Gender, gender roles and completion of nursing education: a longitudinal study

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122 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The current worldwide nursing shortage and high attrition of nursing students remain a challenge for the nursing profession. The aim of this paper was to investigate how key psychological attributes and constructions differentiate between completers and non-completers of nursing education. A questionnaire including measures of gender role identity and perceived gender appropriateness of careers was administered to 384 students early in the first year of the course. At the end of the programme attrition rates were obtained. The findings indicate that males were more likely to leave the course than females. Furthermore, those who completed the course tended to view nursing as more appropriate for women, in contrast to the non-completers who had less gender typed views. The female-dominated nature of nursing, prevalent stereotypes and gender bias inherent in nursing education seem to make this an uncomfortable place for males and those with less gendered typed views. Whilst it is acknowledged that attrition is undoubtedly a complex issue with many contributing factors, the nursing profession need to take steps to address this bias to ensure their profession is open equally to both female and male recruits.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)303-7
Number of pages5
JournalNurse Education Today
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2010

Bibliographical note

Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Career Choice
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Great Britain
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Men
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Nurses, Male
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Personality Inventory
  • Personnel Selection
  • Questionnaires
  • Stereotyping
  • Student Dropouts
  • Students, Nursing
  • Women
  • Young Adult

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