Nursing Shortage Leads Men into Nursing Profession

Motivated by increased salaries, comprehensive benefits packages, flexible schedules, and job stability, more men are entering the nursing profession and finding that the job isn't just woman's work. Men are being targeted as new recruits to address the nationwide nursing shortage. According to a research from the National League of Nurses, in 2005 men made up 14.1% of registered nursing students in the Western States. At College of the Canyons, the R.N. program has seen a major increase. In 2000, just one man was enrolled - in 2006, there were 12.

Typically anytime there is a slowing in the economy more men enter the nursing field. Many men find that the medical profession is a place where they can truly make a difference and find some much needed job stability. The nationwide nursing shortage has brought on increased enrollment where men are finding a wide-open field. Men that are experiencing a career change are making time to go back to school, many of them completing their education through nursing degree online programs throughout the country. In addition, accelerated nursing programs are becoming more popular as men look to complete their coursework as fast as possible.

However, even with this increased surge in enrollments, recent U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics still show male nurses are still in the minority. In 2004, men made up 5.7% of the nation's nurses. Mark Pulao, director of Human Resources at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia, said the ratio of male nurses there has remained steady. However, the percentage of new registered nurse hires that are men has grown from 11 percent in 2005 to 15 percent in 2006. If that continues, the total percentage of male nurses will grow.