Wu Qinyang, Xu Shihai, Wu Yanxia, Ma Hualong, Cheng Yingying, Liu Peng, Zhuo Yishang, Li Zihan, Gong Ni, Yang Qiaohong
School of Nursing, Jinan University, Guangdong, 510632, China.
Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.
BMC Nurs. 2025 Jul 28;24(1):981. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03631-7.
The stable development of male nurses could potentially help address the nursing shortage. However, their career trajectories are polarized: while some male nurses exit the profession, others excel and become distinguished practitioners. Understanding the internal processes and needs of male nurses is essential for supporting their continuous career development.
This qualitative study aimed to elucidate the career development paths of male nurses after their entry into the profession.
This study is a descriptive qualitative study. Face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen male nurses from five tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province between July 23 and October 20, 2023, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi's 7-step analysis. The study is not registered.
Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's "field theory," three main themes and nine sub-themes were identified to outline the career development pathways of male nurses. The themes are "Capital Accumulation: Establishing a Foothold" (Positive Exchange of Capital; Special Capital of Minorities); "Field-Habitual Conflict and Adjustment: From Livelihood to Value" (Considering Leaving: Surviving Under Pressure; Staying Reluctantly: Choosing Stability; Deciding to Stay: Commitment Through Experience; Striving for Excellence: Building Professional Confidence); "Field Constraints: Potential for accelerated progress remained unrealized" (Lack of Guiding Lights, Insufficient Research Training, Unclear Career Planning).
This study highlights male nurses' career progression through capital accumulation and evolving professional identity: from initial turnover intentions to achieving excellence. Recognizing gender-specific challenges and fostering professional growth may improve confidence, team stability, and organizational outcomes.
男护士的稳定发展可能有助于解决护理人员短缺问题。然而，他们的职业轨迹呈两极分化：一些男护士离开该职业，而另一些则表现出色，成为杰出的从业者。了解男护士的内部过程和需求对于支持他们的持续职业发展至关重要。
本定性研究旨在阐明男护士入职后的职业发展路径。
本研究为描述性定性研究。2023年7月23日至10月20日，对广东省五家三级医院的14名男护士进行了面对面的半结构化深度访谈，并采用Colaizzi的七步分析法对数据进行了分析。该研究未注册。
借鉴皮埃尔·布迪厄的“场域理论”，确定了三个主要主题和九个子主题，以勾勒男护士的职业发展路径。主题分别为“资本积累：立足”（资本的积极交换；少数群体的特殊资本）；“场域-习惯冲突与调适：从生计到价值”（考虑离开：在压力下生存；勉强留下：选择稳定；决定留下：通过经验坚守；追求卓越：建立职业自信）；“场域限制：加速进步的潜力未实现”（缺乏指引、研究培训不足、职业规划不明确）。
本研究强调了男护士通过资本积累和不断演变的职业身份实现职业发展：从最初的离职意向到追求卓越。认识到性别特定的挑战并促进职业成长可能会提高自信心、团队稳定性和组织成果。
