Male and female nursing students' opinions about gender and nursing as a career in Turkey: A qualitative study.

AIM

This study was conducted to reveal the feelings, thoughts and opinions of male and female nursing students about gender perception in nursing.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This descriptive study using qualitative methods sought to reveal gender perception among first- and fourth-year nursing students. The focus group interview (FGI) approach was used purposefully to obtain in-depth information about nursing students' gender perceptions and their underlying attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. There were 27 female and 17 male participants, of whom 23 were first-year and 21 were fourth-year nursing students.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed four themes: (1) reasons for choosing the nursing profession, (2) gender perception, (3) religion and cultural factors and (4) occupational gender perception. The students reported that in certain units, gender would make a more positive difference for patients and themselves. The responses of male students regarding their professional gender perceptions also differed depending on whether they were first- or fourth-year students.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender affects the perception of professional gender and to has a positive effect on the adoption of the profession during education by male students.