It’s no secret that the field of nursing has predominantly been one that is occupied by females. There has long since been a stigma tied to males wishing to enter the field of nursing, and that stigma has unfortunately affected the numbers greatly. Combine the stigma with a gender pay gap, stereotypes, and just a lack of male mentors in the field and it just hasn’t been a very balanced career to pursue.

And while history certainly can’t be erased, nor can stereotypes overnight, the good news is that the field is changing and statistics look promising with more males than ever entering into the field. In fact, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of last year, men make up 12% of the registered nurses in the country. Sure, it’s still very imbalanced, but it is an improvement, and it’s heading in the right direction.

So, as the stigma starts to fade and more males are entering into the field of nursing, could this be the right time for you to consider it as a career? What does nursing have to offer you as a male? Can it be not just a great job right now but provide a successful future for you, allowing you to work in the field until retirement? Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of being a male in the nursing field today.

Be an Active Part of Change

One of the most rewarding things for men entering the field of nursing is knowing they are an active part of change. Simply by them pursuing their dream and following their heart, they are in fact blazing the trail for others that follow. They are helping to erase the stigma and stereotypes and create a more balanced field.

Making a Positive Impact in People’s Lives

Then there is the other feel-good aspect of becoming a nurse, and that’s the fact you’ll be making a positive impact in people’s lives each and every shift you work. That alone can be extremely powerful and rewarding, and can definitely convince you to stick with the career the rest of your working years.

There is a Real Demand for Male Nurses

It’s also nice to be part of an industry where you are in demand, where you can actually find work and put your skills to use. There is the very simple fact that it helps both sexes of patients feel better represented and understood, which is helping to drive this demand. Let’s face it, whether it’s right or not, some male patients prefer to have sensitive procedures or exams done by someone of the same sex. Having that male nurse on duty can certainly prove to be useful.

Nursing in general is a field that is going through a period of job growth right now, whether you are male or not. In fact, the BLS has predicted it will grow by 12% by 2028, which is much faster than the average job growth across the country.

Enjoy a Healthy Compensation

As for salary, registered nurses have a median pay of $73,300 per year as of 2019. Of course, you can always make more than that depending on where you work and how far you take your education.

There Is a Sense of Career Stability

Because nurses are so in demand across the entire country, there is also a sense of career stability. You have the peace of mind in knowing your job won’t be obsolete within the next decade. It also gives you the flexibility to move around the country, and even to other countries if you choose, and still work within your field.

Choose Your Employer

Often, when you think about nurses, you think of a hospital environment. While it’s true you will find nurses working at a hospital, that isn’t the only option. Other work environments include nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices, clinics, schools, and home healthcare services. In other words, you’ve got a lot of options laid out before you.

Choose Your Hours

Perhaps you’re not looking for a full-time career, maybe you want something part-time for the time being so you can spend the rest of the time as a stay-at-home dad. Again, nursing can be the perfect solution. Not only can you work part-time, but there is also shift work, which can make it a bit easier to juggle childcare if both adults in the home are working. You can choose to work a night shift while your significant other is working a day shift.

There is Always Something New to Learn

If you’re afraid of picking a job that feels stagnant and has you feeling trapped, the healthcare industry couldn’t be more opposite. There is always new research, techniques, practices, medications, diagnosis, and so forth to learn about and put to use. There is no such thing as knowing it all; you will be learning on the job the rest of your working years.

There’s No Need to Stop at a Registered Nurse

While becoming a registered nurse may be your first step in your healthcare-focused career, it certainly doesn’t have to be the last step in the plan. For example, you may want to explore one of the popular online DNP programs, which is a Doctor of Nursing Practice meant for registered nurses with an MSN or BSN that want to advance to the next level. As a graduate of this program, you can take on a leadership role and pursue such career paths as a family nurse practitioner, an executive nurse, a neonatal nurse practitioner, a nurse-midwife, or even a pediatric nurse practitioner.

In other words, the position of a registered nurse can simply be a stepping stone that advances you to your next job in the field.

Nursing Offers a Very Healthy Outlook for Males

So, if you’re a male who likes the idea of entering into nursing but isn’t exactly sure if you could be successful, all signs point to it being a very good path to follow.