Abstract
Objectives
Despite the cultural challenges and stigma associated with nursing in the United Arab Emirates, there has been an increase in male nursing students. It is therefore important to understand barriers and facilitators that influence their decision to choose nursing education.
Methods
This qualitative study used purposive sampling to recruit 30 male undergraduate students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analyzed with thematic analysis.
Results
Ten themes were identified that described barriers and facilitators to choosing nursing programs as perceived by male students. Four themes reflected barriers and six themes were identified that encompassed facilitators to choosing nursing programs.
Conclusions
For international audiences, our findings could be helpful in enhancing both the recruitment and educational opportunities for male nursing students. Male students may be inspired to pursue the nursing profession by the presence of men in the profession and favorable male role models. Effort is needed to recruit male role models in nursing schools.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the study participants, Head of the Nursing Department, faculty members, and staff of the nursing program at the College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, for their contribution to this study.
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Research funding: No funding from any organization or institution was received for this study.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
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Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
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Ethical approval: The University of Sharjah Research Ethics Committee approved this study (Reference Number: REC 20-02-05-01-S).
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