health & fitness
Charles Bray
Men are choosing to become nurses for the same reasons women do: job security, the challenges and rewards of the job, good wages and a flexible work schedule. At Salina Regional Health Center, 3 percent of the nurses are men; in fact, the chief nursing officer is a male. James Barker, who also holds the title of vice president of patient care, chose a nursing career 20 years ago after working at other jobs. James has worked in hospitals with a higher percentage of male nurses, but he thinks the number in Salina will increase soon. “In the last six months I am seeing a lot more male nursing students, and I think that’s because of the economy.” Men, however, are less likely to be found caring for the typical patient in a hospital room. Many prefer working in the emergency room (ER), operating room or intensive care unit (ICU). “Men tend to want a faster pace in nursing, just as in life in general, although there are plenty of women who want that, too,” James says. “It still comes down to the individual and what they are motivated by.” Sunflowerliving
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