More men are entering the nursing field. No, not to use it as a stepping stone to become physicians, but as a viable and rewarding career path of its own. This wasn’t the case a little over 20 years ago as men made up 6% of the 2,909,357 registered nurses in 2004. Fast-forward two decades and that number has more than doubled at 13.2%.

Credit evolving perspectives that recognize nursing isn’t a gender-specific career, along with television shows that help normalize male nurses and targeted recruitment campaigns and focused strategies. Together, these efforts present nursing as more accessible and appealing to men and help address the nursing shortage.

Demand still outpaces supply

While men are joining the nursing field at a higher rate, not enough are entering to close the gap. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis estimates that by 2038, the nursing shortfall will be 141,160.

According to an April 2023 report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the number of men enrolled in undergraduate nursing programs averaged 12.7% over 5 years. Master’s degree enrollment reached as high as 12.2% in 2018 before averaging a consistent 11.7% over the next 3 years. Only doctor of nursing practice enrollment showed a steady increase, rising from 13.4% in 2018 to 14.8% in 2023.

Efforts to boost male nurse numbers

The healthcare industry can do a better job of highlighting the exceptional skills required in nursing for both men and women. Grit and resilience are essential for becoming a nurse, but the role also requires compassion and care. A strong bedside manner, solid work ethic, and the ability to persevere in any situation define a successful nurse, regardless of gender.

The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) launched a 20×40 campaign in November 2025 to increase the percentage of male nurses by 20% by 2040 through recruitment and retention efforts, the development of a mentorship program, and a men’s health certification. Through the Future RN campaign, AAMN will showcase nursing as a viable career option for young men in middle and high school.

In February 2026, the American Nurses Association (ANA) formally recognized Men’s Health Nursing as a specialty within the nursing profession. “Designating men’s health as a nursing specialty sharpens our capacity to provide focused, evidence-based care that advances the health of boys and men, uplifting and strengthening their communities,” said ANA president Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN.

Normalizing male nurses

TV medical dramas have helped break outdated nursing stereotypes. When the cultural phenomenon Grey’s Anatomy debuted in 2005, male nurses remained an oddity. The large ensemble cast featured only two male nurses in recurring roles.

Twenty years later, the ER-based streaming series The Pitt reflects the progress made in portraying male nurses on TV. In the show’s initial 12 episodes, eight male nurses were featured and highlighted as valuable contributors to patient interaction. Among them is actual ER nurse Ned Brower, who continues taking shifts during breaks in The Pitt’s shooting schedule.

While the scenarios are fictional, they depict male nurses in an aspirational light that may encourage viewers who hadn’t previously considered this career path. Women have long understood the rewards of being a nurse, and many men now recognize them as well.

“There are still some outdated ideas that nursing is ‘women’s work,’” said Bobby Lane, MSN, RN, CNL, senior manager of Nursing Education Services at Nightingale College. “While I do see a decrease in this mentality, some people assume men do the heavy lifting and women do the ‘nurturing.’ Those ideas miss the real value of nursing, which is grounded in strong clinical skills, critical thinking, and empathy.”

That empathy is especially helpful for male patients who might be embarrassed to discuss some symptoms with a female nurse, Lane added.

Next steps

As more men enter the nursing profession, increased visibility helps break down outdated perceptions and creates opportunities for future generations who may not have previously envisioned themselves in scrubs. Yet visibility alone won’t close the workforce gap.

Colleges and healthcare organizations must continue broadening recruitment, building mentorship pipelines, and presenting nursing as a viable, respected career option for young men long before they make decisions about their futures.

More men are needed in the field to provide better representation. Hospitals and clinics can encourage greater male participation by spotlighting male nurses, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of recognizing the 87% of nurses who are female who consistently provide excellent care.

Male nurses also can serve as strong advocates for the profession by continuing to challenge stereotypes and highlighting the exceptional skills required in nursing, including a strong bedside manner, a solid work ethic, and the ability to persevere in any situation.

After all, every nurse—regardless of gender—makes a meaningful impact on the world and deserves to be recognized and valued.

Dexter Abraham is an associated professor of nursing experiential learning at Nightingale College in Salt Lake City, Utah.

References

Department of Health & Human Services. The registered nurse population. March 2024. data.hrsa.gov/DataDownload/NSSRN/GeneralPUF04/rnsurvey2004.pdf

Health Resources & Services Administration. Health workforce projections. December 2025. bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/projecting-health-workforce-supply-demand

Hill B. Men in nursing. Br J Nurs. 2025;34(4):200.