When I went into nursing in the early 2010's, men represented around 9% of the workforce.1 During that time, I noticed a strong storm of perception change around men in nursing.
We were growing yearly in the field, and healthcare started to take notice.
The outdated belief that nursing is "women’s work" in the U.S. was already fading, and I believe it will continue to fade on a global level. More men are embracing this rewarding profession every year.
The nursing field is filled with strong, intelligent women (as it has been, since the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale). And today, more men are also entering the profession, drawn by the stability, opportunity and meaningful work.
Many different factors are coming together that have increased the appeal and accessibility of nursing for men. Here's why.
Why are male nurses in demand?
Both male and female nurses are important to help represent the populations they serve. But the demand for male nurses goes beyond representation and reaches many different angles of what nurses do, what the industry needs and the benefits nurses enjoy.
Here's why we need more male nurses.
1. To provide patient care that can meet cultural needs
In hospitals, schools, clinics and everywhere health care is delivered, you will serve diverse populations. Having a balanced nursing workforce helps ensure every patient feels comfortable and understood.
And the U.S. is more diverse than it has ever been, according to 2020 US Census data.2 Ethnicity and Race are large factors in culture and religion, and gender is also a major part of culture and religion.
For example, some Muslim men prefer to be treated by male nurses and doctors.3
Also, some male patients prefer to receive care from male nurses—particularly in areas like urology, mental health or gerontology. Some older men or women may prefer a nurse of a certain gender to assist them with their care as well.
Increasing the percentage of men in nursing improves patient outcomes and satisfaction in these situations. To deliver culturally-appropriate care, the healthcare system must have a diverse nursing workforce.
2. To increase workplace safety
When a patient or family member turns belligerent or violent, it often impacts the nurses first.
There has been a pretty severe uptick in violence against nurses in the last five years, to the extent that on average, two nurses are assaulted every hour in the U.S., according to a Press Ganey survey from 2022.4
Nursing experts also believe this number to be significantly higher since many workplace incidents go unreported.
The majority of assailants in these incidents are male. There's a worrying correlation between these figures and the general statistics of male violence against women.5
It follows that if more men enter the nursing profession, they might increase the safety of nurses overall, deterring the kind of male patient who might be more prone to attack a woman than a man.
3. To add to the physical strength of the workforce
The U.S. has a rapidly-aging population. The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has risen from 4.1% in 1900 to 16.8% in 2021, according to the Census Bureau.2 In elderly populations, mobility is a frequent concern.
Male nurses are particularly needed in areas like home healthcare and geriatrics, where physical strength can be an asset. Strong men are very appreciated in roles like certified nursing assistant (CNA) and patient transport where they can lend additional strength and bulk to aspects of physical care. And this is true for registered nursing as well.
Rigorous research on the nursing workforce in 2018 showed that over half of nurses in many different areas of expertise were over the age of 50, a factor that could also increase the need for physically strong nurses in these settings.6
4. To help fill the nursing shortage
I can't overstate how much we need good nurses, from licensed practical nurses to emergency room nurses to nurse practitioners. Nursing education is also experiencing a shortage, and we need more experienced professionals to become nurse educators.
The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, faster than the average for all occupations.7 This growth is expected to result in approximately 194,500 job openings each year during this period.
The nursing profession will need all hands-on-deck to fill these job openings, and tapping into the male demographic help to close these large shortages.
For more on what is creating/continuing the nursing shortage, check out Is There a Nursing Shortage in Florida? The Short Answer Is…Definitely.
5. To capitalize on a stable career
Job security is no small thing in this day and age.
I decided to enter the nursing profession coincidentally during the Great Recession. During this time, many industries were laying off employees, such as mortgage brokerage firms, insurance firms, real estate firms, banks, etc... It felt like healthcare was the only industry that was able to weather this financial storm.
I know this event happened over 15 years ago, but those of us who lived through it can appreciate a field that has career stability, especially during times of economic turbulence.
Nursing has more options than most people realize
The role of nurses in healthcare has been expanding pretty steadily over the years.
Male nurses have a wide variety of career paths to choose from. You can start in one role, move to another, add some education or certification to specialize or move up the ladder—or change to an entirely different type of nursing as you go on.
For example:
If you like high-energy environments...
