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Abstract
Background: Nursing is widely stereotyped as a low-status, female-dominated profession requiring limited education and autonomy. In Pakistan, such gendered perceptions are strongly shaped by cultural norms, often placing male nurses at social and professional disadvantage. Although the number of men entering nursing is increasing, their experiences of stereotyping and marginalization remain insufficiently explored.
Aim: This phenomenological inquiry aimed to explore the lived experiences of men facing nursing stereotypes in Lahore, Pakistan, focusing on how male registered nurses perceive and navigate gender-based challenges within healthcare settings and society.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was adopted. Seventeen male registered nurses were purposively selected from three teaching hospitals in Lahore: General Hospital, Services Hospital, and Jinnah Hospital. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The COREQ checklist guided qualitative reporting.
Results: Three themes emerged: stigma associated with men in nursing, resilience and coping strategies used by male nurses, and perspectives on the future role of men in the nursing profession in Lahore.
Conclusion: Male nurses experienced both acceptance and discrimination. Despite stereotyping and workplace challenges, they demonstrated resilience and a strong desire for professional recognition and social respect.