Men in Nursing at Adelphi: Breaking the Stigma
Garden City, NY (04/29/2024) — The United States is facing a nursing crisis, with registered nurses projected to decline by 1.5 million by 2030. Nationally, about 12 percent of registered nurses were men in 2022, an increase of nearly 400 percent from just 2.7 percent in the 1970s. Can the looming nursing shortage be averted by attracting more men to the profession?
Anthony Egan, director of Adelphi University's College of Nursing and Public Health's Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), thinks so-and he's actively working to bring more men into the field and provide greater support for the men who make up about 13 percent of Adelphi's nursing students.
"Recruiting men to the profession is a great way to address the present nursing shortage," Egan said. "We need to expand where we're looking for nurses. Attracting men to nursing is one way to fill the staff shortages, but we also need to recruit people of different ethnic backgrounds so we can better serve patients."
In Spring 2023, Egan established a chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) at the University. The chapter, which first met in December 2022, now has 25 members. He sees the organization as "a place where men can discuss their thoughts and feel free to voice their concerns about nursing." With plans already in the works for Fall 2024, he added, "We are lining up guest speakers, such as a Navy nurse and a flight nurse from Northwell Health's SkyHealth [as role models]. We're also looking at having [TikTok comedian] Nurse Blake come to campus for a show in the PAC [Performing Arts Center]. But, like all things, [first] we need more involvement."
Students who joined the organization said they think Adelphi's AAMN chapter will help erase the stigma around men in the nursing profession and attract more interest in the career.
One of the founding members, Joshua Roca '23, served as its president in the months before the fall 2023 election of officers. Roca, who continues his membership as an alumnus, said the chapter has been attracting members by holding meetings to discuss current and future events in nursing, organizing events for male nursing students and sending out email newsletters about upcoming events. Roca says his most memorable experience at Adelphi was, "joining the Men in Nursing chapter. And collaborating with Professor [Anthony] Egan to raise money for national dues, so we can become officially recognized." He says the admiration he felt for healthcare workers, specifically nurses, he saw in hospitals growing up inspired him to pursue the career. "It takes aspecial type of person to be dedicated to saving lives."
Adelphi's Men in Nursing Chapter will celebrate Nurse's Week with a chapter BBQ on Thursday, May 2. The University will also host various events beginning April 29 including a job fair and self-care day to honor nurses. Members of the media are welcome to attend and cover.
Learn more about Adelphi's College of Nursing and Public Health.
About Adelphi's College of Nursing and Public Health
The College of Nursing and Public Health is a leader in the field of nursing education. One of fewer than 100 schools nationwide recognized by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education and as a U.S. News & World Report Best College and Best Grad School for Nursing, it sets the standard for innovative teaching with hands-on learning in its state-of-the-art simulation lab, groundbreaking scholarship and research, and contributions to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Known for preparing undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students for leadership roles in a variety of health settings and academia, the College is one of only 10 schools nationwide selected by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to participate in an initiative promoting leadership development, self-care and resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the College also emerged as a vital source of public health information for the public and national media. The College's MPH program recently was accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health; its baccalaureate, master's and doctoral nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university in the United States with a personalized approach to higher learning
Adelphi University, New York, US, is a highly awarded, internationally ranked and powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives. It is recognized for small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training at the undergraduate and graduate level with particular strength in its 'Core Four' academic areas: the Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness.
Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university. It serves more than 7,250 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York-just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities-and at dynamic learning hubs in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.
More than 119,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities, and the world.
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Adelphi’s Men in Nursing Chapter will celebrate Nurse’s Week with a chapter BBQ on Thursday, May 2. The University will also host various events beginning April 29 including a job fair and self-care day to honor nurses.