The Male Nurses' Experiences of Adaptation in Clinical Setting.
10.4040/jkan.2003.33.1.17
- Author:
Haeng Mi SON
1
;
Moon Hee KOH
;
Chun Mi KIM
;
Jin Ha MOON
;
Myung Sun YI
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Korea. sonhm@mail.dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Nurse;
Male;
Adaptation;
Experience
- From:
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
2003;33(1):17-25
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identified the male nurses' encounter in adapting themselves in the hospital settings dominated by the female nurses in number. METHOD: Data were collected through the in-depth interview of 16 male nurses and analysed through the grounded theory methodology. RESULT: The behaviors of male nurses for job-adaptation can be summarized as a series of struggles to consolidate their own ground. They have made tremendous efforts to hold their own ground in the nursing profession composed of a large numbers of female nurses, while they have experienced many difficulties and problems as minorities. They have struggled to adapt themselves professionally through efforts such as; challenging the social and professional barriers, identifying the job identity, empowering themselves through self-development and dedication, expanding their influence among colleagues. In spite of these efforts, they had the perception that nursing is not a lifelong occupation for them. Thus, they had tendency to find outlets of change to occupations. CONCLUSION: A specific strategy is needed to provide an environment that is helpful for males in integrating into and adapting to the nursing profession.