Ayse Cal
Ondokuz Mayıs University, Turkey
Title: Being a male nurse in oncology clinic: A qualitative study
Biography
Biography: Ayse Cal
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: In Turkish society, nursing profession is identified with the female gender. Analysis of the
experiences male nurses working within the cultural structure of our society get while they are giving health care services is
important in developing the quality of health care services. Within this context, the study was conducted to assess the role and
contributions of male nurses in providing health care to oncology patients and their families.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The study has a qualitative research design. The sample of the study consists of
6 male nurses working in oncology clinic and 19 female nurses working in the same service who were determined with
purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interview form was used and a total of 25 nurses were interviewed through indepth
interview method. The data were analyzed with inductive method by using content analysis method.
Findings: Average age of the nurses interviewed was (min:20; max:45), 70.2% were female, 62.5% were single, 58.3% had
bachelor’s degree and the average of the years they worked in the oncology service was 2.89 (min:1 years; max:9 years). All the
participants stated that it was suitable for male nurses to work in oncology clinic and a great majority emphasized that they
made positive contributions to health team. The data obtained because of interviews were grouped under themes and subthemes
of “patients’ points of view”, “psychosocial care needs” and “effects on the oncology team”.
Conclusions & Significance: In providing health care service, the experiences of oncology nurses associated with their male
colleagues are mostly positive. When it is considered that the number of male nurses is increasing each day in health care
service, the results of the study are pleasing. In addition, it is thought that sharing the results with the society and health
workers will contribute to positive structuring of the existing social perception for male nurses.