Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to describe the essence of nursing practice as perceived by practicing registered nurses who are male.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to describe two examples of caring for and caring about patients.
Using descriptive naturalistic inquiry the research question was "What is the essence of nursing as perceived by practicing registered nurses who are male?" Purposive sampling was used to recruit eleven practicing male nurses. Individual interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. Data were collected until data saturation was reached. Transcripts were coded and analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Trustworthiness was established by prolonged engagement, peer debriefing, and member checks. The metatheme, 'Nursing as Caring' emerged as participants described the essence of their nursing practice as caring. This essence centered on caring for and caring about people. Recommendations to improve nursing education and practice for males were also advanced.
Findings are significant for nursing in that understanding the essence of nursing as it is perceived by nurses who are male has been described. These findings may aid in recruitment and retention endeavors, provide educators with more effective teaching strategies for use with this population, and facilitate attempts to improve societal perceptions of men in nursing, thereby potentially decreasing discrimination and making the profession more welcoming. Findings support measures that could be taken within the nursing profession globally in order to embrace the diversity offered by men in nursing.
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