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Explore the factors that influence Australian perceptions of the nature of nursing. Include in your exploration an examination of nursing roles, functions and competencies. Male nurses are a minority in Australia with only 8.7 % of RN’s being male and 6% of EN’s. (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Due to the low number of males in the profession it is easy to see why a male pursuing this non traditional male career path may be misunderstood. This essay will attempt to discuss the factors influencing the stereotyping and perception of male nurses, an examination of their roles and their ability to perform the functions of a registered nurse in line with ANCI competencies. Nursing is perceived as a feminine occupation (Chur-Hansen, 2002). It is stereotyped as having the traits of nurturing, caring, dependence and submission. This contrasts with the perceived male traits of strength, aggression, dominance, self control and objectivity. (Evans, 1997) Burt (1998) states that there is an "unconscious expectation that men are not supposed to be nurses”. For example, men may be excluded from working with certain patients solely due to their gender (Milligan, 2001) (Morin, Patterson, Kurtz, Brzowski, B., 1999), and nursing texts still refer to nurses as women. Crisp and Taylor’s Fundamentals of Nursing (2001), the approved study guide in use in universities across Australia state ‘The nurse’s cultural sensitivity begins with consideration of ‘her’ own culture’s values.” (pp. 247) The use of the word 'her', when referring to a nurse implies that nursing is still perceived as a female occupation, even within the nursing profession itself.
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