Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice

Introduction As the number of males, entering nursing and midwifery increase in number, challenges faced by these males during training sessions also is on rise. Since these challenges vary from culture to culture, it is essential to understand the experiences and challenges of male nursing students...

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Main Authors: Divya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN, Gerald Amandu Matua RN, PhD, Vidya Seshan RN, RM, PhD, Emi John Prince RN, RM, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2023-02-01
Series:SAGE Open Nursing
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231160482
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author Divya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN
Gerald Amandu Matua RN, PhD
Vidya Seshan RN, RM, PhD
Emi John Prince RN, RM, PhD
author_facet Divya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN
Gerald Amandu Matua RN, PhD
Vidya Seshan RN, RM, PhD
Emi John Prince RN, RM, PhD
author_sort Divya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN
collection DOAJ
description Introduction As the number of males, entering nursing and midwifery increase in number, challenges faced by these males during training sessions also is on rise. Since these challenges vary from culture to culture, it is essential to understand the experiences and challenges of male nursing students during their nursing education. Aim To explore the challenges faced by male nursing students in learning maternal health nursing and the remedial strategies to improve their performance as identified by the students. Design A descriptive qualitative research design using focus group discussion method was used. Methods Twenty-two (22) undergraduate male nursing students enrolled in the Maternal Health Nursing Course during the Academic Years 2017 and 2018 were purposively selected to participate in the study through five (5) focus groups each comprising between four to six students. Results Three themes emerged from the study: (a) cultural constraints in the clinical learning process; (b) traditional gender-biased role expectations , and (c) alternative teaching strategies . In terms of “ cultural constraints ,” the students felt the Arabic culture was the main barrier in direct patient care in midwifery practice. In relation to “ gender-biased role expectations ,” the students reported that they felt “ not accepted and isolated” in midwifery clinical areas. Thirdly, the “ alternative teaching strategies” relate to the student's remedy to the cultural constraints and the gender bias faced that undermined their learning and overall performance in maternity nursing course . These alternative ways of learning included, “ increased involvement of nurses and midwives in teaching learning” ; “ cultivating positive relationship between the clinical instructor and students ,” and the “ use of high fidelity simulation to learn skills in midwifery education .” Conclusion The study findings revealed that male student nurses face significant challenges in maternity nursing course.
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spelling doaj.art-e378cd55c6794dc3a99ebacba49ae7542023-02-28T09:03:30ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open Nursing2377-96082023-02-01910.1177/23779608231160482Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and PracticeDivya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN0Gerald Amandu Matua RN, PhD1Vidya Seshan RN, RM, PhD2Emi John Prince RN, RM, PhD3 Maternal and Child Health Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman Fundamentals and Administration Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman Maternal and Child Health Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman , Nathan, Queensland, AustraliaIntroduction As the number of males, entering nursing and midwifery increase in number, challenges faced by these males during training sessions also is on rise. Since these challenges vary from culture to culture, it is essential to understand the experiences and challenges of male nursing students during their nursing education. Aim To explore the challenges faced by male nursing students in learning maternal health nursing and the remedial strategies to improve their performance as identified by the students. Design A descriptive qualitative research design using focus group discussion method was used. Methods Twenty-two (22) undergraduate male nursing students enrolled in the Maternal Health Nursing Course during the Academic Years 2017 and 2018 were purposively selected to participate in the study through five (5) focus groups each comprising between four to six students. Results Three themes emerged from the study: (a) cultural constraints in the clinical learning process; (b) traditional gender-biased role expectations , and (c) alternative teaching strategies . In terms of “ cultural constraints ,” the students felt the Arabic culture was the main barrier in direct patient care in midwifery practice. In relation to “ gender-biased role expectations ,” the students reported that they felt “ not accepted and isolated” in midwifery clinical areas. Thirdly, the “ alternative teaching strategies” relate to the student's remedy to the cultural constraints and the gender bias faced that undermined their learning and overall performance in maternity nursing course . These alternative ways of learning included, “ increased involvement of nurses and midwives in teaching learning” ; “ cultivating positive relationship between the clinical instructor and students ,” and the “ use of high fidelity simulation to learn skills in midwifery education .” Conclusion The study findings revealed that male student nurses face significant challenges in maternity nursing course.https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231160482
spellingShingle Divya Raghavan RN, RM, MSN
Gerald Amandu Matua RN, PhD
Vidya Seshan RN, RM, PhD
Emi John Prince RN, RM, PhD
Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
SAGE Open Nursing
title Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
title_full Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
title_fullStr Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
title_full_unstemmed Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
title_short Male Student Challenges in a Maternity Nursing Clinical Course in a Middle Eastern Country: Strategies for Improved Performance and Future Implications for Nursing Education and Practice
title_sort male student challenges in a maternity nursing clinical course in a middle eastern country strategies for improved performance and future implications for nursing education and practice
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231160482
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