A Research Report submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Arts in Industrial Sociology by coursework and Research Report. Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand. 15 March 2016 / The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of male nurses as they work in women-dominated workplace. The focus of other studies has been on: the ‘glass escalator’ and the hidden advantages for men in the so called ‘female’ professions; masculinity at work; the experiences of men in female dominated occupations and the experiences of men in caring professions. In South Africa, many studies on masculinity have been carried out that focus on the gender issues of southern Africa such as, causes and prevention of intimate partner violence; young men and the construction of masculinity, implications for HIV/AIDS, conflict, and violence; contemporary masculinities particularly the gendered cultural politics and hegemonic masculinities/masculinity in South African: culture, power and gender politics. But there is a dearth of literature on the issue of men in gender concentrated occupations, like nursing, in South Africa. This study seeks to fill the gap in understanding of how South African men experience their masculine gender identity in the context of engaging in work which is supposedly feminine by employing a qualitative, semi-structured interview approach of 15 male nurses of a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. This study argues that male nurses tend to portray hegemonic masculinity as their gender identity is simultaneously being configured, misconfigured and reconfigured in the workplace. / MT2017

M.Cur. (Professional Nursing Science: Nursing Management) / The history of nursing focuses almost exclusively on a female-dominated profession, created with the assumption that such a role is inherently natural to women only. Yet, men have worked as nurses since the profession’s infancy, 250 BC, but their contributions seem to be unnoticed and underrepresented. Male nurses ascribe to a minority status within the nursing profession, with only 6.8% currently registered with the South African Nursing Council. Men who enter the nursing profession will fall victim to prejudice, stereotyping, role strain and isolation (often referred to as the islands in nursing). International literature provided significant evidence that men are well served with nursing as a career. It is unclear how South African male professional nurses experience nursing as a career in the light of the deterring factors mentioned previously. The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was to explore and describe the experiences of male professional nurses regarding nursing as a career in a private hospital in Johannesburg in order to develop strategies to support them in their career. The target population consisted of male professional nurses working in all disciplines in the private hospital. A purposive sampling technique was used. Data were collected by means of four (4) in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews, five (5) naïve sketches and field notes until data saturation was obtained. Data analysis was done by following Tesch’s open coding strategy (Creswell, 2013:158). The data obtained was incorporated into existing literature during the conceptualisation phase of this study. Trustworthiness of the study was ensured by employing the model promulgated by Denzin & Lincoln (2005:290 – 326), focussing on credibility, transferability, conformability, dependability and authenticity. The principles of ethical considerations, as suggested by Dhai & McQuoid-Mason (2010:14 – 15) pertaining to privacy, confidentiality, anonymity, informed consent and beneficence were applied in this study.

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of male community service officers during midwifery clinical training. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used in order to achieve the study objectives. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Data analysis elucidated analogous themes and categories which translated into the overall experiences of the participants. The study found that whilst the experience was described as beneficial, there were overwhelming challenges in providing intimate care to female clients, dealing with ethno-cultural aspects, meeting clinical practice requirements and the right to choose to be part of midwifery clinical training. Recommendations to nurse educators, clinical midwives and midwifery clinical supervisors with regard to better support for male nurses during midwifery clinical training emanated from the study findings / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of male community service officers during midwifery clinical training. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used in order to achieve the study objectives. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Data analysis elucidated analogous themes and categories which translated into the overall experiences of the participants. The study found that whilst the experience was described as beneficial, there were overwhelming challenges in providing intimate care to female clients, dealing with ethno-cultural aspects, meeting clinical practice requirements and the right to choose to be part of midwifery clinical training. Recommendations to nurse educators, clinical midwives and midwifery clinical supervisors with regard to better support for male nurses during midwifery clinical training emanated from the study findings / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Nursing is a female dominated profession; making it difficult for men in the profession to excel in their caring capacities as nurses. This study aimed at identifying and describing male and female nurses' insights into and perceptions of socio-cultural influences on the recruitment and retention of men in the nursing profession and also explores their experiences in providing intimate care to patients of opposite gender. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology: 16 male and 11 female nursing students were purposively sampled and were interviewed using semi-structured questions. Themes of nursing seen as women's work; low status; stigma; caring and helping others were developed. Feelings of embarrassment and discomfort; fear and refusal of care were experienced when providing intimate care to patients of opposite gender; this has led male participants to develop strategies to protect themselves from sexual accusations. The Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) have insufficient toilets for male nursing students; there is a lack of male role models and feminine pronouns are used when relating to professional nurses. Evidently socio-cultural perceptions of nursing enforce a negative image. The difficulties experienced by male and female nurses when providing intimate care and lack of male-friendliness in NEIs were discussed. These factors will lead to a further decline in the recruitment and retention of men in nursing; skilled and intelligent nurses are leaving the profession. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Nursing is a female dominated profession; making it difficult for men in the profession to excel in their caring capacities as nurses. This study aimed at identifying and describing male and female nurses' insights into and perceptions of socio-cultural influences on the recruitment and retention of men in the nursing profession and also explores their experiences in providing intimate care to patients of opposite gender. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology: 16 male and 11 female nursing students were purposively sampled and were interviewed using semi-structured questions. Themes of nursing seen as women's work; low status; stigma; caring and helping others were developed. Feelings of embarrassment and discomfort; fear and refusal of care were experienced when providing intimate care to patients of opposite gender; this has led male participants to develop strategies to protect themselves from sexual accusations. The Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) have insufficient toilets for male nursing students; there is a lack of male role models and feminine pronouns are used when relating to professional nurses. Evidently socio-cultural perceptions of nursing enforce a negative image. The difficulties experienced by male and female nurses when providing intimate care and lack of male-friendliness in NEIs were discussed. These factors will lead to a further decline in the recruitment and retention of men in nursing; skilled and intelligent nurses are leaving the profession. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)