Sex role stereotyping and role strain of male registered nurses

Abstract

Because of sex role stereotypes, certain occupations are considered appropriate for only one sex and elicit role strain in members of the opposite sex. The role strain of males in nursing, a predominantly female profession, is described in this article. A Role Strain instrument developed by the investigators was administered through mail questionnaires to 367 randomly selected male RNs in Oregon. As a group, these men: (a) experienced only mild role strain in contacts with community members, co-workers, and patients; (b) received support on their career choices from their families; and (c) considered inadequate pay a major source of strain in their work. Several explanations are offered for the general lack of severe role strain among these male nurses.