This study explored male students' educational experience in an associate degree nursing program. A review of the literature identified a gap in the understanding of the experiences of male students in nursing school. Because nursing is a profession strongly influenced by societal stereotypes, gender bias, and the preponderance of female role models, this qualitative study examined the perceptions of men seeking careers in nursing. Interviews with male students probed topics such as the reasons men chose nursing as a career, their positive and negative experiences, and their satisfaction with their nursing education. This research enhanced understanding and promoted nursing knowledge of the unique needs of men in nursing education.

BACKGROUND: The correlation of paternal depressive symptomatology to maternal postpartum depression can approach 50%. Paternal depression during a female partner’s postpartum time period can include feelings of fear, confusion, frustration, anger, helplessness, and lack of support. There are only a few published studies that address the interaction between paternal and maternal mental health during the postpartum period. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the experiences of men whose partners had postpartum depression as a foundation for intervention and program development. METHOD: This qualitative study used a descriptive phenomenological approach. A purposive sample of 10 men who lived with a partner diagnosed with postpartum depression was recruited via flier postings in mental health clinics, a perinatal mental health email listserv, and word-of-mouth. Single, audiotape-recorded interviews were completed. Qualitative data analysis was used to reduce initial coding to final themes that described participant experiences. RESULTS: The participants described efforts to provide support and care for their families; their efforts not to make things worse; their fears, anxieties, and physical responses; and the isolation associated with not knowing how to ask for help. The five themes included needing to support partners, maintaining stability, experiencing mutual symptoms, feeling isolated, and providing insight for others. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is known to have a negative effect on all members of a family. It is imperative that fathers’ experiences are understood in order to fill this gap in caring for families.

College women have the highest rates of sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy compared with women in all other age groups. Although much is known about sexual risk behaviors among college women, less is known about how women negotiate consent for contraceptive use during sexual encounters. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore college women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about contraceptive and sexual consent during dating relationships. Twenty-six women participated in five focus groups on two college campuses in the northeastern United States. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. The three main categories that emerged from the analysis included the influence of alcohol on sexual behaviors, lack of negotiation for sexual consent and contraceptive use, and fear of pregnancy. The results of this study highlight the complex social interactions and norms that college women encounter when making decisions regarding sexual activity and contraceptive use. The results of this study can inform the role of college health providers and forensic nurses to promote sexual health and safety when they interact with college women.

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