UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Whitney, Stuart L.
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2004
Degree:
Ed. D.
Abstract:
The profession of nursing is experiencing a shortage of available registered nurses to provide care in all patient care settings. Traditionally women have been the primary work force in the profession. Christine Williams, a sociologist who has extensively studied occupational issues related to gender, states that nursing remains the most female dominated profession in the United States. Though men have had a presence caring for the sick and infirmed over the centuries, the 20th century has not seen men entering the profession in significant numbers. There are many plausible reasons for the low incidence of men in nursing. Societal mores, low pay, and lack of respect are but a few of the reasons cited throughout the literature. In addition, a study by Sprouse reported that 50% of all men who enter an educational program in nursing do not finish. Dileo defines affiliation as mutually beneficial relationships that confer value and identity on individuals, disciplines, and institutions. Affiliation determines a person's status and self-concept with that context.
In a predominately male oriented context, men have demonstrated success in achieving affiliation. The ease at which men affiliate may be in part due to societal norms, stereotypical role modeling, and tracking of men into traditional masculine occupations. However, as men step outside their stereotypical masculine histories, challenge existing social mores, and redesign their career tracking to become members of the nursing profession, they may experience difficulty affiliating in a profession largely comprised of women. Men represent a minority group within nursing and it is the under-representation that is the root of the issue facing these men. Scholarly personal narrative will be used to portray one man's affiliation with nursing and academia that invites the learning community to discover the history of men in nursing, professional issues men face, and how men in nursing "redesign" their affiliation in a predominately female profession.
In a predominately male oriented context, men have demonstrated success in achieving affiliation. The ease at which men affiliate may be in part due to societal norms, stereotypical role modeling, and tracking of men into traditional masculine occupations. However, as men step outside their stereotypical masculine histories, challenge existing social mores, and redesign their career tracking to become members of the nursing profession, they may experience difficulty affiliating in a profession largely comprised of women. Men represent a minority group within nursing and it is the under-representation that is the root of the issue facing these men. Scholarly personal narrative will be used to portray one man's affiliation with nursing and academia that invites the learning community to discover the history of men in nursing, professional issues men face, and how men in nursing "redesign" their affiliation in a predominately female profession.