Take a moment and picture a nurse. If your first thought was of a woman, that’s not surprising. As of the last U.S. census, only 9.6% of registered nurses (RNs) were men.* The reasons for this are many and have a lot to do with old-fashioned notions of gender roles. But the modern world is a time of change and opportunity. And there are a lot of reasons why men should be enrolling in nursing programs and making nursing their career. Here are some of the top reasons why.
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Nurses Are in High Demand
The U.S. is running out of nurses partly due to a growing population and more nurses reaching retirement.† In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts in addition to the 2.7 million nursing jobs that existed as of 2014, more than 400,000 additional positions for RNs will become available before 2024.‡ That’s a lot of jobs. No matter your gender, you would be hard pressed to find a more in-demand job than being a nurse.
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Nurses Are Well Paid
Not only are RNs in high demand, they earn good money. RNs earn a median income of $67,000 a year.‡ But that includes RNs who have only completed an RN program. Those who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are qualified for a wider variety of nursing positions and can earn significantly more than RNs without a bachelor’s degree.§ Men who want to make a good wage have no reason not to consider nursing.
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Male Nurses Are Just as Valuable as Female Nurses
In our culture, women are often considered more nurturing. But this notion is based more on old prejudices and outmoded cultural expectations than anything else. As any father knows, men have plenty of natural capacity to care for others. And science has found that men are fully capable of performing the care expected from nurses. Studies show that gender does not make a difference in actual caring, as perceived by both nurses and patients.**
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Diversity Helps the Profession
Every workplace can benefit from diversity. When an organization employs people from a variety of backgrounds, it brings in a variety of ideas and perspectives. That variety can result in insights and innovations that might be missed by a more homogenous workforce. When men enter the profession of nursing, they help create more gender diversity and thus help improve the workplace.
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Earning a Nursing Degree Is More Convenient Than Ever
Should you choose a career in nursing and then wish to accelerate it with an advanced degree, you can earn a nursing degree online—an option that offers a level of convenience unavailable at a traditional nursing school. With online degree programs, you can complete the majority of your coursework from home on a schedule that makes it possible to continue working while you earn your degree.
The National Academy of Medicine wants 80% of the nursing workforce to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) by 2020.†† That goal is changing the profession and making a BSN degree a near prerequisite for being a nurse. At online universities like Walden University, you can enroll in an online RN to BSN program once you have become a registered nurse. Doing so will help position you for one of the most in-demand jobs in America.
Nursing needs more men. And it’s a field full of opportunity. Earning an online nursing degree can help you fill the need for nurses and enjoy a great career.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
*U.S. Census Bureau, Men in Nursing Occupations, on the Internet at www.census.gov/people/io/files/Men_in_Nursing_Occupations.pdf.
†R. Grant, The U.S. Is Running Out of Nurses, The Atlantic, on the Internet at www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/02/nursing-shortage/459741.
‡Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2015–2016 Edition, Registered Nurses, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
§Pay Scale, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Average Salary, on the Internet at www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary.
**American Society of Registered Nurses, Men in Nursing, The Journal of Nursing, on the Internet at www.asrn.org/journal-nursing/374-men-in-nursing.html.
††L. Nelson, Report: 80% of Nursing Workforce Should Have a BSN by 2020, Nurse.org, on the Internet at http://nurse.org/articles/155/BSN-initiative-80-2020.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
Walden University’s DNP, MSN, and BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, 1-202-887-6791. CCNE is a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate education programs. For students, accreditation signifies program innovation and continuous self-assessment.