The working experiences of male nurses in China: Implications for male nurse recruitment and retention

Male nurses' adaptation experiences after turnover to community institutions in Korea: A grounded theory methodology

We aimed to develop a substantive theory according to the associations between adaptation experience-related factors identified in male nurses after turnover to community institutions. From April through August 2019, data were collected through direct observations and in-depth interviews of 22 male nurse participants who were recruited purposively and analyzed simultaneously with the method proposed by Strauss and Corbin. Furthermore, 29 subcategories were derived from 11 categories, including: (1) leaving the clinical sector and changing jobs, (2) shaking while settling, (3) characteristics of the new job, (4) personal disposition, (5) support system, (6) finding my place, (7) solidifying my place, (8) demonstrating my professional competence, (9) stable settlement in my place, (10) preparing for a better future, and (11) still confused. The core category was identified as "putting down roots in another place for myself." The verification of this theory in this study's results indicates a need for research into the evaluation and development of professional development programs and related policies to provide support to male nurses who are pursuing opportunities in community institutions to maintain their nursing identity and further their efforts for developing a nursing specialty.

The core competencies in disaster nursing of new graduate nurses in Guangdong, China: A cross-sectional study

AIM

This study aimed to assess the level of core competencies in disaster nursing of New Graduate Nurses (NGNs) and explore its influencing factors.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the overall frequency of disasters around the world has been on the rise. As the emerging workforce in clinical settings, NGNs play an integral role in future disaster relief efforts. NGNs' level and influencing impact of core competencies in disaster nursing need to be understood.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design.

METHODS

From June to September 2023, the Core Competencies in Disaster Nursing Scale - General Professional Nurse (CCDNS-GPN), designed according to the CCDN V2.0, was used to collect data from NGNs of six nursing schools and 15 hospitals in Guangdong, China. Descriptive analysis was conducted to examine the scores of core competencies in disaster nursing. Furthermore, one-way analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to explore the influencing factors.

RESULTS

A total of 607 NGNs participated in this study. The scores of CCDNS-GPN of NGNs were 90.23 (SD 15.09) (score ratio: 51.56%), indicating a low level of core competencies in disaster nursing. The highest competency was the recovery (score ratio: 55.00%), while the lowest competency was the communication (score ratio: 45.44%). The predictor for core competencies in disaster nursing of NGNs were male (β = 0.091, p < 0.05), below bachelor's degree (β = -0.109, p < 0.05), had received disaster nursing education at school (β = 0.087, p < 0.05), had participated in a disaster rescue drill at school (β = 0.140, p < 0.05), had been to the ICU during internship (β = 0.135, p < 0.05) and had the intention to be a disaster specialized nurse (β = 0.114, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The NGNs exhibited insufficient core competencies in disaster nursing in Guangdong, China. Nursing schools and clinical institutions should collaborate and play their respective roles to enhance nurses' core competencies in disaster nursing, ensuring they can timely, safely and efficiently participate in disaster medical relief efforts.

A cross-sectional study on turnover intention of nurses in eastern China

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the turnover intention among nurses in eastern China and explore the association between turnover intention and personal characteristics, family factors, and work-related factors.

METHODS

A total of 2504 nurses participated in a cross-sectional survey administered in 26 hospitals in Eastern China from October to November 2017. In December 2021, a survey was conducted on nurses who resigned between December 2017 and November 2021.

RESULTS

The turnover intention score of in-service nurses was 15 (12-17), and 43% of nurses had a high turnover intention, which was mainly due to the following reasons: age < 40 years, raising two or more children, monthly income of USD786.10-1572.20 or < USD786.10, occupation was assigned or selected according to parental wishes, ≤ 1 or ≥ 2-night shifts per week, contractual or third-party personnel agents, full-time nurses with part-time jobs, and high job stress. Among 102 retired nurses, 80.4% reported family reasons for leaving, 39.2% for work reasons, and 21.6% for other personal reasons.

CONCLUSION

Nurses' intention to leave their occupation is high in Eastern China. Age < 40 years old, > 1 child, low income, involuntary career selection, frequent night shifts, informal employment, part-time, and high job stress are significant factors associated with nurses' willingness to leave. Government and hospital administrators should consider ways to address these factors to retain nurses in hospitals in eastern China and improve the quality of nursing services.

"To do or not to do", male nurses' experiences of providing intimate care to female patients in China, a constructivist grounded theory study

BACKGROUND

Some studies suggest that female patients have more concerns about receiving intimate care from male than female nurses. Thus, providing intimate care to female patients is a challenging experience for male nurses. The purpose of this study was to explore Chinese male nurses' experiences and process of providing intimate clinical care to female patients.

METHODS

A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to develop a theoretical understanding of male nurses' experiences. This study included participants from 3 hospitals in different locations in China. Twenty-five male nurses were recruited using purposive and theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data analysis was completed using initial coding, focused coding, theoretical coding and memo writing to produce core concepts and categories, and theory development.

RESULTS

Chinese male nurses' experiences of providing intimate care to female patients can be constructed as a three-stage process: (1) anticipation of the level of embarrassment, (2) deciding on the process: do it or not do it and (3) protecting both parties and dealing with embarrassment. Additionally, seven themes and associated categories were identified to represent the important factors in the process of male nurses providing intimate care to female patients in China.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese traditional culture may affect the embarrassment in Chinese male nurses providing intimate care to female patients. The embarrassing situation can be divided into three different stages, and male nurses have different main concerns in each stage. Hospital nursing administrators should consider the experiences and needs of male nurses in providing intimate care and provide them with psychological support, education and training.

Why do male nurses choose to work in foreign countries? A qualitative study on Chinese male nurses working in Japan

Aim

This study aimed to examine foreign-educated male nurses' motivation to emigrate for work, as well as explore the contextual factors that shape their career trajectories.

Background

To that end, we interviewed Chinese male nurses working in Japan. No previous study has examined why male nurses seek employment abroad or the problems they face.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative and inductive research design. Sixteen Chinese male nurses working in Eastern and Western Japan were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods and were interviewed via video calls. Co-researchers of both genders from different occupational and cultural backgrounds coded the findings and identified common themes in participants' responses. We analysed our findings vis-à-vis various theoretical perspectives and developed an explanatory model.

Results

Participants' experience as nurses in Japan ranged from six months to eight years. The findings confirmed that factors identified in earlier reports influenced nurses' motivation and work. Two new factors emerged: influence by others and social reasons. Moreover, two factors that affected male nurses' motivation to work abroad, namely, external factors and the influence of others, were identified. Social reasons were identified as a pull factor.

