Nursing students in the stranglehold of gender roles: issues of career choice and professionalism

Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between Hungarian nursing students’ career choices and nursing professionalism in the context of sex and gender roles. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The study, conducted between March 2023 and June 2023, employed a combination of a self-developed questionnaire and validated measurement instruments (Bem Sex Role Inventory 12 – BSRI-12; Nurse Professional Competence Scale – NPC Scale; 10-item Gender Role Beliefs Scale – GRBS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. The sample consisted of 252 BSc nursing students in Hungary (53 males, 199 females). Results: It was found that most students surveyed exhibited feminine traits (n = 84) and adhered to traditional gender roles (n = 132). Statistical analysis demonstrated significant associations between nursing students’ gender roles (p = 0.004), adherence to traditional gender roles (p < 0.000), and levels of nursing professionalism. Notably, an androgynous gender role correlated with heightened nursing professionalism (p < 0.001). Additionally, career choice motivations were influenced by sex, gender role, and individual perceptions of gender roles. Conclusion: A diversity of gender roles which influence individuals’ future careers in nursing was identified. Different motivating factors play a role in male and female nursing students’ career choices, knowledge of which would be useful in student recruitment in order to reduce nursing staff shortages.