Exploring the Gendered Experiences of South African Males in the Nursing Profession
Kelsey Nairn
Bachelor of Applied Social Science
South African College of Applied Psychology
Research Thesis
Supervisor: Sally Ledwaba
6th November 2022
, Abstract
Nurses are the most numerous healthcare providers in South Africa, and their
influence is enormous in both the public and private sectors (Winter, 2018). Women
outnumber men in the nursing profession globally. Men are the nursing profession's minority,
regardless of a country's economic, political, or social standing (Shakwane, 2014). An
investigation of male nurse experiences in the workplace is required to better understand the
recurring problems of gender inequalities, particularly in the nursing profession. An
integrative review and thematic analysis will discuss male nurses' experiences with
workplace gender discrimination and how they combat gender diversity (Lau et al., 2022).
Furthermore, resilience theory will be examined to highlight the need for paradigm shifts in
the workplace and nursing industry from one recurring problem to resilient solutions. As a
result, long-term advancements in gender inequality in the workplace debate are possible.
Keywords: Gender Discrimination, Gender Preference Treatment, Resilience, Motivation.
, Table of Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................2
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................3
List of Tables..............................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................5
1.1 Background information...................................................................................................5
1.2 Problem Statement...........................................................................................................6
1.3 Research objectives..........................................................................................................6
1.4 Rationale of the study.......................................................................................................7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.........................................................12
3.1 Resilience Theory...........................................................................................................12
3.2 Resilience and Gender in the workplace........................................................................12
CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY...................................................................................14
4.1 Research Design.............................................................................................................14
4.2 Data Collection...............................................................................................................15
4.3 Participants.....................................................................................................................15
4.4 Data Analysis.................................................................................................................16
4.5 Elimination of Researcher's Bias....................................................................................18
4.6 Ethical Considerations....................................................................................................18
, 4.7 Do No Harm, Professional Consultation and Supervision.............................................20
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS.................................................................................................22
5.1 Demographics.................................................................................................................22
5.2 Research Findings..........................................................................................................22
CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION...............................................................................................30
CHAPTER SEVEN: LIMITATIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......37
7.1 Limitations......................................................................................................................37
7.2 Conclusion......................................................................................................................38
7.3 Recommendations..........................................................................................................39
References................................................................................................................................42
List of Tables
Table 1: Responses and themes drawn from participants' responses.......................................23
Kelsey Nairn
Bachelor of Applied Social Science
South African College of Applied Psychology
Research Thesis
Supervisor: Sally Ledwaba
6th November 2022
, Abstract
Nurses are the most numerous healthcare providers in South Africa, and their
influence is enormous in both the public and private sectors (Winter, 2018). Women
outnumber men in the nursing profession globally. Men are the nursing profession's minority,
regardless of a country's economic, political, or social standing (Shakwane, 2014). An
investigation of male nurse experiences in the workplace is required to better understand the
recurring problems of gender inequalities, particularly in the nursing profession. An
integrative review and thematic analysis will discuss male nurses' experiences with
workplace gender discrimination and how they combat gender diversity (Lau et al., 2022).
Furthermore, resilience theory will be examined to highlight the need for paradigm shifts in
the workplace and nursing industry from one recurring problem to resilient solutions. As a
result, long-term advancements in gender inequality in the workplace debate are possible.
Keywords: Gender Discrimination, Gender Preference Treatment, Resilience, Motivation.
, Table of Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................2
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................3
List of Tables..............................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................5
1.1 Background information...................................................................................................5
1.2 Problem Statement...........................................................................................................6
1.3 Research objectives..........................................................................................................6
1.4 Rationale of the study.......................................................................................................7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK.........................................................12
3.1 Resilience Theory...........................................................................................................12
3.2 Resilience and Gender in the workplace........................................................................12
CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY...................................................................................14
4.1 Research Design.............................................................................................................14
4.2 Data Collection...............................................................................................................15
4.3 Participants.....................................................................................................................15
4.4 Data Analysis.................................................................................................................16
4.5 Elimination of Researcher's Bias....................................................................................18
4.6 Ethical Considerations....................................................................................................18
, 4.7 Do No Harm, Professional Consultation and Supervision.............................................20
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS.................................................................................................22
5.1 Demographics.................................................................................................................22
5.2 Research Findings..........................................................................................................22
CHAPTER SIX: DISCUSSION...............................................................................................30
CHAPTER SEVEN: LIMITATIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......37
7.1 Limitations......................................................................................................................37
7.2 Conclusion......................................................................................................................38
7.3 Recommendations..........................................................................................................39
References................................................................................................................................42
List of Tables
Table 1: Responses and themes drawn from participants' responses.......................................23