Conclusion

Our study provides valuable insights into recruiting and retaining foreign male nurses in developed countries facing issues such as ageing populations and nursing shortages.

Implications for nursing policy

This study has important implications for nursing management. Our findings highlight the importance of orienting foreign-educated nurses regarding the local work culture to increase the recruitment and retention of foreign talent. Moreover, enhanced salary packages and benefits to improve motivation can lead to improved job performance, which can positively impact patient and safety outcomes.

Assessing the mediation pathways: How decent work affects turnover intention through job satisfaction and burnout in nursing

AIM

This study aimed to assess the potential mediating roles of nurses' job satisfaction and burnout in the association between decent work and turnover intention.

BACKGROUND

There is a global challenge of nursing shortages in healthcare systems worldwide. Decent work is crucial for safeguarding the rights and professional development outcomes of nurses. However, there is currently limited research on decent work among nurses, and there is a lack of studies exploring the relationships between nurses' decent work, job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover intention.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design was employed with a sample of 460 nurses from three hospitals: The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, and Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital. The STROBE checklist was used. Mediation analysis using the PROCESS Macro was used to examine the relationships between decent work, job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover intention.

RESULTS

The results showed that nurses' perception of decent work directly influences their turnover intention. Additionally, these findings strongly support the role of job satisfaction and burnout as mediating factors in the relationship between decent work and turnover intention.

CONCLUSIONS

Decent work reduces nurse burnout and turnover intention of enhancing their job satisfaction.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

This study's findings have important implications for healthcare organizations and policymakers. Recognizing the pivotal role of decent work in nurses' job satisfaction and well-being can guide the development of strategies to improve working conditions and reduce turnover rates. It is imperative for healthcare institutions to prioritize creating safe, supportive, and equitable work conditions for nurses, as this can contribute to higher job satisfaction and, subsequently, lower turnover rates.

Forensic nursing in the emergency department: the distance between nurses' performed role behaviors and their perception of behaviors' importance

BACKGROUND

Emergency department nurses often deal with victims of violence and trauma. In the emergency department, the main focus is on saving lives and stabilizing patients' conditions. The next important task is to preserve any valuable evidence that could potentially help identify a crime. It is important to describe how nurses currently practice in the emergency department and perceive their role in caring for forensic patients. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of performance and perception of the importance of forensic nursing role behaviors among emergency department nurses as well as the correlation between mean scores of performance and perception.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional correlational descriptive study. This non-observational survey study used a questionnaire to investigate the frequency of performance and perception of the importance of forensic nursing role behaviors among 274 emergency department nurses.

RESULTS

The total mean scores for frequency of performed behaviors and their perceived importance were 2.36±0.65 and 4.23±0.64 respectively. The overall mean scores of importance were significantly higher than frequency. There was a significant correlation between the frequency of performance and perception of the importance of twenty-eight items (twenty-four positive correlations and 4 negative correlations) (p<0.05). The frequency of performed behaviors positively correlated with participants' type of shift worked and their personal experiences of legal and judicial claims. The female gender of respondents positively correlated with behaviors' perceived importance.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a significant discrepancy between the frequency of forensic nursing role behaviors performed and their perceived importance in the emergency department. This gap emphasizes the pressing requirement for forensic nursing subjects to be incorporated into graduate and undergraduate nursing curricula, as well as ongoing training programs and courses. It is crucial to establish and implement forensic nursing protocols for the care of trauma victims, and to foster collaboration between healthcare systems, law enforcement, and forensic investigators to streamline the process.

Employment intention and career planning of male nursing students in different levels of colleges and universities: A qualitative study

AIM

To explore the employment intention and career planning of male nursing students at different levels of colleges and universities and provide references for formulating individualized training content.

DESIGN

Phenomenological research method in qualitative research.

METHODS

Using a phenomenological research method, 15 male nursing students from three levels of colleges and universities were interviewed in a one-to-half structure, and the data were analysed using NVivo12.0 software and the Colaizzi seven-step analysis method.

RESULTS

Four themes and 10 sub-themes were extracted. The four themes included professional identity experience, nursing learning experience, career expectation and planning and educational needs. The 10 sub-themes included the negative effects of traditional impressions, the gradual establishment of professional identity, public health events promote professional identity, negative experiences in learning, positive growth from learning, varied career plans, career expectations and influencing factors, a reasonable schedule, diversity of content requirements and the positive effect of teaching teachers.

CONCLUSIONS

Influenced by many factors, the employment intention and career planning of male nursing students at different higher education levels are varied. Schools and clinical practice units should strengthen the training of employment intention and career planning and make reasonable time adjustments to the training content.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

In total, 15 male interns accepted our interview request. We utilized their break time to conduct the interviews, resulting in significant contributions to the content of the article.

Factors influencing work engagement among male nurses: A structural equation model

AIM

To investigate the male nurses' engagement in nursing work and the influencing factors.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 13 hospitals in China to collect data from 328 male nurses from August to October 2021. A structural equation model design was tested with validated measurement instruments.

RESULTS

The work engagement of male nurses in China was at a medium level. There was a high correlation of the male nurses' work engagement with career identity (r = 0.764, p < 0.01), career success (r = 0.735, p < 0.01) and social support (r = 0.477, p < 0.01). The linear multivariate regression analysis showed that career satisfaction (β = 0.393), career identity (β = 0.392) and subjective support (β = 0.116) entered regression equation of male nurses' work engagement (all p < 0.05). The structural equation model results showed that career identity and social support were the influencing factors of the male nurses' work engagement and the model explained variation of 66.4% variables.

CONCLUSION

To know the male nurses' work engagement and influencing factors in China has certain enlightening significance for male nurses themselves and nursing manager. On the one hand, it is necessary to enhance the male nurses' career recognition to nursing work. On the other hand, the society should provide more aid and support to the male nurses. Therefore, the male nurses could devote more into nursing work and promote the nursing development.

Barriers to community healthcare delivery in urban China: a nurse perspective

PURPOSE

There is considerable research on China's community healthcare, but little examining its delivery from a nurse perspective. This article, set in the context of Shenzhen, elicits community nurses' views on barriers to healthcare delivery, providing an initial evidence framework to improve community nursing practice at organizational and policy levels.

METHODS

We used qualitative methods. Data from semi-structured interviews with 42 community nurses in Shenzhen underwent inductive content analysis. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research were consulted to structure our reporting.

