The Curious Case of "Men in Nursing" as a Diversity Issue: A Critical Reading of the Literature.

Abstract

In recent years the situation of "men in nursing" has been framed as a diversity issue, analogous to efforts to increase the proportion of women in male-dominated occupations, and to racial diversity in health professions. Advocates claim that nursing education is dominated by a "feminine" perspective, resulting in unhappy male students and marginalized male faculty. This is puzzling, as a close reading of the literature finds little support for these claims; and a persistent discounting of male advantages. Portraying men in nursing as victims distorts the nature of systemic oppression, and distracts us from more serious diversity struggles.