Men in Nursing: The Minority in a Gendered Profession.

Background: The nursing profession had recently noted a significant increase of men entering the profession. However, in countries like Canada where men comprise approximately 9% of the regulated nursing population---they were viewed as untapped human health resource due to an estimated 117,600 nurse shortage in Canada by 2030. Addressing barriers such as gender-based stigmatization, role strain, and stereotypes could improve male representation and help mitigate this workforce gap globally. The objectives of this study's literature review was to explore and to critically examine stigmatization, stereotypes, and other genderbased barriers that men face in the educational and professional setting while analyzing what influences their recruitment and retention in the nursing profession. Method: The literature review was based on related databases, such as CINAHL and PubMed, where barriers that exist for men in the nursing profession and in their undergraduate nursing education were explored. The search was restricted to international literature published in the English language with a publication date limited from 1990 to present. Key factors noted in the literature review that affected men in nursing education and the nursing profession were summarized as follows: (i) the historical feminization of nursing and (ii) stigma, role strain and stereotypes. These factors created barriers for men in nursing education and the nursing profession. Conclusion: A variety of factors encompassing stress, barriers, and role strain affected the recruitment and retention of nursing students and professionals. It was discovered that there was a need to encourage men to enter the nursing profession using proactive and intentional recruitment strategies to de-gender the nursing profession and to remove the systemic barriers examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]