Experiences of Male Student Nurse Midwives in Malawi During Undergraduate Education

Miriam M. Chinkhata; Gayle Langley

doi:10.29024/aogh.18

Abstract

Background: Historically, nursing has evolved from being a feminine profession to a profession accepted by both sexes. In the contemporary world, gender mainstreaming has been instituted as a global strategy in promoting gender equality. Though men continue to join nursing, they face many challenges. It is believed that through proper socialization some of the challenges can be addressed. In Malawi, there is dearth of literature on this subject. This resulted in undertaking the study.

Objective: The goal of the study was to describe experiences of male student nurses during undergraduate education in Malawi.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Focus group discussions were conducted with study participants in purposively selected nursing colleges.

Findings: Male student nurse midwives faced more negative than positive experiences in nursing. The following three major themes were generated: nursing is a feminine occupation, facing discrimination and socialisation experienced.

Conclusion: Malawian male student nurse midwives face both positive and negative experiences during their integration in nursing. Formulation and implementation of gender sensitive policies would help in strengthening male nurse education.

References

Macknitosh C. A historical study of men in nursing. J Advan Nur. 1997; 26: 232–236. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.1997026232.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Evans J. Men nurses: a historical and feminist perspective. J Advan Nurs. 2004; 47(3): 321–328. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03096.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Romen P and Anson O. Israeli men in nursing: social and personal motives. J Nurs Managt. 2005; 13: 173–178. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2934.2004.00508.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Eswi A and El Sayed Y. The experience of Egyptian male student nurses during attending maternity nursing clinical course. Nurs Educ Practice. 2011; 93–98.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Burns CA. Man is a clumsy thing who does not know how to handle a sick person: aspects of the history of masculinity and race in the shaping of male nursing in South Africa 1900–1950. J Southern African Studies. 1998; 24(4): 695–717. DOI: 10.1080/03057079808708597
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marks S. The gender dilemma in Nursing history: The case of the South African Mine Hospitals; 2001. Available at: http://www.ukchnm.org/seminars00.html Accessed 17 July, 15.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
O’Lynn CE. Gender-Based Barriers for Male Students in Nursing Education Programs: Prevalence and Perceived Importance. J Nurs Educ. 2001; 43(5): 229–235.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Larocco SA. A Grounded Theory of Socializing Men into Nursing. J Men’s studies. 2007; 15(2): 120–129. DOI: 10.3149/jms.1502.120
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lerardi J, Fitzgerald AD and Holland TD. Exploring Male Students’ Educational Experience in an Associate Degree Nursing Program. J Nurs Educ. 2010; 49(4): 215–218. DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20091217-04
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zamanzadeh V, Azadi A, Valizadeh L, et al. Choosing and remaining in nursing: Iranian male nurses’ perspectives. Contemporary Nurse. 2013; 45(2): 220–227. DOI: 10.5172/conu.2013.45.2.220
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang H. Gender Mainstreaming and Nursing (Abstract). J Nurs. 2011; 58(6): 5–1. Available at: http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009889952?pq-origsite=scholar Accessed 11 August, 2016.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wyss K. An approach to classfying human resources constraints to attaining health-related Millenium Develpment Goals. Human Resources for Health. 2004; 20(1): 11. DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-2-11
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Simukonda S and Rapsilbern C. Anxiety in Male Nursing Students. Nurs Educ Today. 1989; 9(3): 180–186. DOI: 10.1016/0260-6917(89)90042-7
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chilemba EB. Learning for Practice: An analysis of the Education Process of Graduate Nurses in Malawi [Thesis for Doctor of Philosophy]. Witswatersrand University; 2013.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Malawi Government. Malawi Millenium Development Goals Ministry of Development planning and Cooperation; 2010.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yang C, Gau M, Shiau Hiau S, et al. Professional career development for male nurses. J Advan Nurs. 2004; 48: 642–650. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03252.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Meadus RJ and Twomey J. Men student Nurses: The Nursing Education Experience. The Nurs Forum. 2011; 46(4): 269–279. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00239.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Torkelson DJ and Seed M. Gender Differences in the Roles and Functions of Inpatient psychiatric Nurses. J Psychosocial Nurs & Mental Health Services. 2011; 49(3): 34–41. DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20110201-02
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Eagly HA and Wood W. The Origins of Sex Differences in Human Behaviour: Evolved Dispositions Versus Social Roles. American Psychologist. 1999; 54: 408–423. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.54.6.408
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Webb C and Kevern J. Focus groups as a research method: a critique of some aspects of their use in nursing research. J Advan Nurs. 2001; 33(6): 798–805. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01720.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guest G, Nunce A and Johnson L. How Many interviews are enough?: An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability. Field Methods. 2006; 18(1): 59–82. DOI: 10.1177/1525822X05279903
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lincoln YS and Guba EG. Naturalistic Inquiry. California. Sage; 1985.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bailey CA. A guide to qualitative field research, Pine Forge Press, Thousand Oaks; 2007. DOI: 10.4135/9781412983204
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hasson F and Keeney S. Research guidelines for the Delphi survey technique. J Advan Nurs. 2000; 32(4): 1008–1015.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Creswell JW. Educational Research Planning, Conducting and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Boston, Pearson; 2012.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Braun V and Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006; 3(2): 77–101. DOI: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Graneheim UH and Lundman B. Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to acheive trustworthiness. Nurs Educ Today. 2004; 24: 105–112. DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2003.10.001
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tashakkori A and Teddlie C. Foundations of Mixed Methods Research Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, SAGE Publications, Inc; 2009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Polit DF and Beck T. Nursing Research Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Philadephia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shuval JT. Entering medicine: the dynamics of transition, a seven year study of medical education in Israel. Pergamon: Oxford; 1980.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Quinn M and Hughes JS. Quinn’s principles and practice of Nurse Education. UK, Nelson Thornes Ltd; 2007.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bruce JC, Klopper HC and Mellish JM. Teaching and Learning the Practice of Nursing. Cape Town, Heinemann; 2013.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mclaughlin K, Muldoon TO and Moutray M. Gender roles and completion of nursing education: A longitudinal study. Nurs Educ Today. 2010; 30: 303–307. DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2009.08.005
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Diekman AB and Schneider M. A Social Role Theory Perspective on Gender Gaps in Political Attitudes. Psychology for Women Quarterly. 2010; 34: 486–496. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2010.01598.x
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kabwila J. Key Gender Issues in Malawi United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; 2013.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
O’Lynn CO. A Man’s guide to a Nursing Career. New York, Springer Publishing Company; 2013.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Roth EJ, Coleman LC. Perceievd and Real Barriers for Men entering Nursing: Implications for gender diversity. J Cultural Diversity. 2008; 5: 148–152.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Anthony AS. Gender Bias and Discrimination in Nursing Education. Nurs Educ. 2004; 29: 121–125. DOI: 10.1097/00006223-200405000-00011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Stott A. Exploring factors affecting attrition of male students from an undergraduate nursing course: A qualitative study. Nurs Educ Today. 2007; 27: 325–332. DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2006.05.013
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang H, Li X, Hu X, Chen H, et al. Perceptions of nursing profession and learning experiences of male students in baccalaureate nursing program in Changsha, China. Nurs Educ Today. 2011; 31: 36–42. DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2010.03.011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Experiences of Male Student Nurse Midwives in Malawi During Undergraduate Education

Abstract

Paradigm

My account