Men in Nursing: Let's Talk

In recent years, there have been growing efforts to increase the number of men in nursing, globally and in Australia, the rationale being to address the worldwide nursing shortage, which is predicted to reach 10 million by 2030 (World Health Organization 2022). Currently in Australia, men account for 11.8% of the registered nurse workforce (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 2024). Similarly, men make up between five to 12% of the registered nurse workforce in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada. Targeted recruitment initiatives from prominent organisations, for example, the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) ‘It's ok to care’ and the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) ‘Do what they love and love what they do’ campaigns have had some success, with an increasing trend of young men joining the profession. However, there is a need to consider how the recruitment of more men into nursing may impact on women in the profession.