Published

2026-06-05

Ser enfermeiro sob a ótica de estudantes de Enfermagem do sexo masculino

Being a nurse from the perspective of male nursing student

Ser enfermero desde la perspectiva de estudiantes de Enfermería del sexo masculino

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15446/av.enferm.v44n1.125958

Keywords:

Enfermagem, Enfermeiros, Estudantes de Enfermagem, Masculino, Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem (pt)
Nursing, Nurses, Male, Students, Nursing, Male, Nurse's Role (en)
Enfermería, Enfermeros, Estudiantes de Enfermería, Masculino, Rol del Profesional de Enfermería (es)

Authors

Objetivo: Compreender como estudantes de Enfermagem do sexo masculino percebem o exercício profissional do enfermeiro e as
questões de gênero relacionadas à profissão.
Metodologia: Foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida na Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Foram entrevistados 10 estudantes de Enfermagem do sexo masculino, entre agosto e setembro de 2023. As narrativas foram analisadas por meio da técnica de Análise de Conteúdo.
Resultados: Foram elencadas três categorias, a saber: A primeira -trajetórias, motivações e desafios para a escolha da Enfermagem evidenciou o desejo pelo cuidado, as experiências prévias na saúde, e a resistência familiar/social relacionada ao preconceito na relação de gênero; a segunda -experiências de gênero, estigmas e desafios na formação da prática profissional- denotou as experiências preconceituosas e desconfortáveis vivenciadas durante as aulas práticas e estágios clínicos; e a terceira -perspectivas e aspirações profissionais-, revelou as tendências e preferências por áreas específicas e as reflexões sobre a esperança de reconhecimento e legitimação profissional.
Conclusão: Os achados reforçam que as desigualdades de gênero ainda atravessam a formação e o exercício da Enfermagem, e impactam diretamente a identidade profissional, a integração acadêmica e as perspectivas de atuação desses estudantes. Torna-se indispensável
que as instituições formadoras e os serviços de saúde implementem estratégias de apoio, acolhimento e enfrentamento das desigualdades
de gênero, a fim de promover uma maior inclusão, o reconhecimento profissional e a equidade na Enfermagem.

Objective: To understand how male nursing students perceive the professional practice of nurses and gender-related issues associated with the profession.
Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Ten male nursing students were interviewed between August and September 2023. The narratives were analyzed using content analysis techniques.
Results: The first category -trajectories, motivations, and challenges related to choosing Nursing- highlighted the desire to provide care, previous experiences in healthcare, and family/social resistance associated with gender-related prejudice. The second category -gender experiences, stigmas, and challenges in professional training- revealed prejudiced and uncomfortable experiences faced during practical
classes and clinical internships. The third category -professional perspectives and aspirations- demonstrated trends and preferences for specific areas, as well as reflections on the expectation of professional recognition and legitimacy.
Conclusions: The findings reinforce that gender inequalities still permeate nursing education and professional practice, directly impacting these students’ professional identity, academic integration, and career perspectives. It is essential for educational institutions and healthcare services to implement support, inclusion, and gender equity strategies aimed at addressing gender inequalities and promoting greater inclusion, professional recognition, and equity in Nursing.

Objetivo: comprender cómo los estudiantes de Enfermería del sexo masculino perciben el ejercicio profesional del enfermero y las cuestiones de género relacionadas con la profesión.
Metodología: se llevó a cabo una investigación cualitativa desarrollada en la Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Se entrevistó a 10 estudiantes varones de Enfermería, entre agosto y septiembre de 2023. Las narrativas se analizaron mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido.
Resultados: Se identificaron tres categorías: La primera -trayectorias, motivaciones y desafíos para la elección de la Enfermería- evidenció el deseo por el cuidado, las experiencias previas en el ámbito de la salud y la resistencia familiar/social relacionada con los prejuicios de género. La segunda categoría -experiencias de género, estigmas y desafíos en la formación para la práctica profesional- denotó experiencias
prejuiciosas e incómodas vividas durante las clases prácticas y las prácticas clínicas. La tercera categoría -perspectivas y aspiraciones profesionales- reveló tendencias y preferencias por áreas específicas, así como reflexiones sobre la esperanza de reconocimiento y legitimación profesional.
Conclusiones: los hallazgos refuerzan que las desigualdades de género aún atraviesan la formación y el ejercicio de la Enfermería, impactando directamente la identidad profesional, la integración académica y las perspectivas de actuación de estos estudiantes. Resulta indispensable que las instituciones formadoras y los servicios de salud implementen estrategias de apoyo, acogida y enfrentamiento de las desigualdades de género, con el fin de promover una mayor inclusión, reconocimiento profesional
y equidad en la Enfermería.

