies that arise, processing intake exams when new people arrive at the prison and overseeing hospital transfers for more serious situations.
Special training is provided so that nurses can care for offenders while keeping themselves safe. Those that are interested in this kind of nursing can find out more from the National Commission of Correctional Healthcare.
Salaries a highly competitive
Despite the majority of nurses being female, male nurses continue to benefit from higher salaries within the field than their female counterparts. While the gender pay gap continues to be a worldwide discussion, nursing salaries are increasing year on year. Even during times of uncertainty, nurses have maintained a level of job security, and is therefore a great career for those looking for a financially savvy option.
Male nurses looking to break the stereotype and take on challenging and exciting work as a nurse, will benefit from job security, great pay and a fulfilling career.
You can study online
With the constant advancements of technology, more and more prospective students are turning to online courses, rather than on-campus to gain a higher education.
You can now study a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Nursing Practice online, as well as specialist courses for pediatrics and nurse practitioners.
There is an endless number of reasons why more men should consider a career in nursing. The work is incredibly rewarding, with job security almost guaranteed. Those looking to take their studies further can also specialize in a whole range of different categories, which can lead them to travel the world or care for patients in exceptional circumstances.
So, what are you waiting for?
