Title of Research
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate past experiences with gender barriers among male student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in their educational and professional careers. Men have been underrepresented in the nursing profession in modern history. To date, no research has been conducted on the gender barriers faced by men in nurse anesthesia. This is a descriptive, quantitative study using a survey methodology. Student and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who are members of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA) were recruited via email and voluntarily completed the web-based Inventory of Male Friendliness in Nursing Programs (IMFNP) 23-item survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The surveyed respondents reported representation and communication differences between men and women as the main gender-related barriers to their learning in nursing school. Obtaining adequate clinical experiences in obstetrical nursing was also a barrier to the learning of respondents. Most of the respondents were white with an average age of 47.83 years. 62.8% of the respondents were over 40 years old. Male SRNAs and CRNAs in the US state of Illinois experience gender barriers during their nursing education. The men surveyed identified lack of male representation in nursing, few opportunities to form mentorship relationships with male RNs/faculty and communication differences between men and women as contributing factors to perceived gender barriers. Understanding historical and modern barriers to men entering nursing and the lived experiences of male SRNAs and CRNAs will help develop new policies and practices that support men as they pursue careers in nursing and nurse anesthesia.
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Improved Representation and Effective Communication Positively Impact the Nursing Education Experience of Male Student and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
The purpose of this study was to investigate past experiences with gender barriers among male student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in their educational and professional careers. Men have been underrepresented in the nursing profession in modern history. To date, no research has been conducted on the gender barriers faced by men in nurse anesthesia. This is a descriptive, quantitative study using a survey methodology. Student and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists who are members of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IANA) were recruited via email and voluntarily completed the web-based Inventory of Male Friendliness in Nursing Programs (IMFNP) 23-item survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The surveyed respondents reported representation and communication differences between men and women as the main gender-related barriers to their learning in nursing school. Obtaining adequate clinical experiences in obstetrical nursing was also a barrier to the learning of respondents. Most of the respondents were white with an average age of 47.83 years. 62.8% of the respondents were over 40 years old. Male SRNAs and CRNAs in the US state of Illinois experience gender barriers during their nursing education. The men surveyed identified lack of male representation in nursing, few opportunities to form mentorship relationships with male RNs/faculty and communication differences between men and women as contributing factors to perceived gender barriers. Understanding historical and modern barriers to men entering nursing and the lived experiences of male SRNAs and CRNAs will help develop new policies and practices that support men as they pursue careers in nursing and nurse anesthesia.