許多國家的健康照護體系面臨嚴重護理人力短缺問題,由於男性護理人員僅佔護理人力中極低的比率,因此國際護理協會建議藉由增加男性族群參與護理照護工作以解決護理人力短缺問題。由於護理工作須兼具表達性和工具性的特質者擔任,以上特質何種性別者較能勝任?增加男性族群是否真能改善以上人力短缺之問題?在鼓勵男性護理人員加入之時是否亦應鼓勵女性護理人員省思努力發揮潛能?能在工作上與男性公平競爭,在兩性合作下塑造符合時代潮流的護理新形象?今日以女性爲主之護理專業是否已開拓胸襟,以前瞻性思維接納男性護理人員加入?是否學習具備雙性特質?且將護理專業視爲終身事業加以經營,以提升對專業承諾及表現?本文將由不同之角度加以剖析。
The health-care systems of many countries are currently facing severe nursing shortages. In seeking solutions to this problem, the National Nursing Association has suggested promoting participation in nursing by males and members of ethnic minority groups. Increasingly, nurses must have effective communication skills as well as useful practical knowledge. As male nurses are increasingly accepted into the profession, female nurses should be encouraged to work effectively and productively with their male colleagues. With mutual cooperation, both genders can help shape a united profession over time, conforming to the current trend toward a new image of nursing. Nurses should maintain open minds and forward-looking thoughts regarding the integration of male nurses into the profession. Gender issues in nursing related to the special characteristics of the different sexes should be analyzed, with the understanding that professionalism, commitment, and performance are the primary components of excellence in the nursing field.