Although men have made many contributions to nursing, their story is seldom told.  In nursing textbooks the discussion of nursing history often begins with Florence Nightingale.  At best, the authors make a passing reference to the earliest nurses who were the Hospitalers and members of other monastic orders who established and staffed hospitals during the Middle Ages.  The all male schools of nursing are seldom mentioned.

Audiotaped interviews have been conducted with graduates of the Alexian Brothers School who became licensed as Registered Nurses in the 1940s through the 1960s.  These interviews were transcribed, edited for accuracy, reviewed by the participant and then analyzed using Max QDA, software that assists with qualitative data management.  The men’s contributions to nursing, their experiences as students, and their perceptions about nursing as a career for men are discussed.  Whether these nurses spent their career practicing nursing or were employed in some other aspect of health care, their nursing education shaped their values. 

Although very few men chose nursing as a career more than 30 years ago, many of the men who did become nurses have had long and satisfying careers.  Their love for nursing and their perception of nursing as a career that provides for service to mankind as well as tremendous personal satisfaction may be inspirational to young men and boys who are considering their future life’s work.