Perception and Strategies to Overcome Challenges among Male undergraduate Nursing Students during their Maternity Clinical Practice

Abstract

: Background : As the number of males, entering nursing and midwifery increases in number, the challenges faced by these males during training sessions also is on the rise. Male nurses face challenges in their education and practice as a result of their gender and stereotypes associated with being a male in a female-dominated profession. Since these challenges vary from culture to culture, it is essential to understand the experiences and challenges of male nursing students during their nursing education. The study aimed to explore the perception and strategies to overcome challenges among male undergraduate nursing students during their maternity clinical practice. Design: A descriptive study design was utilized. Setting: The study was applied in the Faculty of Nursing at Sohag University. Subjects: A purposive sample composed of 110 male undergraduate nursing students from the previously mentioned setting were enrolled in the Maternal Health Nursing Course as a part of their nursing program, at the Faculty of Nursing during the Academic Years 2022 and 2023. Tools were used for data collection : Tool (I): The self-administered questionnaire included 18 items 5-point Likert scale to identify the challenges experienced by male nursing students in their maternity clinical practice, and 14 items to assess comfort level in performing procedures in maternity clinical areas and Tool (II): Likert Rating Scale. Results: Challenges were encountered by approximately two-thirds ( 65.6 %) of the study participants during their maternity course. A negative attitude towards the maternity clinical course was reported by over half (56%) of the male undergraduate nursing students and 91.20 % of male undergraduate nursing students decided to not work in maternity areas post-graduation. Conclusions: Many male undergraduate nursing students have considerable difficulties in their maternity clinical practice. Due to gender differences and cultural influences, the participants firmly believed that they would not be accepted by maternity clients. Recommendation : Male nurses should be protected from prejudice and given opportunities to advance their careers in the obstetric department. Nurse educators should also help male students get ready for interactions with female customers in a variety of contexts. It made the case for professionalism, the development of gender and cultural awareness, advocacy, and an acceptance of gender diversity in maternity clinical practice.