Men in a female-dominated profession: The lived experiences of Ghanaian male nurses in the United States

Author

Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong, Lesley University

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

Abstract

Minority men are less than two percent of the total nursing workforce in the United States. The small presence of minority men in the nursing profession presents a challenge to healthcare providers as patients are much more responsive and open-minded to healthcare providers of the same cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This qualitative study was designed to explore the lived professional experiences of Ghanaian male nurses in the United States to shed light on the barriers minority men encounter in the nursing profession in order to make suggestions relating to strategies to appropriately support minority men in their nursing practice. This study utilized a purposeful sample of 10 Ghanaian male nurses (six interviewees and four focus group participants) from the New York City metropolitan area. Data were collected from three sources including in-depth interviews, a focus group interview, and participants’ diaries. The interviews were conducted in both English and Twi-- a Ghanaian local dialect. The interviews were translated, transcribed, and coded manually using Moustakas’ (1994) transcendental phenomenological approach to develop common themes describing the shared lived experiences of Ghanaian male nurses in the United States. Seven themes were identified: a) separateness; b) discrimination; c) job security and benefits; d) career opportunities; e) gender-based stereotypes; f) caring through spirituality; and g) glass (d)escalator. Despite the challenges and barriers encountered, the participants expressed satisfaction for their career choice because of job security and career opportunities afforded them in the nursing profession. Recommendations offered to minority male nurses, hospitals, and other stakeholders of healthcare relate to targeting the support and retention of minority men in the nursing profession.

Language

English

Number of Pages

150

Embargo Period

5-26-2017

Recommended Citation

Frimpong, Daniel Kwadjo, "Men in a female-dominated profession: The lived experiences of Ghanaian male nurses in the United States" (2016). Educational Studies Dissertations. 5.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/education_dissertations/5