Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by admin
Nursing has historically been considered a very female-dominated field, providing men the impression that it’s not an option for them when considering their future career path. Today, men only make up merely 12% of the nursing field; however, that is projected to increase significantly in future years. The nursing field presents so many potential career paths, which is why more and more men are considering it. But what are the actual options available for men in the nursing field, and what are the potential advantages for men to join the field? If you’re a male debating whether a career in the nursing field is right for you, stay tuned for some excellent reasons to pursue a major in nursing.
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The number of male nurses is increasing
According to the US Census Bureau, the number of men working in the nursing field has nearly tripled since 1970 when only 2.7% of the nurses were male. That’s a significant increase; however, there is still considerable room for improvement. With the current state of the world, there has been an increase in the demand for nurses, especially with health care organizations seeing a substantial increase in the demand for health services as a whole. This has led to an increase in open nursing positions and increasing the number of males working in the nursing field can help to meet that rising demand. Some research also shows that patients actually respond better to individuals of the same gender. Although these factors don’t make anyone a better healthcare professional, it does help patients to feel more comfortable and more easily relatable to their nurses, as well.
Stable profession with lots of opportunities available
As mentioned previously, with the growing demand for healthcare services, many healthcare organizations are seeing a considerable increase in the demand for qualified nurses. However, with the growing demand also comes a sense of job security, as the position is always needed regardless of external factors such as demographics (e.g., where you live). Nursing is a reliable and consistent career choice, and the retirement benefits aren’t too shabby either. Many nurses also receive a sign-on bonus! The fact that the nursing profession is such a reliable and steady field should be another huge reason for males to consider pursuing a major in nursing.
The first step to ensuring your success within the nursing field is to find the right school or college for you. While considering which school is the best fit for you, it’s also important to consider the learning opportunities that the school has available for students. For example, if you are looking at nursing programs in Georgia, at Berry College they provide not only in-classroom education but also hands-on training experiences as well as clinical rotations at a hospital in close vicinity to their campus. Hands-on training and education are extremely critical within the nursing field, as students need a way to take what they were taught within the classroom and apply it to a real-world scenario. This is the best way for students to truly learn the information being taught to them and to get a grasp on how that information can be applied within the hospital setting.
Significant room for advancement and specialization
Another significant reason that many people today consider a career in nursing is because of the advancement opportunities as well as the ability to specialize in a specific area of interest. Within the nursing field, there are several different job opportunities and ways to advance within your nursing role. The nursing field truly provides unlimited opportunities for advancement and learning!
There is also always room for specialization within the field or choosing a specific area of focus that most interests you. For example, many nurses choose to specialize in a certain area of medicine, which can help them with their overall career advancement opportunities, as well. Some of these include critical care nursing, dialysis nursing, and genetics nursing to name a few. Once you become more specialized in a specific area compared to other nurses who have a more general grasp of the field, it provides you more of an advantage when positions and advancement opportunities open up within that area of specialization. This should be another significant reason for males to consider a career in the nursing field, as the opportunities for advancement are truly endless.
Male nurses provide diversity within the field
Last, but certainly not least, male nurses help to provide much-needed diversity within the nursing field. Diversity is so important, especially in today’s day and age. Gender roles are quickly fading, and it’s helping individuals to feel more comfortable pursuing a career that 30 years ago may not have been socially accepted. The good news: there are more men in the nursing field today than at any other point in history. However, there is still considerable room for improvement. Nursing jobs are projected to continue growing. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for registered nurses is projected to grow 7% by 2029, which is significantly faster than the average increase rate for all occupations. This presents a big opportunity for men within the nursing field, as the need for qualified nurses is only going up from here!
Although nursing has historically been considered a female-dominated field, that’s no longer the case. As gender roles continue to subside and the demand for nurses continues to increase, the number of males in the nursing field is bound to increase substantially. If you have a passion for helping others and want to find a career with stability and advancement opportunities, look no further! A career in the nursing field is a great fit for you.
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