SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY MALE NURSES IN ISLAMABAD: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study examines the social and professional challenges experienced by male nurses working in Islamabad, particularly at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. Nursing is widely regarded as a caring profession; however, it is traditionally viewed as female-oriented in Pakistani society. Consequently, male nurses often face social stigma, limited recognition, and workplace difficulties. Moreover, existing qualitative research on their lived experiences remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to explore the social challenges faced by male nurses in relation to cultural expectations and public perception and, furthermore, to examine how professional environments influence their job satisfaction and career development. A qualitative descriptive design guided by an interpretivist philosophy was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15–20 male nurses using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key patterns and meanings in participants’ experiences. Thus, the data were analyzed in a systematic and context-sensitive manner. The findings revealed that male nurses experienced social stigma, family pressure, unequal workload, workplace discrimination, and limited professional recognition. Moreover, many participants reported psychological stress and uncertainty regarding career growth. However, strong personal motivation, religious faith, and peer support helped them cope with these challenges. The study concludes that male nurses in Islamabad face interconnected social and professional barriers that affect their identity, well-being, and job satisfaction. Nevertheless, many remain committed to patient care and professional service. Overall, the findings have enhanced understanding of gender-related challenges in nursing within the Pakistani context. It is recommended that healthcare institutions promote gender-sensitive policies, fair task distribution, mentorship programs, and public awareness to support inclusive professional environments.