What UK career guidance counsellors in high schools and further education think about nursing as a career for men

Abstract

Aim: To identify why men in Western societies consistently make up between 9-11% of the nursing workforce and viable solutions to this Global recruitment issue.

Methods: A review of the literature was undertaken using Cinhal Ultimate, Embase and Nursing and Allied Health search engine databases. n=490 studies were retrieved, reduced to n=65 with a final n=21 appraised.

Findings: The identified themes were; promoting nursing in secondary school, and for career counsellors to suggest nursing as a career choice to adolescent boys.

Discussion: Significant others such as family members, and friends influence on adolescent boys had a positive impact on the choice of career, and exposure as a patient or visitor to what nurses do, and outreach work in schools help to support an interest in nursing as a career. Adult partners were found to be instrumental in supporting a change of career later in life. The issue of job security, promotional prospects, and leaning towards more technical roles in nursing were motivational themes when choosing a career path, with friendliness, feeling included, and low pay, considered key factors. Lastly, the specific role of career guidance counsellors (CGS’s) was found to be instrumental in widening the choices for a career in nursing, with differences in attitudes and expectations for boys seen in private and public education.

Conclusion: CGC’s can play a vital role in informing their male and female students about career opportunities in the caring profession although may need further support from industry experts. In addition, schools and colleges should be following benchmarks for good career guidance.