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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy More Men Are Becoming Nurses
Men made up about 13% of the nursing field in 2015, up from just 2.2% in 1960, according to a new study by economics professors Elizabeth Munnich and Abigail Wozniak.
More high school-educated men and the increased demand for nurses as the U.S. expands its medical facilities has largely driven the trend.
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The simultaneous expansion of health-care offerings nationwide, by way of new services in established medical facilities and new medical facilities in areas that previously lacked access, has helped drive demand for more nurses over the years. And an aging and ailing population requires more nurses, too.
As baby boomers are aging, theyre needing more health-care services. They are now the Medicare population. [And] on average, people across all ages have more chronic conditions, like kidney disease, diabetes, conditions that require more healthcare, Ms. Munnich said.
Changing views on men and womens responsibilities at home and in their careers has also contributed to the rising number of men in nursing.
As broad perspectives on gender roles become more similar, and more nontraditional roles become more accepted, more men have joined the nursing field, Ms. Munnich said.
Read more at:
https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2017/10/17/why-more-men-are-becoming-nurses/
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)mitch96
(13,924 posts)I've talked to many male nurses over the years as a tech.. One of the main reasons is job security. It's hard to off shore a nurses job. When I first got into the profession we had to import nurses from all over the world to fill the demand. Ireland, Finland and the Philippines comes to mind. As one ex construction worker said, once you get past the shit,piss,body fluids and blood it's not too bad..
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joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Compared to some patients!
mitch96
(13,924 posts)And gotten written up over it... Doctors wives are the worst..
m
Sanity Claws
(21,852 posts)You can start this career with a bachelor's degree and get a decent wage. Getting into a nursing program in a university is extremely competitive. The program reviews not only evaluates grades in determining whether to admit someone but also conducts interviews. At least that is the way it is done with the college programs that I know of.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Actually you can start a nursing career as a "LPN -Licensed Practical Nurse" (LVN- Licensed Vocational Nurse in CA and TX) with one year of education,
and become a Registered Nurse in two years by getting an Associates Degree.
That said, the more education one gets, the more job opportunities and pay.
ileus
(15,396 posts)and we offer a 10k buck sign on bonus.
Only problem is you have to put in your time on 2nd, 3rds, weekends and holidays before you get a pick of the litter.
Forget the LPN (low paid nurse) stuff...
greenman3610
(3,947 posts)flexible hours. lots of opportunities. career path to management if you want it.
Mediumsizedhand
(531 posts)Gender role jobs is ridiculous, and 2017 is saying no.
RobinA
(9,894 posts)more men are becoming nurses because it pays way better than it did in 1960. It's an actual living wage now.
hunter
(38,326 posts)... without the four years of medical school, incredible student loan debt, and years of underpaid internships and residencies.
Unfortunately U.S. society treats anyone in the altruistic professions (nursing, teaching, etc.) like crap.
The U.S.A. is not a first world nation, it's a "developing nation" cesspool of primitive patriarchal religions where men who decide to become nurses are regarded as failed doctors, and women who become doctors are regarded as uppity nurses.