If you enjoy high-energy environments, emergency rooms (ERs), intensive care units (ICUs), and trauma centers are excellent places to work. These roles require quick thinking, stamina and the ability to handle pressure.
If you thrive under pressure and enjoy a dynamic work environment, nursing delivers.
If you like very technical and precise work...
Assisting surgeons and ensuring patients receive top quality care during procedures can be a rewarding career. Medical-surgical nursing, perioperative (OR) nursing, labor and delivery nursing and so many other roles can put you in operating environments. These fields are highly technical and require strong teamwork skills.
If you like the complexity of the mind and emotions...
Male nurses play an important role in mental health facilities, where their presence can help de-escalate crises and provide support to male patients who feel more comfortable talking to another man.
As a psychiatry resident physician myself, I find it very helpful to have male and female healthcare staff. This aids in delivering culturally-appropriate healthcare.
If you like adventure...
If you like adventure and flexibility, travel nursing offers great pay and the opportunity to work in different locations. Travel nurses can work irregular schedules as well—choosing contracts to work for a few months, take a few months off, then take another contract somewhere else.
If you like to serve...
Military nursing allows for service-oriented work, while providing leadership training and financial benefits.
Right before I went into nursing school, I spoke with an Air Force and Army recruiter. They both offered me an officer position once I finished nursing school. This showed me how much the U.S. military values their nurses.
If you like autonomy...
With additional education, male nurses can become nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), or clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). Advanced practice registered nurses tend to have more opportunity to set the kind of schedule they want for their nursing careers.
Please note that Rasmussen University does not offer any nursing programs that are designed to prepare graduates to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Specific education and/or certification is also required to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
These roles offer greater autonomy, higher pay, and leadership potential. I started my nursing education with an Associate in Science of Nursing and worked my way up to a Master's in Science of Nursing (MSN). I saw first-hand the value we men can bring to the advanced practice role.
If you like to lead or manage others...
You can move into leadership positions, such as nurse manager, director of nursing, or chief nursing officer as you gain experience and education. These roles shape healthcare policies and improve patient care on a larger scale.
If you like sports...
Athletes and physically active patients often need specialized care. Male nurses working in sports medicine or rehab help people recover from injuries and improve physical performance.
If you have a passion for sports, especially if you are/were an athlete in the past, sports medicine and/or rehabilitation nursing could be a match made in heaven. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs in Sports Medicine or Sports Rehabilitation.
This is only the beginning
More men are joining nursing—and for good reason. As a nurse, I can tell you, this isn't just a job, it’s a career that challenges you, allows you to grow and gives you the opportunity to help the world.
As a male nurse, you bring diversity to the profession and can connect with patients who may feel more comfortable with a male caregiver. Having more men in nursing helps break outdated stereotypes and strengthens the field as a whole.
At the end of the day, nursing isn’t about gender, but about having the heart and skill to care for others. Men who choose this path will find a fulfilling career, growth and the satisfaction of knowing that they are making an impact every single day.
Besides, nursing is amazing. The career options I touched on here are only the tip of the iceberg. You won't believe how many choices you'll have in this industry. Check out the Top 25 Types of Nurses Employers Are Looking to Hire to see what I mean.
1Maureen Kroning, RN EdD and Isaiah Monroe, It is Time to Recruit More Men into the Profession of Nursing, RN Journal https://rn-journal.com/journal-of-nursing/time-to-recruit-more-men-into-the-profession-of-nursing
22020 Census Results, Access Data [accessed April, 2025] https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-results.html
3Islam Question and Answer Forum, Female Doctor Treating Men, (2/8/2008) https://islamqa.info/en/answers/20460/female-doctor-treating-men
4On average, two nurses are assaulted every hour, new Press Ganey analysis finds, Press Ganey, September 2022, [accessed April, 2025] https://www.pressganey.com/news/on-average-two-nurses-are-assaulted-every-hour-new-press-ganey-analysis-finds/
5Facts and figures: Ending violence against women, UNWomen (11/24/2024) https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/facts-and-figures-ending-violence-against-women
6Thomas, Lewis, (5/11/2021), The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. National Library of Medicine, (accessed 4/18/2025).
7Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited April 10, 2025). Employment in your conditions may vary.
