A Mixed-Methods Study of Gender Differences in Nurse Reporting and Nurse Discipline

Introduction: Studies consistently show that male nurses are overrepresented in the group of nurses who are disciplined by boards of nursing (BONs). This study explored whether the overrepresentation was due to gender-related bias at the level of reporting or at the level of discipline. Methods: Potential reporting bias was studied by a national randomized survey to elicit hypothetical reporting practices of nurses. Potential bias in the discipline of nurses was explored using descriptive statistics and propensity score matching techniques with existing National Council of State Boards of Nursing data sets-one on criminal convictions in nurses and one on practice errors committed by nurses. Results: One significant difference in the survey responses suggested a possibility of small bias in favor of male nurses in one hypothetical reporting circumstance. Analysis of the discipline data revealed the frequency of disciplinary actions assigned to male and female nurses who had criminal convictions for driving under the influence, fraud, and theft were similar. No differences were found between male and female nurses in disciplinary outcomes for practice-related errors. Conclusion: No evidence was found that suggests the overrepresentation of males in the group of nurses who are disciplined by BONs is due to gender-related bias at the level of reporting or at the level of discipline.