RESULTS

Our analysis suggests four elements discouraging community nurses in care delivery: lack of equipment, stressful work environments, staff incompetence, and patient distrust. Centralized means of procurement, management indifference to nurses' well-being, unsystematic training and reluctance to enter the community healthcare sector, and public prejudices against nursing contributed to these constraints, preventing community nurses from performing patient-centred care, devoting energy to caring, freeing themselves from heavy workloads, and building trust-based care relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery barriers devalued community health services systematically and undermined nurses' professional advancement and psychological well-being. Targeted management and policy inputs are necessary to reduce caring barriers and enhance the ability of community nursing to safeguard population health.

How do male nursing students' voluntary activities affect their image in society?

AIM

To determine the effect of male nursing students' voluntary activities on their image in society.

BACKGROUND

The role of voluntary nursing services in enhancing the visibility of nursing in society can also contribute to enhancing the image of male nurses in society.

METHODS

This study employed a one-group, quasi-experimental pre-post analysis design. It was carried out between September 2020 and June 2021 in the pedestrian zone, which is one of the main streets of Bartın in Turkey. Using a convenience sampling approach, tradesmen aged 18 and over operating in commercial enterprises (n = 81) were asked to participate in the study. Information form and Nursing Image Scale were used to collect the research data. Results from the paired sample t test were utilized to analyse the study's data using the intervention of 'men nursing students' voluntary activities'.

RESULTS

The total Nursing Image Scale score of the participants was statistically considerably greater after the intervention than the pre-intervention score. Based on the paired sample t test results, it was observed that the participants obtained higher scores after the intervention than before in the gender sub-dimension as well as all other sub-dimensions of the Nursing Image Scale, and these results were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of the study, volunteering by male nursing students improved both the profession of nursing and the perception of men in nursing in society.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING/HEALTH POLICY

This study suggested that male nursing students' voluntary activities could be one of the strategies to overcome the nursing shortage due to its enhancing effect on the profession of nursing and the perception of men in nursing in society.

Workplace gender discrimination in the nursing workforce-An integrative review

AIM

To critically synthesise the literature that explores the experiences of workplace gender discrimination from the perspective of registered nurses.

DESIGN

Integrative review.

REVIEW METHODS

Primary research articles reporting on the experience of workplace gender discrimination towards registered nurses in any setting were eligible for inclusion. Studies were critically appraised for methodological quality using a modified Critical Appraisal Skills Program list. The six phases of thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006) were used to guide the analysis. Data were extracted and coded, and themes were identified according to the review aims and significant findings of each study.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, published between January 2012 and June 2022.

RESULTS

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Major themes identified were (1) career progression, (2) career interruption, (3) positioning of men in nursing and (4) positioning of women in nursing.

CONCLUSION

This review shows that both men and women in nursing experience workplace gender discrimination; however, the forms and consequences of this discrimination differ substantially by gender.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION

It is important that the pursuit of greater numerical representation of men in nursing does not result in further reinforcing patriarchal advantage. Professional development for nurse leaders in managing gender issues is recommended.

IMPACT

This integrative review presents current issues on workplace gender discrimination for men and women in nursing. The findings suggest gender roles and norms have an effect on the careers of both men and women in nursing. The time has come to alter restrictive gender norms and to challenge notions of hegemonic masculinity and femininity.

REPORTING METHOD

We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines-PRISMA.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

For this literature review on workplace gender discrimination for registered nurses, we did not engage members of the patient population, nor the general public.

Missed nursing care in pediatric emergency departments in Turkey: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

A pediatric emergency department deals with a vast number of patients and a high load of emergent/high-priority healthcare practices. Therefore, at times, it is possible to experience missed nursing care in this department. This study aims to ascertain the types of and reasons for missed nursing care cases in pediatric emergency departments in Turkey.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional survey study. Survey data were collected from 155 nurses using the "Introductory Information Form" and the "MISSCARE-Pediatric Emergency Department Survey."

RESULTS

Gastrostomy care, colostomy care, tracheotomy care, and teaching about hospital discharge were the care practices most often missed. The volume of patients, urgent patient situations, an inadequate number of nurses in charge, too many inexperienced nurses in the department, and assignment of work outside the scope of the job are the main reasons for missed care.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric emergency department patients experience missed nursing care and nurses should be supported more in order for them to provide efficient care to children.

Self-esteem and professional identity among male nurses and male nursing students: mediating roles of perceived prejudice and psychological distress

Introduction

There are not enough nurses around the world, and there are even fewer male nurses. It has not been easy for men to become nurses because of stereotypes about the roles of men and women in the workplace, which lead to prejudice and discrimination. This study explored how the self-esteem of male nurses and male nursing students affects their professional identity in an environment where stereotypes and social prejudice exist. This study also examined the differences of relevant variables in different sociodemographic characteristics of the research subjects in a Chinese social context.

Methods

By purposive and snowball sampling, 464 male nurses and male nursing students were surveyed through questionnaires from November 2021 to January 2022. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS Macro 3.3.

Results

Self-esteem could indirectly affect professional identity through perceived prejudice and psychological distress. Nonetheless, self-esteem still had a significant direct effect on professional identity. The total mediating effect accounted for 32.816% of the total effect, and the direct effect accounted for 67.184% of the total effect. Also of note was that 81.7% of participants reported experiencing psychological distress.

Discussion

To improve the professional identity of male nurses and male nursing students, nursing educators and administrators should do the following: protect and improve their self-esteem; take steps to reduce social prejudice against them; value their mental health and alleviate their psychological distress.

Work as a Frontline Volunteer During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Hubei, China: A Qualitative Inquiry of Male Nurses

BACKGROUND

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, an increased large number of male nurses volunteered for frontline assignment. Their excellent performance suggests that male nurses have several advantages over female nurses. However, research into the activities of Chinese male nurses engaged in frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic remains limited.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to summarize the reflections of male nurses on their experiences while volunteering for frontline COVID-19 duty in Hubei, China.

METHODS

An interpretative qualitative descriptive study was conducted from May to July 2020 on male nurses who had volunteered for frontline COVID-19 duty in Hubei. Twelve male nurses were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four main themes and 11 subthemes were identified, including (a) changing the way of thinking at work (four subthemes), (b) clarity regarding career development (three subthemes), (c) change in life philosophy (two subthemes), and (d) personal growth (two subthemes).

CONCLUSIONS

The experience of volunteering during the COVID-19 public health emergency influenced the male nurses positively in terms of improved organizational, management, and decision-making skills as well as improved performance. The beneficial attributes of male nurses should be taken into consideration when developing management policies related to nursing personnel.

