Abstract
Background:Historically, nursing has evolved from being a feminine profession to a profession accepted by both sexes. In the contemporary world, gender mainstreaming has been instituted as a global strategy in promoting gender equality. Though men continue to join nursing, they face many challenges. It is believed that through proper socialization some of the challenges can be addressed. In Malawi, there is dearth of literature on this subject. This resulted in undertaking the study.Objective:The goal of the study was to describe experiences of male student nurses during undergraduate education in Malawi.Methods:A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Focus group discussions were conducted with study participants in purposively selected nursing colleges.Findings:Male student nurse midwives faced more negative than positive experiences in nursing. The following three major themes were generated: nursing is a feminine occupation, facing discrimination and socialisation experienced.Conclusion:Malawian male student nurse midwives face both positive and negative experiences during their integration in nursing. Formulation and implementation of gender sensitive policies would help in strengthening male nurse education.
Highlights
Nursing has evolved as a feminine profession despite some men having performed caring roles since the profession’s infancy [1, 2, 3]
The study utilized a descriptive qualitative design aimed at understanding and describing the experiences of Malawian male student nurse midwives during their socialisation process in nursing in Malawi
A convenient sample was employed by interviewing students with a minimum age of 18, and only those who were willing to provide a written consent to participate in focus group discussions and be tape recorded
Summary
Nursing has evolved as a feminine profession despite some men having performed caring roles since the profession’s infancy [1, 2, 3]. Modern nursing started in the United Kingdom with the founder Florence Nightingale introducing many reforms These reforms contributed to the stereotype that resulted in the nursing profession being perceived as feminine. Following the Second World War, a chronic shortage of nurses ensued, secondary to the expansion of alternative work opportunities for women and the growth of the general hospital sector. This led to the formal acceptance of the education and training and registration of male nurses [1]. Findings: Male student nurse midwives faced more negative than positive experiences in nursing. Conclusion: Malawian male student nurse midwives face both positive and negative experiences during their integration in nursing. Formulation and implementation of gender sensitive policies would help in strengthening male nurse education
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