Stress, workplace bullying, and career decision of male nursing students: a qualitative inquiry of male undergraduate nursing students

Background: This study aims to understand and explore the relationships between stress, workplace bullying, and experiences of male nursing students in South Korea. A shortage of nursing professionals is currently a significant problem in the health and social care system. Although the government has established enrolment plans and scholarships for potential nursing students, long-term solutions still have not been found. The number of newly registered male nursing professionals is still significantly low. Based on the self-efficacy approach and social cognitive career and motivation theory, three research questions guided this study: (1) What are the sources of stress for male nursing students in South Korea? (2) How would male nursing students describe their position, role, and experience as male individuals in South Korea? (3) Do gender role, gender discrimination, gender bias, and gender inequality influence the experience of male nursing students in South Korea? Method: With the qualitative inquiry, 20 male nursing undergraduate students were invited. The results indicated that stress from the gender role, discrimination and social bias due to their gender and nursing position caused the relationships between stress, workplace bullying, and career decision. Results: Based on the results, male nursing students face stress, burnout, pressure, and gender bias, which may influence their career decision and long-term development. Conclusion: Therefore, government departments, university leaders, medical facilities managers, and human resource planners should take this study as the opportunity to reform and polish the government policies and regulations to answer the gender discrimination and bias in the health and social care profession.