References

(1) Stewart T. Policy, profession, and gender: How nightingale’s reforms elevated nursing and marginalized male nurses. Policy Polit Nurs Pract.

2025;26(4):298-306. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544251364249

(2) Kaur N; Ricciardelli R; Clow K. Men in nursing: A qualitative examination of students’ stereotypes of male nurses through the framework of social role theory and stereotype content model. J Men’s Stud. The. 2023;31(1):157-178. https://doi.org/10.1177/10608265221108209

(3) Hogan S. Florence Nightingale, the Colossus: Was she a feminist? J Int Women’s Stud. 2022;23(1):84-97. https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2714&context=jiws

(4) Smith CM; Horne CE. Educational and professional experiences of men in nursing: An interpretive description study to guide change and foster inclusive environments for men in nursing. J Prof Nurs. 2024;53:123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.05.008

(5) Correia RA; Barros VM de; Toledo DSC ; Leitão CL; Torres MS. Análise dos processos de generificação a partir de estudos brasileiros: uma

revisão de escopo. Plural. 2024;31(1):8-30. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-8099.pcso.2024.223377

(6) Connell RW. Masculinities. 2nd ed. Berkeley: University of California Press; 2005.

(7) Dubar C. A crise das identidades: a interpretação de uma mutação. São Paulo: Edusp; 2009.

(8) Siles-González J; Solano-Ruiz C. Structural Dialectic Model of Care: A guide to beliefs, scenarios and social actors analysis in nursing research. J. Relig. Health. 2022;61:1792-1815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01183-z

(9) Silva TA; Arruda MRV; Silva ACS; Siles-González J. O ser enfermeiro na percepção de estudantes de enfermagem do sexo masculino. Av. enferm. 2025;43(1):118968. https://doi.org/10.15446/av.enferm.v43n1.118968

(10) Caputo T; Ross JG. Male nursing students' experiences during prelicensure education: An integrative review. Nurse Educ Today. 2023;121:105671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105671

(11) Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (COFEN). Pesquisa inédita traça perfil da enfermagem: diagnóstico da profissão aponta concentração regional, tendência à masculinização, situações de desgaste profissional e subsalário. Brasília (DF): COFEN; 2015. https://www.cofen.gov.br/pesquisa-inedita-traca-perfil-da-enfermagem/

(12) Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz). Pesquisa retrata perfil de 1,6 milhão de profissionais de enfermagem no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro (RJ): Fiocruz; 2015. https://www.fiocruzbrasilia.fiocruz.br/pesquisa-retrataperfil-de-16-milhao-de-profissionais-de-enfermagem-no-brasil/

(13) Prosen M; Čekada T. Nursing students’ views on men in nursing: A gender diversity challenge in the healthcare workforce. BMC Nurs.

2025;24:820. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03521-y

(14) Santos LM. Stress, workplace bullying, and career decision of male nursing students: A qualitative inquiry of male undergraduate nursing students. J Men’s Health. 2022;18(2):1-10. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jomh1802052

(15) Liu Y; Yao C; Zhao S; Han P; Jiang J; Duan X. Perspective and experience of male nursing students in 3-year vocational college during their

clinical practicum: A qualitative study in Shanghai, China. Front Public Health. 2022;10:905200. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.905200

(16) Martínez-Morato S; Feijoo-Cid M; Galbany-Estragués P; Fernández-Cano MI; Marañón AA. Emotion management and stereotypes about

emotions among male nurses: A qualitative study. BMC Nurs. 2021;20:114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00641-z

(17) Montayre J; Alananzeh I; Bail K; Barnewal K; Beament T; Campbell S et al. Development and psychometric testing of the gender misconceptions of men in nursing (GE MINI ) scale among nursing students. Contemp Nurse. 2022;58(4):253-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2022.2107041