Male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation. Finding a safe way: a grounded theory

BACKGROUND

Research interest in nursing's contribution to inpatient rehabilitation is growing. Nurses contribute to rehabilitation specifically by teaching patients how to care for themselves. This contribution is largely reported from a female or genderneutral perspective. Despite the work of male nurses being examined in a range of other specialities, their work within inpatient rehabilitation remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

To report on a grounded theory study to identify and make visible male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation in Australia.

DESIGN

Constructivist grounded theory informed by symbolic interactionism.

SETTING(S)

Stage 1 data were collected in locations of participants choosing throughout Australia. Stage 2 data collection centred on seven data collection sites across two specialist rehabilitation hospitals in two states of Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-three male nurses and 15 patients participated in the study.

METHODS

Stage 1 (October 2013 to June 2014) consisted of semi-structured interviews with 11 male nurses. Stage 2 (February to April 2015) consisted of semi-structured interviews and 63.5 h of non-participant observation with 12 male nurses. Fifteen interviews with patients as recipients of male nurse care were also conducted. Data analysis included initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding using constant comparative methods, memo writing and diagramming.

RESULTS

Nurse participants were aware of patient perceptions about nursing being an occupation for women and male nurses being perceived as sexual threats, which led to an everyday concern of potential for misinterpretation. To address this concern, male nurses engaged in a three-phase process known as assessing and managing risk in order to minimise risk and to keep themselves safe in practice. However, two contextual conditions, type of care and urgency of care, influenced engagement in assessing and managing risk. The core category and substantive grounded theory to explain these results is finding a safe way.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender stereotypes affected the daily working lives of male nurses in inpatient rehabilitation. To counter the risk of misinterpretation male nurses used a range of strategies to address the barriers encountered daily in their working lives. However, male nurse efforts were often influenced by conditions outside of their control. In inpatient rehabilitation, male nurses practised cautiously to keep themselves safe in order to practise nursing.

Male nurses’ mental health and provision of emotional support during COVID-19: a thematic analysis

Background:

COVID-19 has created mental health challenges for nurses. However, it is unknown if there is a gendered influence on nurses’ experiences during the pandemic.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of male nurses during COVID-19, including their mental health and experiences of providing emotional support.

Methods:

We conducted semi-structured interviews using Zoom with nine male nurses and analysed the interviews using thematic analysis.

Findings:

Male nurses experienced negative mental health outcomes from the pandemic, but participants attributed these outcomes to the context. Male nurses provided emotional support for patients, students, families and other staff and did not describe emotional support as a difficult part of their work. Participants identified their role as a ‘breadwinner’ of being part of their concern during COVID-19. Participants used a variety of approaches to manage the stressors from the pandemic and cautioned against alcohol as a coping strategy.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Participants provided emotional support routinely as part of their work and went to great lengths to do so. This finding differs from most published literature that suggests male nurses struggle with emotional and interpersonal aspects of nursing. Male nurses require emotional support and employers can note that need for support may present differently by gender.

Evaluation of career planning group counseling and its effectiveness for intern male nursing students

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of group counselling on the career planning and career maturity of male nursing students.

METHOD

Sixty male nursing students were randomly selected from a specific-level first-class hospital in Hunan Province from July to August 2020 by using the convenience sampling method and were subsequently divided into the control group and the experimental group using the random number table method. The control group received routine pre-job training, including aspects concerning the hospital profile, nurse etiquette, nursing core systems, professional ethics, nursing emergency treatment and career prospects and planning. In the experimental group, career planning group counselling was added after the regular pre-service training (once a week) with each session lasting 2 h for a total of six training sessions. At six weeks and three months after the intervention, the career status evaluation scale and the college students' career maturity scale were used to compare the career planning and career maturity status of the two groups of male nursing students.

RESULTS

After six weeks and three months of intervention, all the dimensions and total scores of both the career status evaluation scale and the career maturity scale in the experimental group were superior to those in the control group with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). The repeated measures of variance analysis indicated that the differences in the total score for career planning and the four dimensions in terms of intergroup effect, time effect and interaction effect between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The intergroup effect, time effect and interaction effect of the total score for vocational maturity, career goal, career confidence, career value, career freedom and career reference of the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the time effect of the relative dependency dimension was also statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Group counselling can significantly improve the career planning and career maturity status of male nursing students and has a certain long-term effect.

Understanding the gender gap in advanced practice nursing: A qualitative study

AIMS

We aim to explore the perceptions of registered nurses undergoing the advanced practice nurse preparatory programme and of advanced practice nurses towards the recruitment of men into the advanced practice nursing workforce.

BACKGROUND

Given the need to expand and diversify the advanced practice nursing workforce, it is important to recognize the potential implications of gender disparity. It is critical to understand why few males are recruited into the advanced practice nursing preparatory programme and to determine whether gender-related bias is present in the professional development of nurses.

METHOD

We use a descriptive qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom (April to August 2021).

RESULTS

Three themes were generated: 'The odds are eventually in the favour of men', 'The APN career-track is unpopular among men', and 'Balancing the gender gap in the APN workforce'. All themes are supported by three subthemes.

CONCLUSIONS

Although males in nursing enjoy opportunistic advantages in entering the advanced practice nursing workforce, they are not interested in the role and not staying long enough in the nursing profession to become advanced practice nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nurse managers should be more cognizant of the different social stereotypes faced by males and females in nursing. With such awareness, they can be more supportive and less biased in career counselling and job appraisals.

'Becoming and overcoming': A qualitative meta-synthesis of the experiences of men in nursing academia

BACKGROUND

The experiences of men in nursing academia remain poorly understood globally as they remain a minority within the underrepresented male nursing populace.

PURPOSE

To develop a comparative understanding of the experiences of male nurse educators.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis. Studies were considered eligible if they employed qualitative methodologies, contained verbatim quotes, published in a peer-reviewed journal and full-text available in English. An interpretive stance inspired by Ricoeur's hermeneutic approach was employed to undertake data analysis.

RESULTS

Five studies were retained in the study. Three themes and ten subthemes emerged. Becoming describes why male nurses enter and stay in academia. Although several factors may push them, they often experienced isolation requiring them to overcome leading to professional growth.

CONCLUSION

The space of becoming and overcoming can be a lonely and isolated journey, often with no role models to support the process. Mentorship and peer support programmes are required as male nurses' transition and remain in nursing academia.

Career Identity and Career Success among Chinese male nurses: The mediating role of Work Engagement

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the effect of career identity on career success among Chinese male nurses and to examine the mediating role of work engagement in this relationship.

BACKGROUND

Recently, with the development of the nursing career, male nurses take up a higher share and play a more important role in the nursing team. With its own particularity and advantages, this group's stability closely relates to the future of the nursing team. Therefore, promoting the career success of the male nurses is essential to the nursing team development.

