Men in Nursing: Advocating for Men’s Health and Well-Being

Celebrating Men’s Health Month

Each June, we observe Men’s Health Month—a time to raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment for men and boys. As nurses, we are in a unique position to not only promote the well-being of the male population but also reflect on the evolving role of men in nursing. Though still underrepresented, men are making meaningful contributions to the profession while helping to advance men’s health through their care, perspective, and presence.

In this blog, we explore the value of men in nursing, take a closer look at men’s healthcare needs, and consider how the nursing profession can better promote the physical and emotional well-being of men in our communities.

Men in Nursing: Breaking Barriers and Building Diversity

For years, nursing has been stereotypically viewed as a female-dominated profession. Although this perception is slowly changing, men still make up only about 10-11% of the nursing workforce in the United States (Smiley et al., 2025; Munday, 2024). Despite this minority status, male nurses are demonstrating that caring and clinical competence know no gender.

Men bring valuable strengths to nursing, including:

• A diverse perspective in patient care

• Comfort for certain male patients who may feel more at ease discussing personal or sensitive issues

• Representation for young boys and men who may be considering nursing as a profession

  
  

However, male nurses still face challenges. Gender bias, lack of representation in leadership and nursing education, and outdated societal perceptions can deter men from entering or remaining in the profession. It is essential that we continue to promote nursing as a rewarding, gender-inclusive career and highlight male role models who exemplify compassion, clinical excellence, and leadership.

Men’s Healthcare: Addressing Critical Needs

Men’s health outcomes, on average, lag behind those of women. Men are more likely to:

• Die from heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries

• Struggle with untreated mental health conditions, such as depression or substance use disorders

• Avoid preventive care and delay seeking treatment

Cultural norms around masculinity often contribute to these disparities. Many men feel pressure to appear “tough” or “invulnerable,” which can make them less likely to talk about physical symptoms, emotional concerns, or stress. As nurses, we can work to normalize and support the idea that seeking help is a sign of strength—not weakness (Mursa et al., 2024).

How Nursing Can Promote the Health and Well-Being of Men

Nursing has long been on the front lines of public health, education, and patient advocacy. When it comes to improving men’s health, we can make a difference in several impactful ways:

1. Health Education & Advocacy

Nurses can initiate conversations about nutrition, exercise, mental health, substance use, and the importance of regular checkups. Educating men on personal risk factors and behavior modification can stress the importance of mitigating risk factors for better overall health (Mursa et al. 2024). As nurses, we can encourage men to schedule health screenings and follow up on health concerns promptly.

2. Culturally Competent Communication

Understanding how men prefer to receive health information whether through private one-on-one conversations, community events, or workplace wellness programs can help us engage them more effectively (Caperchione & Sharp, 2025). 

3. Outreach & Community Involvement

Nurses can organize or participate in men’s health fairs, offer blood pressure screenings, provide educational materials, or partner with barbershops, gyms, and other male-focused spaces to reach men where they are. Small events can have a big impact on overall health (Wippold et al., 2024).

4. Support & Inclusion of Male Nurses

To fully address men’s health, we must also create inclusive environments that welcome and support male nurses. This includes mentoring, leadership opportunities, and intentional recruitment efforts in nursing schools and beyond. The American Association for Men in Nursing is a resource for ALL nurses and nursing students interested in advancing the field of nursing. Visit https://www.aamn.org/ to learn more!

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Men’s Health Month reminds us that the health and well-being of men deserves focused attention, not only during June but all year long. As nurses, we can lead the way by supporting men as patients but also by welcoming them as valued colleagues into the nursing profession.

Let’s continue to:

• Encourage more men to consider nursing as a career 

• Support open conversations about men’s physical and mental health

• Break down the stigma surrounding help-seeking for men

• Advocate for equitable access to care for all men and boys

  
  

Because when we support the well-being of all, our entire communities thrive. 

References

Capershione, C., & Sharp, P. (2025). Working with men - perspectives on men’s health education and behaviour. Health Education Journal, 84(3), 213-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/00178969251326659

Munday, R. (2024). Male nurse statistics: A look at the numbers. NurseJournal. Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/articles/male-nurse-statistics/

Mursa, R., McErlean, G., Patterson, C., & Halcomb, E. (2024). Understanding the lifestyle risk profile of men and their engagement with preventative care: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81, 2418-2425. https:doi.org/10.1111/jan.16425

Smiley, R. A., Kaminski-Ozturk, N., Reid, M., Burwell, P., Oliveira C., Shobo, Y., Allgeyer, R. L., Zhong, E., O’Hara, C., Volk, A., & Martin, B. (2024). The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 16, (1), S1-S88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(25)00047-X.

Wippold, G. Abshire, D. A., Garcia, K. A., Crichlow, Z., Frary, S. G., Murphy, E. R., Frank, L., Johnson, L., & Woods, T. (2024). Lessons learned from a community-based men’s health fair. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15, 1-7. doi: 10.1177/21501319231222766