Men in Human Services

DECEMBER 2018 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

|

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Men in Human Services

READ the most important advice for men studying nursing, from those who have been there

DISCOVER what advice male nurses have for new entrants into the field LEARN why a few male social workers can make a huge difference

2 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

Having one black educator can help a generation of black students.

Online

in this issue

MEDIAPLANET

One counselor explains the course that led him to helping kids in school.

Online

Male nurses say there’s lots of room for growth in a female-dominated field.

Online

Why More Men Should Be Encouraged to Become Nurses Men are a valuable and increasingly visible part of the nursing industry. There is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to recruiting male nursing educators and minorities.

C

ertainly times have changed for men in nursing since 2000.

That’s when Ben Stiller’s character in the movie remake of “Meet the Parents” brought down the house defending his choice to become a nurse instead of a physician — his killer SAT scores notwithstanding.

To the ridicule and disdain of Robert DeNiro, playing a retired CIA operative and overprotective father-in-law-to-be, Stiller hilariously raised every negative stereotype imaginable about male nurses.

Perhaps today Stiller’s chosen profession would be more acceptable, and the scene wouldn’t get quite so many laughs.

Positive signs Wishful thinking? We don’t think so. The male nursing workforce

has grown to more than 350,000 full-time equivalents in 2016, according to the latest data from the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies at Montana State University. Just 10 years earlier, in 2006, there were only about 175,000.

N o t s u r p r i s i n g l y, m e n i n nursing earn more on average than their female counterparts.

More men than women work in hospitals versus lower-paying outpatient clinics, nursing homes and other community- based health care centers. While that’s a downside for gender equality and pay parity, it does reflect the increased status of men in nursing.

There’s another encouraging sign: The proportion of male nurses of color and other underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities has, since 2004,

remained higher than the proportion of minority female RNs.

G. Rumay Alexander, Ed.D., President, National League for Nursing

Beverly Malone, Ph.D., CEO, National League for Nursing

Room for improvement However, men still represent only 11 percent of the RN workforce, a figure that has held steady since 2011. Among National League f or Nursing ( NL N) me mb e r s surveyed, just 6.4 percent of fulltime nurse educators in 2017 were men, and men represented a paltry 14 percent of students enrolled in pre -licensure RN programs in 2016. Overall diversity within nursing and among nurse faculty, including the numbers of underrepresented minority men, remains unacceptably low.

There is room for improvement in attracting more men — especially more underrepresented minority men — to the field. NLN and other researchers have borne

out the importance of cultural sensitivity in health care delivery, in particular the superior outcomes that result from nurses who reflect the demographics of their patient population.

Strategy for schools Increasing diversity in nursing requires a strategic plan to make schools of nursing more inclusive. One key is the recruitment and retention of faculty that represent minority groups within the nursing workforce itself.

It stands to reason that more men need to be encouraged to pursue advanced degrees in nursing that qualify them to teach. One way to address the shortage of nurse educators that has plagued the field for some time now is to reach out to men and make clear the benefits of a career in nursing education. n

Publisher Samantha Coppola Business Developer Gretchen Pancak Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Chris Espino, Tiffany Pryor, Xiaoli Zhang, Keziah Makoundou Copy Editor Jeremy Binckes Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Manager Josh Rosman Production & Social Media Coordinator Bria Mastroianni Cover Photo American Assembly of Men in Nursing All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

KEEP YOUR FEED FRESH. FOLLOW US @MEDIAPLANETUSA

EMAIL CONTENT INQUIRIES TO EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM

PLEASE RECYCLE AFTER READING

MEDIAPLANET | 3

Why Male Nurses Are a Vital Resource for Teams Despite a wide gender disparity in nursing, the number of male nurses increases every year and can lead to a more diverse and collaborative workplace.

A

l thoug h n u rse s acknowledge th at d i ve r s ity i n t h e workplace makes for a healthier, more collaborative professional environment, a wide gender disparity remains in the nursing field. However, progress is slowly being made.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that of more than 3.1 million full-time registered nurses in the United States, only 11 percent are male, but the number of men in nursing increases annually. Forty years ago, fewer than 50,000 registered nurses were men, compared to nearly 350,000 today.

An increase in nurse turnover is expected over the next few years. According to a 2017 AMN Healthcare survey of registered nurses, more than 1 in 4 nurses plan to retire within a year, and

73 percent of baby boomers expect to retire in three years or less. Now men are uniquely positioned to help fill both the gender and workforce gaps.