METHODS

The data were collected in China. A sample of 557 male nurses completed measures of career identity, work engagement and career success scale. Structural equation model was adopted to verify the research hypotheses.

RESULTS

Career identity was significantly and positively related to male nurses' work engagement and career success (p< .01). And work engagement partially mediated the association between career identity and career success.

CONCLUSION

Career identity are critical to predicting and enhancing male nurses' career success. Work engagement plays an intervening mechanism explaining how career identity promotes career success among male nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nursing management should minimize the impact of the traditional concept, implement the gender equality and provide moderate care for male nurses to facilitate balanced development of gender by upgrading the management system. The administrators should carry out skill training based on male nurses' features and the need of the department. Given full play to their respective advantages, male nurses will make great progress in professional development and achieve greater career identity and work engagement. Meanwhile, the further exploration of better incentive mechanism also makes sense in improving career identity and work engagement by the reform of performance appraisal mechanism and salary adjustment according to their ability.

Same Place but Different Experience: A Qualitative Study on Gender and the Nursing Work Environment

AIM

This study aimed to reveal the opinions and experiences of male and female nurses concerning the nursing work environment in hospitals.

BACKGROUND

The quality of the nursing work environment greatly impacts the improvement of the patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes. Therefore, a better understanding of the experiences of male and female nurses can contribute to the creation of a more positive work environment.

METHODS

In this descriptive qualitative study, data were collected from semi-structured interviews conducted in 2020 with 18 nurses who were recruited via purposive and maximum variation sampling. Data was analyzed used to content analysis.

RESULTS

Content analysis revealed two major themes (the effects of gender on workplace practices and the image of nursing, and gendered communication in the nursing work environment) and eight subthemes.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that male and female nurses experience advantages/disadvantages and similarities/differences in the nursing work environment and that both male and female nurses experience challenges regarding workplace relations and the work environment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

A better understanding of the problems associated with the different experiences of male and female nurses in the workplace may help nurse managers to create a more positive work environment.

Psychological Resilience and Career Success of Female Nurses in Central China: The Mediating Role of Craftsmanship

Background

Nurses’ career success is an important factor affecting the quality of nursing services and the stability of the nursing workforce, and enhancing nurses’ career success level is of key significance to the development of the nursing discipline. As psychological resilience and craftsmanship are important spiritual traits in the process of nurses’ career development, it is important to understand the mechanism of their effects on nurses’ career success level.

Objective

To explore the current situation of craftsmanship, psychological resilience and career success levels of female nurses in central China, and to verify the mediating role of craftsmanship between psychological resilience and female career success using structural equation model.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2359 female nurses from three hospitals in central China through an online questionnaire, including craftsmanship, psychological resilience and career success scale. The data were analyzed by Z-test and Spearman rank correlation with SPSS 23.0 statistical software, and the mechanism of the effect of craftsmanship and psychological resilience on career success was completed by AMOS 23.0 statistical software.

Results

The scores of career success, psychological resilience, and craftsmanship of female nurses in central China were 68.00 (61.00, 75.00), 74.00 (64.00, 84.00), and 83.00 (79.00, 95.25). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that Chinese female nurses’ career success was positively correlated with craftsmanship (r = 0.511, P < 0.01) and psychological resilience (r = 0.595, P < 0.01). Craftsmanship played a mediating role between psychological resilience and career success, accounting for 39.3% of the total effect ratio.

Conclusion

The scores of career success and psychological resilience of female nurses in central China are at a moderate level, and craftsmanship plays a mediating role between psychological resilience and career success. It is suggested that nursing managers should pay attention to the importance of career success to nurses’ self-development and nursing team stability, and improve their sense of career success by effectively improving nurses’ psychological resilience and craftsmanship.

Subtypes of work engagement in frontline supporting nurses during COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis

AIM

The aim was to examine the subgroups of work engagement in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

The pandemic may affect the work engagement of nurses who have direct contact with infected patients and lead to a poor quality of care. Identifying classification features of work engagement and tailoring interventions to support frontline nurses is imperative.

DESIGN

This study utilized a cross-sectional study design.

METHODS

Three hundred fifty-five nurses were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from 14 February to 15 April 2020. A latent profile analysis was performed to identify classification features of work engagement. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of profile membership.

RESULTS

A four-profile model provided the best fit. The four profiles were titled 'low work engagement' (n = 99), 'high vigour-low dedication and absorption' (n = 58), 'moderate work engagement' (n = 63) and 'high work engagement' (n = 135). A regression analysis suggested that young nurses and nurses who were the only children of their family were more likely to be in the 'low work engagement' and 'high vigour-low dedication and absorption' groups.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions for frontline supporting nurses by considering their distinct work engagement patterns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve the promotion of work satisfaction and quality of care.

IMPACT

This was the first study to explore the latent profiles of work engagement in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 40% of nurses were in the 'low work engagement' and 'high vigour-low dedication and absorption' groups and reported low levels of work engagement. Understanding different patterns of work engagement in frontline nurses can help nursing managers provide emotional, material and organizational support based on the features of each latent profile, which may improve the quality of care and patient safety.

Perspective and Experience of Male Nursing Students in 3-year Vocational College During Their Clinical Practicum: A Qualitative Study in Shanghai, China

Background

With the expansion of nursing enrollment, more and more male students are joining the nursing program. Nevertheless, the number of male nurses who actually stay in clinical work in China continues to be low. Clinical practicum is a critical period during which nursing students transform to the role of registered nurses. However, few studies have researched the perspective and experience during clinical practicum among male nursing students in 3-year vocational colleges in China.

Objectives

To explore the perspective and experience of Chinese male nursing students during clinical practicum in the third year. One of the main objectives is to provide implications for future nursing education and to help male nursing students for better adaptation to clinical roles.

Methods

The qualitative study used a purposive sampling method and collected data through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The participants were 20 male students from a 3-year vocational college in Shanghai. They completed the basic nursing course in college and underwent a clinical practicum in the 3rd level hospitals in China between July 2020 and March 2021. A Seven-stage Colaizzi process was used for data analysis.

Results

Three themes were revealed through content analysis: opportunities and challenges brought by gender factors in hospital humanistic environment, gaining experience and growth during clinical practicum, and future career planning.

Conclusions

The presented findings further our understanding of the perspective and experience of male nursing students during clinical practicum. It is very important and necessary for providing implications for future nursing education. At the same time, effective support from society, such as social unions, mass media, government, can help better address male nursing students' needs and complete the role transform of registered nurses.