(18) Pyo J; Lee W; Choi EY; Jang SG; Ock M. Qualitative research in healthcare: Necessity and characteristics. J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(1):12–20. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.451

(19) Rahimi S; Khatooni M. Saturation in qualitative research: An evolutionary concept analysis. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2024;6:100174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100174

(20) Souza VRS; Marziale MHP; Silva GTR; Nascimento PL. Translation and validation into Brazilian Portuguese and assessment of the CORE Q

checklist. Acta Paul Enferm. 2021;34:eAPE02631. https://doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2021AO02631

(21) Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo. Lisboa: Edições 70; 2016.

(22) Ait Ali D; Ncila O; Ouhhamou S; Rizzo A; Chirico F; Khabbache H. Motivations driving career choices: Insights from a study among nursing students. SAGE Open Nurs. 2024;10:1-11. http://doi.org/10.1177/23779608241255876

(23) Slettmyr A; Schandl A; Arman M; Hugelius K. Professional altruism in nursing care: A concept clarification study. Int J Nurs Stud Adv. 2026;10:100522. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100522

(24) Teresa-Morales C; Rodríguez-Pérez M; Ramos-Pichardo JD. Reasons for choosing and completing nursing studies among incoming and outgoing students: A qualitative study. Nurse Educ Today. 2023;125:105794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105794

(25) Cypress B. Through the lens of Merleau-Ponty: Using existential phenomenology in understanding the lived experiences of patients, family

members and their nurses during critical illness in the ICU. Phenomenol Pract. 2024;19(1):4-23. https://doi.org/10.29173/pandpr29548

(26) Huang J; Sun H; Tian B. Male students' perceptions of the nursing profession: A qualitative study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2024;17:1027-

1035. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S455160

(27) Prosen M. Nursing students’ perception of gender-defined roles in nursing: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Nurs. 2022;21:104.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00876-4

(28) Biurrun-Garrido A; Llena-Riu A; Feijoo-Cid M; Torrente-Jiménez RS; Cámara-Liébana D; Gasch-Gallén Á. Everyday sexism in nursing degrees: A cross-sectional, multicenter study. Nurse Educ Today. 2024;132:106009. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.106009

(29) Maurud S; Børøsund E; Moen A. Gender and ethnicity’s influence on first-year nursing students’ educational motivation and career expectations: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Open. 2022;9(3):1667-1678. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1191

(30) Rahamn AARA; Abdelatief DA. Entrepreneurship training: Its influences on innovation potentials among nursing students. Front Nurs. 2024;11(1):85-98. https://doi.org/10.2478/fon-2024-0009

(31) Gallegos A; Valencia-Arias A; Aliaga Bravo VC; de la Puente RT; Valencia J; Uribe-Bedoya H et al. Factors that determine the entrepreneurial

intention of university students: A gender perspective in the context of an emerging economy. Cogent Soc Sci. 2024;10(1):2301812.

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2301812

(32) Ramjam LM; Maneze D; Salamonson Y; Zugai J; Bail K; Liu XL et al. Undergraduate nursing students challenge misconceptions towards men in nursing: a mixed-method study. J Adv Nurs. 2024;80(4):1638-1651. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15914

(33) Shim J; Park DI. The influence of gender equity in nursing education programs on nurse job satisfaction. Healthcare. 2023;11(9):1318.

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091318

(34) Ramírez-Pérez M; Cárdenas-Jiménez M; Rodríguez-Jiménez S. El Dasein de los cuidados desde la fenomenología hermenéutica de Martín Heidegger. Enferm univ. 2015;12(3):144-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reu.2015.07.003

(35) Shabat LB; Itzhaki M. Choosing a nursing specialty: Connection to nursing students’ personality traits, clinical self-efficacy, adoption of

technology changes, and specialty prestige; a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs. 2024;23(1):152. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-01813-3

Dimensions

PlumX

Article abstract page views

80

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

1.
da Silva TA, Ferreira Pires MA, José Marques Guedes OA, Hagopian EM. Being a nurse from the perspective of male nursing student. Av. enferm. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 5 [cited 2026 Sep. 20];44(1):1-14. Available from: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/avenferm/article/view/125958