 |
Front row, left to right: Nicholas Sorrell; second row: Zemis Sedriks, Daniel Gillen; back row: Martin Spohn, Kameron Thurmond, Matthew Dunagan, Matthew Gartner, Matthew Buckneberg. Photo by Agnes Natale. |
For the 2002-03 school year, the college had a 59 percent increase in the number of undergraduate male applicants and a 27 percent increase in the number of males accepted into its nursing college, said Dani Eveloff, recruitment coordinator, UNMC College of Nursing. In the graduate program, the college had a 75 percent increase of male applicants with male admissions remaining stable after a 75 percent increase from 2001, she said.
Out of about 900 students, 60 are males – not a large number – but one that’s increasing, Eveloff said.
She believes the increase is due to publicity about the nursing shortage and more marketing and advertising targeted toward males and minorities.
 |
The College of Nursing held a variety of Nurses Week activities, including an informal reception at the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division. Here, Lincoln Division faculty members Elizabeth Willborn, left, and Bunny Pozehl, Ph.D., participate. Photo by Ryan Cole. |
At the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division last fall, eight males entered their first year of nursing school – the most males the division has seen in one semester. Opportunity and flexibility are common reasons for choosing nursing, as well as influences by family or friends in nursing.
Daniel Gillen was a business major when he developed an interest in science and medicine. “I thought nursing was the best path that will give me the most options. There are so many paths you can take,” said the 21-year-old who previously worked in retail and detailing cars.
As a biochemistry major, Matthew Dunagan worked in a research lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But, his experience as a radiology aide at a Lincoln hospital got him interested in nursing. Now, he’s leaning toward critical care nursing. “I like the hands-on aspect of the job,” he said. “Nurses have quite a bit of responsibility.”
Former carpenter Martin Spohn was drawn to nursing because of the job flexibility he’s observed in his wife and mother, who are both nurses. “I don’t feel nursing should be a traditionally female role,” he said. “We need more males in nursing.”
The character of the nursing class is different with males in the class, said Missy Fleck, assistant professor of nursing, UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division.
“Men in nursing add a great dimension to the profession and it helps break down the gender barrier,” Fleck said. “Sometimes they have a different outlook toward nursing which challenges me to think broader as a teacher. In some clinical situations, I have to think differently about my teaching strategies. It’s exciting and challenging. That’s what I love about teaching.”
Zemas Sedricks had a biology background and was working as a certified medication aide in a group home when he decided nursing would be a good fit. “I wanted to find a career with better opportunities,” said Sedricks, who was influenced by his wife and other relatives who are nurses.
Sedricks said he doesn’t feel the pressure of being a male in a traditionally female profession, but likes the fact there are a large number of males in his class. “We have kind of a critical mass,” he said. “You feel like you have a bit more support with eight of the 35 being males.”
Matthew Gartner, 21, of Sioux Falls, S.D., comes from a family of nurses so it seemed a natural career path. His mother, father and sister are nurses and hold a variety of nursing jobs in Sioux Falls. “Many people who know me have said I’d be a good nurse,” Gartner said.