The Men in Nursing program was developed as a response to the
School of Nursing
administration’s awareness of high attrition rates among male
students.
A review of attrition rates in previous years identified a pattern
of higher than normal attrition rates for the men. A review of the
literature revealed that higher attrition among men was common in
health care educational programs. To develop a plan, the school
Invited male first- and second-year students as well as graduated
RN’s to a series of meetings to obtain feedback about potential
issues and barriers to success in the program for male students.
They also developed and implemented a survey that was sent to male
students who had terminated the program prior to graduation, and
reviewed the existing literature addressing issues for male nursing
students.
Among the changes the college implemented to improve male retention
were:
• Offered a male only study group
• Rescheduled obstetrics rotation so it was not the initial clinical
experience for men
• Recruited a male clinical instructor to serve as a role model for
male students.
• Scheduled a monthly meeting for male students led by a social
worker consultant that provided a format for both general discussion
of issues but also a learning opportunity on topics of special
interest e.g. issues of touch, communication differences, caring
styles.
Male retention has greatly increased. The American Assembly of Men
in Nursing has identified the program as a national model. For more
information contact:
Men in Nursing Program
Monterey Peninsula College
980 Fremont St.
Monterey, CA 93940
831-646-4186