Potential for misinterpretation: An everyday problem male nurses encounter in inpatient rehabilitation

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to report on the everyday concern of the 'potential for misinterpretation', which was the basic social problem revealed in a grounded theory study exploring male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation in Australia.Background: Male nurses account for approximately 10% of nursing workforce across western countries and they practice in a range of clinical areas; however, how they practice in inpatient rehabilitation remains unexplored.Methods: Constructivist grounded theory was used in this study and was conducted in two phases: (i) involved semi-structured interviews with 11 male nurses from October 2013 to June 2014 and (ii) observation of practice of 12 male nurses and semi-structured interviews with male nurses and 15 patients from February to April 2015.Results: Nurse participants encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies about male nurses. Patients perceived nursing to be women's work and that male nurses are sexual threats. These two intersecting ideologies created a concern for male nurses working in inpatient rehabilitation and that concern was labelled 'potential for misinterpretation'. Conclusion:Gender stereotypes impacted on the ability of male nurses to practise nursing in inpatient rehabilitation. Male nurses were mindful on a daily basis that misinterpretation could, and did, happen in inpatient rehabilitation.

Current Stereotypes Associated with Nursing and Nursing Professionals: An Integrative Review

“…These stereotypes are listed below: The respondents in Cottingham and colleagues' paper [42] defined nursing as a profession that has traditionally been carried out mainly by women. This coincides with the 66.8% male and 72.4% female nursing and midwifery professionals interviewed in Stanley and colleagues' study [49], echoing the results of numerous other studies [27,28,38].…”

“…The stereotype of women as innately suited to caring [26] can be seen in patients' preferences for female nurses. This is corroborated by male student nurses [33]; 84.2% of the Spanish general public [46]; 85% of the Saudi university community [44]; and patients [27]. It is most commonly seen among female patients [26], who may oppose care from male nurses [39].…”

“…The woman-nurse nexus is more pronounced in other studies, where nursing is viewed as a job aimed at women [41]; characteristic of women [40,43,46]; suitable only for women [39], and more appropriate for women [32]. This stereotype is identified by professionals themselves: 56% of men and 50.75% of women in Stanley and colleagues' article [49]; male nurses [27]; and female nurses who feel that nursing is an appropriate, suitable profession for them [40].…”

“…Social perceptions of nursing as a women's job give rise to the notion that men are out of place in nursing or that they are unsuitable for the profession. This perception is expressed by: 16% of the general public [24]; patients of both sexes, who explain that male nurses do not reflect their expectations or understanding of the nursing profession [27]; clinical nurses [25] and nurse educators, who stated their belief that men should not be nurses [42]; and male student nurses' families, who considered nursing to be a women's profession [37]. This stereotype was echoed by male student nurses in the study by Juliff and colleagues [41], which found that society has a biased view of what nurses do and of how men fit into nursing roles.…”

“…Some studies concluded that men are associated with the following characteristics as carers: hesitant [42]; untrustworthy [27]; less sensitive to others' emotions, or less able to express themselves than women [41,42]; disorganised, irresponsible, careless when delivering basic care, reckless, and disrespectful of confidentiality [26].…”