Sociodemographic and Psychological Predictors of Resilience Among Frontline Nurses Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

According to a WHO report, the number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached 456,797,217 worldwide as of 15 March, 2022. In Wuhan, China, large teams of health-care personnel were dispatched to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic and psychological predictors of resilience among frontline nurses fighting the current pandemic.

METHODS

A total of 143 nurses were recruited from February 15 to February 20, 2020, to participate in this study. The 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were used to estimate the participants' resilience and mental wellbeing.

RESULTS

Results showed that the nurses displayed a moderate resilience level. Their median depression, anxiety, and stress scores were 1, 2, and 3, respectively, which were negatively correlated with resilience. Female gender, being dispatched to Wuhan, and depression levels were the significant predictors of resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that particular attention should be given to nurses who were dispatched to Wuhan and who exhibited depression symptoms, and appropriate measures should be taken to boost their resilience.

A qualitative systematic review on the lived experience of men in nursing

Aim

This qualitative systematic review was conducted to describe the lived experience of men in nursing.

Design

A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Methods

Five databases (Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase) were systematically searched. The PRISMA guideline was used for reporting the literature search in different phases, and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program, a qualitative research checklist, was used to evaluate the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Thomas and Harden's thematic analysis approach for qualitative research was used for data synthesis.

Results

Six qualitative studies were included. Five analytical themes related to lived experiences of men in nursing emerged: value in nursing, the double‐edged sword of gender, being accepted in the nursing profession, attractions of nursing and coping strategies.

Factors influencing intention to stay of male nurses: A descriptive predictive study

Nurse shortages and nurse attrition are high in many countries, and there is also a dearth of male nurses in the profession. This study aimed to examine the level of intention to stay and ten predictors of this among male nurses in China. A descriptive, predictive study was administered to 480 registered male nurses. Eight research instruments were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were employed to analyze the data. The overall intention to stay in the nursing profession as perceived by male nurses was at a moderate level. Binary logistic regression demonstrated that work group cohesion, transformational leadership, career growth, and job satisfaction were significant predictors, explaining 32.2% of the total variance for intention to stay. The findings of this study provide suggestions for nursing administrators and policymakers to develop appropriate strategies or interventions to increase the intention to stay for male nurses to stay in the profession, based on the four predictors.

Ethical Decision-making of Health Professionals Caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Hunan, China: A Qualitative Study

Numerous ethical issues surged the moment acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was discovered. As advocates of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), health professionals encounter many ethical dilemmas in clinical practice. However, it remains unclear how health professionals solve these issues. The descriptive qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 22 health professionals from May to August 2018. Three themes emerged from data analyses of the interviews: (1) real ethical dilemma experienced by health professionals, (2) factors influencing ethical judgment, (3) ethical motivations. About two-thirds of participants failed to recall ethical dilemmas experienced in their clinical practice. Emotions, gender, occupation, and difficulty balancing different roles may influence the ethical judgments of health professionals. In the ethical decision-making (EDM) process, most participants took other people’s interests into consideration and conformed to law and professional codes of conduct. However, the fear of medical disputes (conflicts with families and others) was experienced by many participants, influencing their ethical behaviors.

Disaster Preparedness and Associated Factors Among Emergency Nurses in Guangdong Province, China: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of disaster preparedness and to explore associated factors among emergency nurses in Guangdong Province, China.

METHODS

In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the mainland China version of the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool was used to collect data from 633 nurses working in 26 emergency departments, in August 2018. Descriptive analyses were used to examine the disaster preparedness, and multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate associated factors.

RESULTS

The perceived disaster preparedness of emergency nurses was at a moderate level. Among the 5 dimensions, the score for disaster management was lowest. Emergency nurses' disaster training (r = .26; P < 0.001) and drill experiences (r = .22; P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with disaster preparedness. Six significant factors associated with disaster preparedness were identified in this study: age, gender, disaster training experience, disaster drill experience, willingness, and educational level (R² = .14; F = 18.20; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitals and nurse managers should carry out interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary cooperation to improve emergency nurses' disaster preparedness, especially disaster management. Organizing disaster simulation exercises, providing psychological support and safety considerations, and formulating disaster nursing training programs may be beneficial for emergency nurses' disaster preparedness.

Trends, composition and distribution of nurse workforce in China: a secondary analysis of national data from 2003 to 2018

OBJECTIVES

Given the increased ageing population and frequent epidemic challenges, it is vital to have the nurse workforce of sufficient quantity and quality. This study aimed to demonstrate the trends, composition and distribution of nurse workforce in China.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis using national public datasets in China from 2003 to 2018.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

National population, nurse workforce and physician workforce.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequency and proportion were used to demonstrate: (1) the longitudinal growth of nurse workforce; (2) the diversity of nurse workforce in gender, age, work experience and education level; and (3) the distribution of nurse workforce among provinces, rural-urban areas and hospital/community settings. The Gini coefficient and Theil L index were used to measure the inequality trends of nurse workforce.

RESULTS

The total number of nurses increased from 1.3 million to 4.1 million and the density increased from 1 to 2.94 per 1000 population over 2003-2018. The nurses to physician ratio changed from 0.65:1 to 1.14:1. The majority of the nurse workforce was female, under 35 years old, with less than 30 years of work experience, with an associate's degree and employed within hospitals. Central and eastern regions had more nurses and there were 5.08 nurses per 1000 population in urban areas while less than two in rural areas in 2018. The Gini coefficient and between-provincial Theil index experienced a consistent decline. Within-province inequality accounted for overall inequality has risen from 52.38% in 2010 to 71.43% in 2018 suggested that the differences of distribution are mainly reflected in urban and rural areas.

CONCLUSION

Chinese nurse workforce has been changed significantly in the past 15 years that may be associated with the reformations of policy, nursing education in China. Our study suggests current features in the nurse workforce and can be used to strengthen future health services.

Factors influencing career success of clinical nurses in northwestern China based on Kaleidoscope Career Model: Structural equation model

AIM

To explore the relationships among self-efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses and identify factors influencing clinical nurses' career success in northwestern China.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the influencing factors of career success is important for the professional development of nurses and the improvement of clinical nursing quality. Many influencing factors of career success have been identified, but there is no large-scale research on the relationships among self-efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses based on Kaleidoscope Career Model. Studies examining the association of the four factors remain limited.