Men as caretakers Derek Florence, a registered nurse at a children’s hospital in Ohio, understands the gender gulf exists in part because of a perceived nurturing gap. But he has a different viewpoint.

“There’s the perception that we’re not as caring as our female counterparts,” Florence says. “I bring a unique perspective to the bedside � especially with male patients and kids in their teens � and an opportunity to connect with them and invest in them.”

Florence grew up an avid sports enthusiast but turned in his basketball sneakers and “mediocre

“Diversity reinforces the richness of contributions that every member of the health care team brings.” jump shot” to join his church on a three-week mission of mercy to a Kenyan orphanage. That volunteer work radically changed his life, his worldview and his career path.

“Nurses spend their time at the bedside, in the trenches, and that’s where I wanted to be,” Florence

remembers. “We don’t just see the rollercoaster our patients are on.

We ride it with them.”

Vital resources Seth Durant, a critical care nurse in a Fresno, CA, cardiac intensive care unit, is fluent in English and Spanish. This makes him a vital resource to team with colleagues, translate for patients and their families and overcome communication difficulties.

Integral to the success of Durant and any nurse is skilled communication and collaboration, which are tenets of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ “Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments.”

“My Spanish isn’t just handy.

It’s a godsend,” Durant says.

“Many times we’ve changed a

patient’s outcome or the family’s perception of what’s going on by the simple fact that we can communicate without getting lost in translation.”

Durant’s bilingual skills make him popular in his unit.

“Another blessing of speaking Spanish is that I instantly become the patient and family’s favorite nurse,” Durant says. “All of a sudden you go to the nurse who speaks their language.”

As more men join the nursing field, they bring varied backgrounds, life experiences and personal sensibilities with them.

Diversity reinforces the richness of contributions that every member of the health care team brings to the unit and to patients and their families. n American Association Of CriticalCare Nurses

4 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

Male Nurses Say Why They Want Company Three nurses reveal why they’re looking forward to an industry that better reflects the demographics of the rest of the world.

Hector Arocha, ADN, California University of Pennsylvania

Troy Beekman, RN, Nebraska Methodist College

Impact individuals, communities, and nations with a degree in nursing from Liberty University.

Through Liberty, you’ll acquire the skills necessary to not only work in one of the nation’s fastest growing fields but also to care for your patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Our bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing degree programs are offered online and on campus and are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. For accreditation information, visit CCNEAccreditation.org.

For more information, visit

Liberty.edu/Nursing.

Dr. Jordan Vance, CCRN, Liberty University School of Nursing

MEDIAPLANET | 5

Why did you choose to go into nursing?

Hector Arocha: I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the difference a nurse made to my family. This was the driving force for me becoming a nurse.

Troy Beekman: Nursing initially wasn’t on my radar. I tried other health care areas first, probably because all the nurses I knew or saw on TV were female.

But after I checked into it, I found nursing to be the perfect fit. Now I love going to work.

Dr. Jordan Vance: I knew that God called me to do ministry. At the time I did not know exactly what that meant. The ministry that God called me to was nursing.

In nursing I get to not only serve the neediest of people, but I also get to provide them the physical hands and feet of Christ. After

learning this, I knew that this is what God had called me to do. I am able to serve God and serve people all within the same profession.

Why do you think more men should be encouraged to enter the nursing field?

HA: Respect for men in nursing is increasing, and we should feel proud to embrace our caring side.

It’s not an easy job, but it sure is a rewarding one.

TB: The patient population is diverse. The nursing population should be too. Every field benefits with a diversity of people and ideas.

JV: I think that for the longest time nursing was always seen as a “women’s job.” This understanding is changing and I believe now we are beginning to see a time where the amount of men in nursing is

higher than ever. I think just as there are different parts to the body that have a specific function, men are like this within nursing. Nursing is a field that is for everyone and men can play an important role in that field. I think more men should be encouraged to enter nursing because there is a place they can fit. There is a place they can provide healing and care to those who need it. I think the goal of providing care to individuals should surpass the understanding of what is a male or female job, but instead should focus on how each individual can live out their full calling. We do have a place in this very important health care role.

What are your hopes for the future of the nursing field?

HA: One of my many hopes is that this profession continues to diversify. Men are part of this change.

TB: Nursing is about using critical thinking, advanced education, clinical skill and compassion to improve health and well-being.

I hope people understand nursing isn’t a gender thing. It’s a human thing.

