Qualitative systematic review: The lived experiences of males in the nursing profession on gender discrimination encounters

Abstract

Aims: This review aims to synthesise the best available evidence exploring the lived experiences of males in the nursing profession on gender discrimination encounters.

Background: The underrepresentation of males within the nursing profession could potentially cause discrimination and stereotypes against them, causing barriers to entry into, and retention within, the profession. With a shortage in manpower, the deterrence of males to nursing might exacerbate the existing manpower shortage. This review consolidates and highlights the lived experiences of males in the profession.

Methods: The review was synthesised according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Employing the meta-synthesis approach, two independent reviewers conducted critical appraisal and data extraction of included studies, using the standard Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Instrument for Qualitative Research and a standardised data extraction form, respectively.

Results: Twenty-three studies were included. Extracted findings were aggregated into 14 categories and synthesised into three themes: stereotypes, discrimination and challenges faced by males.

Discussion: The synthesised findings showed that male nurses faced gender discrimination in multiple facets. These caused them to have difficulty in carrying out their nursing duties, missing out of clinical opportunities and causing them multiple social and mental stressors.

Conclusion: This review informed the discriminatory experiences faced by males within the nursing profession. With males already underrepresented within this profession, it is imperative for interventions, policies and research to be made to address this issue to improve experiences of male nurses, thereby limiting the deterrence of males into the profession.

Implications: Findings of this study showed that males are being stereotyped and discriminated, resulting in challenges faced solely because of their gender. Effective interventions and policies could be implemented to alleviate the negative experiences.

Keywords: Gender discrimination; male nurses; male student nurses; stereotype; systematic review.