METHODS

A total of 3011 clinical nurses from 30 hospitals in northwestern China were selected in the cross-sectional survey, and the response rate was 94.71%. The clinical nurses completed the online self-report questionnaires including self-efficacy, information literacy, social support rating scale and career success scale. The data were analysed by SPSS23.0 statistical software using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyse the influencing factors of career success using Mplus 8.3.

RESULTS

The career success of clinical nurses in northwestern China was at a medium level. The linear multivariate regression analysis showed that self-efficacy (β = .513), social support (β = .230), information support (β = .106), information consciousness (β = -.097), information knowledge (β = .067), information ethics (β = -.053), hospital grade (β = .118), marital status (β = -.071) and age (β = -.037) entered regression equation of clinical nurses' career success (all P < .05). SEM results showed that the career success was negatively correlated with demographic characteristics and positively correlated with social support and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, social support and information literacy are the influencing factors of nurses' career success, which should be considered in the process of promoting nurses' career success.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nursing managers need to acknowledge the significance of nurses' career success both for the realization of their own value and for the improvement of clinical nursing quality. They should encourage nurses to enhance self-efficacy and render more social support through incentive policies and foster nurses' information literacy through information technology training so as to improve their career success.

Second-victim experience and support among nurses in mainland China

AIMS

To investigate the experience and support of nurses as second victims in adverse events and explore factors.

BACKGROUND

Adverse events have significant negative influences on healthcare professionals. However, there is still a lack of research on the impacts of individual and event factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey via a self-report electronic questionnaire was sent to approximately 6400 nurses from six tertiary comprehensive hospitals in mainland China. The socio-demographic, adverse event-related information and second-victim experience and support questionnaires were used.

RESULTS

Approximately 2897 (45.26%) of nurses were involved in at least one adverse event that mainly caused psychological distress. Male nurses, Grade I adverse events, public reports and discussions of adverse events were related to the second-victim reaction. Discussing with a respected colleague was the most strongly desired form of support.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese nurses have reported a high prevalence of psychological reactions. Follow-up studies must consider other potential factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nursing managers should consider the factors that affect second victims and provide support based on the expectations of nurses. Psychological first-aid and immediate and mid- to long-term support strategies should be provided to help the second victim alleviate distress.

Factors Influencing Turnover Intention among Male Nurses in Korea

The study examined predictors of male nurse turnover intention in Korea using data collected from Korean hospitals. The results were obtained based on a secondary analysis of data previously collected from 306 male nurses in 16 regions of Korea from December 2014 to February 2015. Our findings suggest that male nurse turnover intention is predicted by (1) individual factors: single (B = 0.93, p = 0.008); (2) organizational factors: organizational commitment (B = -0.36, p < 0.001), job satisfaction (B = -0.27, p = 0.001), and job stress (B = 0.24, p < 0.001); and (3) social factors: hospital location in medium-categorized cities (B = 0.70, p = 0.012) and kinship responsibility (B = 0.13, p = 0.026). These factors accounted for 56.9% of the total variance. To lower the rate of turnover intention among male nurses, strategic interventions should be implemented based on the factors identified in this study.

The Evaluation of the Distance Learning Combining Webinars and Virtual Simulations for Senior Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Period

Background

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced many schools to adopt distance teaching. This study developed a distance learning program that combines webinars and virtual simulations to meet students’ learning needs.

Methods

A descriptive and quasi-experimental design was used. Thirty-five students participated in this distance learning program. Toward the middle and the end of the webinars, computer-based examinations were conducted to assess students’ theoretical knowledge. The Clinical Thinking Ability Scale was administered before and after virtual simulation. Academic Self-efficacy, Student Engagement, and Students’ Satisfaction Scales were administered after completing the learning program.

Results

The students obtained high scores on the theoretical knowledge examinations and virtual simulation scenarios. The virtual simulation led to an improvement in clinical thinking ability. Students displayed high levels of academic self-efficacy and student engagement and expressed high satisfaction with this program. Moreover, there were significant differences between genders in learning behavior self-efficacy, and learning effectiveness.

Conclusion

This distance learning program could meet the learning requirements of senior nursing students, in a flexible manner, in a safe environment during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Evaluating effort-reward imbalance among nurses in emergency departments: a cross-sectional study in China

BACKGROUND

Effort-reward imbalance is an adverse psychological response to working conditions that has several negative effects on nurses. However, there is little research on effort-reward imbalance and its influencing factors among nurses in emergency departments. This study aimed to understand the current situation of effort-reward imbalance and explore its influencing factors among emergency department nurses in China.

METHODS

From July to August 2018, a structured online questionnaire survey was conducted among emergency department nurses in China. Data were collected from emergency department nurses employed in hospitals providing pre-hospital care in China. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, work-related factors and effort-reward imbalance. A descriptive analysis and a binary logistic regression were conducted to explore the effort-reward imbalance and its influencing factors among emergency department nurses.

RESULTS

The study involved 17,582 emergency department nurses; notably, the prevalence of effort-reward imbalance was 59.66%. The participating nurses who were males, aged 25 to 34 years, whose educational level was a bachelor degree or above, who had a junior or above title, who had longer years of service, and who had suffered verbal or physical violence in the past year had a higher risk of effort-reward imbalance. Furthermore, the nurses with a high monthly income, who believed that the number of nurses met the department's demand had a lower risk of effort-reward imbalance.

CONCLUSIONS

Effort-reward imbalance was prevalent among emergency department nurses in China. Measures such as adjusting the night shift frequency, increasing the number of nurses, raising salaries and reducing workplace violence should be considered to reduce the level of effort-reward imbalance.

Approaches of male nurses for degendering nursing and becoming visible: A metasynthesis

INTRODUCTION

Patient, nurse and public discrimination against male nurses is well-documented. Male nurses encounter challenges in degendering nursing and becoming more visible nursing professionals. However, little is known about male nurses' decisions and strategies to address issues concerning gender-based discrimination and professional visibility.

AIMS

To develop a comprehensive understanding of the approaches of male nurses to degender nursing and become more visible in the profession.

METHODS

A metasynthesis using the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search terms included 'lived experiences', 'male nurses', 'clinical practice', 'male educators' and 'male nurse managers'. In total, 16 qualitative studies published from January 2005 to November 2020 were critically appraised and synthesised. Two authors independently extracted data using summary tables. Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis which entails generation of codes and development of descriptive and analytical themes.

RESULTS

Male nurses used intrapersonal, interpersonal and strategic adaptation to degender nursing and becoming visible as a nursing professional. These approaches entailed goal-directed behaviours, relationship-building strategies and positive and negative manipulation of resources.

DISCUSSION

The approaches to degender nursing enabled men to prove their worth as competent nursing professionals, lessen the gendered stigmatisation and receive autonomy and respect.