JV: I hope to see nursing continue to grow and develop into a field that is on the forefront of research and practice. Nurses are now in every aspect of patient care. This can be at the bedside, case management, as a provider or even as an anesthetist. I hope to see that nursing begins to play out more research in patient care and be on the forefront for change in patient care trends. I hope to see this starting at the bedside with those who are directly working in patient care. Continued education, growth and deliverance of high quality effective care is what I hope to see for the future of nursing.

What advice do you have for a male who is interested in pursuing a career in nursing?

HA: I would say, “Go for it!”

But do your research first. Find out as much as you can about this field.

TB: Go for it! You’ll love nursing. Nursing can take you anywhere you want to go, and you really will make a difference.

JV: Just get involved. If they have the passion to care for individuals and be a health care provider then jump in headfirst, they will not be disappointed.

There is a place for you in this ever changing and growing field.

There needs to more representation of us within the field of nursing and it will be one of the best decisions you will make for your future. n

Become ecome a Leader care in Healt Healthcare Take charge with an online graduate degree in education, public health policy, business, advanced practice nursing and more at Nebraska Methodist College, winner of a 2018 AAMN Best School/College for Men in Nursing Award.

402-354-7200 Mo Gregory III, BSN, RN NMC graduate & DNP-FNP student

methodistcollege.edu/lead NMCOmaha

6 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

Why Men in Social Work Are Key to Shattering Stereotypes James Bell III, MSW, director of policy and engagement, Michigan Public Health Institute says that representation matters when it comes to social work. That includes having men represented.

Why do you think more men should be encouraged to enter the field of social work?

In order to reduce the patterns and outcomes of toxic masculinity, we must be in spaces that explore emotions. Social work is that field.

What are some of the most rewarding parts about being a social worker?

The work is varied, it is challenging and it is stimulating. Social work has trained me to approach all tasks with an asset frame.

What advice do you have for a male who is interested in pursuing a career in social work?

We want our communities to accept diversity. The field has to reflect that. There is someone out there seeking a male social worker.

Why did you decide to enter the social work field?

Representation matters. I’ve always wanted to ensure those who were not heard have a seat at the table, and those in power could hear.

What are some trends you are seeing emerge in the social work field?

The role of technology in social work is growing quickly and for good reason. I’m also seeing more conversation around trauma-informed communities.

What are some of your hopes for the future of the field of social work?

If we are truly interested in changing hearts and minds, we need to change the story we hear and repeat through shifting dominant narratives. n

WE TELL STORIES THAT MATTER. WHO WILL? Lead Advocate Embrace Diversity

SPARTANS WILL.

Offering BASW MSW & PhD Programs

Apply Today at

socialwork.msu.edu Mediaplanet.com

MEDIAPLANET | 7

Advice for Male Nursing Students: “Speak up and Show up” Though male nurses are uncommon, they can still succeed and find plenty of opportunities to thrive in their chosen career.

When it comes to the nursing industry, men are in the minority. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 9 percent of nurses are men. And yet Alvin Jeffery, a nurse scientist, educator and nurse practitioner in Nashville, TN, has thrived in a female-dominated industry.

Jeffery has held a variety of positions in the nursing profession, from emergency department technician to pediatric critical care nurse. While he has enjoyed taking on new challenges throughout his career, his current role — nurse scientist — is his favorite.

“I love the role because it offers the flexibility to do everything from interacting with people in a clinical setting, speaking at conferences, writing books and articles to helping inform practice and asking important questions for which I get to lead a team to finding an answer,” Jeffery says.

Become the PHARMACIST you truly want to be at a place where faith, service and profession are one.

- 18th nationally on NAPLEX - 100 percent job placement rate - No PCAT required - 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio - Leader in interprofessional education, pharmacy informatics and pharmacy management lipscomb.edu/pharmacy

Nashville, Tenn.

Carving your own path While he doesn’t think nurses need to follow his same career path, he does believe they should seek as many opportunities as possible if they want to become a leader.

“Seeing how other units or organizations provide patient care, having mentors, doing volunteer work, serving on a local non-profit board, precepting a new nurse, attending a national conference, traveling internationally, and so much more ... all of these experiences help you realize there’s not just one way of doing something,” he says.

Advice for the men Jeffery says speaking up and showing up is the key to success in nursing.

“Once you’re in school, speak up when you don’t understand something or if you feel like you’re not receiving equal treatment as your female peers,” he advises. “Once you’re on the job, speak up when you notice opportunities for improvement and show up for committee meetings, town halls and other places where decisions are made in your organization.” n Susan Guillory