CONCLUSIONS

Degendering the gendered stigmatisation of nursing and becoming a visible nursing professional is essential for male nurses to promote diversity in the profession. Male nurses used both negative and positive approaches to gain recognition, respect and autonomy. They continued their struggles to promote the role of men as nurses.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nursing institutions and regulatory bodies could use the findings to develop conducive environments to degender nursing and increase male nurses' visibility. Future male nurses could use the identified positive approaches and tailor them to meet their needs to become more visible and competent nursing professionals.

Emotion management and stereotypes about emotions among male nurses: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nursing requires a high load of emotional labour. The link between nursing, emotional labour and the female sex, complicates the figure of the male nurse, because masculinity is associated with physical or technical (rather than emotional) and moreover is defined in contrast to femininity. Our objective was to understand how emotion management is described by male nurses who work in the paediatrics department of a Spanish tertiary hospital.

METHODS

Qualitative descriptive study. The participants were selected through intentional sampling in the paediatrics department of a Spanish tertiary hospital. We conducted semi-structured interviews until reaching data saturation. We carried out a content analysis, using Lincoln and Guba's definition of scientific rigour.

RESULTS

We identified two key themes in the data: 1) Stereotypes related to the emotional aspects of care: Participants took for granted some gender stereotypes while questioning others and defended alternative ways of managing emotions related to care. 2) Emotion management strategies: Participants described keeping an emotional distance, setting boundaries, relativising problems and using distraction and humour.

DISCUSSION

Nursing care is conditioned by gender roles and stereotypes that present men as less capable than women of feeling and managing emotions. However, emotion management is necessary in nursing care-especially in paediatrics-and our participants reported using strategies for it. Although participants continued to interpret care in terms of traditional roles, they contradicted them in adapting to the emotional labour that their job requires.

CONCLUSIONS

New behaviours are emerging among male nurses, in which care and emotion management are not exclusively the purview of women. Our participants reproduced some gender stereotypes while disrupting others, and they tended to cling to the stereotypes that were favourable to them as male nurses. As we work towards a gender-neutral profession, these results represent a first step: male participants reported that they provide care and manage their emotions as well as (or better than) women. However, because they substantiated their claims by drawing on negative stereotypes of women, further progress must be made.

Professional Identity of Male Nursing Students in 3-Year Colleges and Junior Male Nurses in China

Purpose:

To investigate the changing tendency and influencing factors of the professional identity of male nursing students in 3-year colleges and junior male nurses in China.

Background:

In China, the majority of nurses are 3-year nursing college graduates, among which male nurses are underrepresented. Many male nurses leave the profession 3 or 4 years after graduation. Little is known about the professional identity of Chinese male nursing students in 3-year colleges and junior male nurses.

Methods:

This study included 237 male nursing students from a 3-year college and 33 junior male nurses with less than 3 years of experience in China. By using the data collected with the Professional Identity Questionnaire of Nursing Students and through in-depth semistructured interviews from November 2019 to April 2020, t-test, and ANOVA analysis in SPSS22.0 were conducted and thematic analysis was applied to interviews.

Results:

Compared with undergraduate nursing students, Chinese male nursing students in 3-year colleges had a better professional identity, displaying a declining tendency with grades. Junior male nurses reported the lowest professional identity. Demographic factors such as family residence and presence of relatives in medical service were positively related to professional identity. Low professional identity was related to heavy workload as well as gender stereotypes. Two unique contextual factors influenced the professional identity: (a) curriculum setting and (b) nurse exams.

Conclusion:

College education and initial working experience were critical to professional identity formation for male nurses. Appropriate measures need to be taken to improve professional identity and promote gender diversity.

Clinical Work and Life of Mid-Career Male Nurses: A Qualitative Study

In Korea, about 3000 qualified male nurses enter the clinical nursing field annually; however, they face challenges in long-term job retention in general hospitals. Therefore, this study characterized the work and life experiences of mid-career male nurses engaged in clinical nursing care. Participants were nine registered nurses with a minimum of five years' work experience in a general hospital in Korea. Data were collected through face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. A phenomenological qualitative design was used with Colaizzi's data analysis method. Three categories, eight theme clusters, and seventeen themes were revealed. The three categories were "limitations and adaptation to work performance", "interpersonal difficulties and coping", and "facing reality and preparing for the future". Findings suggested that mid-career male nurses were considering transitioning to other job roles. These findings help clarify the clinical work experience of mid-career male nurses and their difficulties with job retention. The results provide basic data that may inform the design of policies to practically support male nurses in preserving their careers.

The Work Experience of Newly Recruited Male Nurses during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Purpose

This study was to investigate the work experience of newly recruited male nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

With a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study was adopted semistructured interviews by phone or video calls. A total of 9 male nurses newly recruited for the COVID-19 wards in Chinese hospitals were interviewed for this study. And Colaizzi's method was applied for evaluation in the data analysis.

Results

Based on our findings, three themes were extracted. First, the newly recruited male nurses showed negative emotions at the beginning of COVID-19 epidemic, which was caused by changes in working conditions and content, but also prompted the nurses to change the way of coping with the crisis. Second, they gradually mastered the working skills and psychological training to cope with COVID-19 and developed a positive attitude toward life and a high sense of professional responsibility. Finally, we learned about their needs to respond to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is a disaster for all of humanity. The newly recruited male nurses are an important force in emergency rescue. Although they suffered from short-term negative emotions, they quickly adapted to the crisis. In order to better prepare for future emergencies, the disaster response capacity of newly recruited male nurses needs to be further improved. In addition, newly recruited male nurses have a strong demand for timely and personalized career development guidance.

Experiences and perceptions of male nursing students in a single-sex class: A qualitative descriptive study

The shortage of human resources in nursing is a global challenge, and males may play an important role in alleviating this shortage, especially in China. Just as single-sex education has a potentially positive impact on women in male-dominated professions, it may also have the same impact on men in nursing, which may promote male engagement in nursing. This study delved into the experiences and perceptions that are peculiar to male nursing students in a single-sex class. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed using conventional content analysis. A purposive sample of 12 male nursing students in a male-only class of a university in China participated. Individual semi-structured interviews were performed between January and March 2019. Data analysis revealed five themes. Considering the negative peer influence and potential communication barriers of a male-only nursing class, establishing a male nursing student alliance instead of a male-only nursing class may be a better choice. In Asian culture, reconstructing the current social norms of gender is crucial to eliminating prejudice and male dividends and changing the definitions of masculinity, all of which are conducive to the development of male involvement in nursing.