Male Nursing Students Reflect on
Their First Semester
By Leo Gabriel Ramos , Kevin Savage , Ronald Koller , Brandon Davis , and Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos
Fostering a diverse nursing workforce and promoting gender diversity within the nursing profession is integral to cultivating a more inclusive healthcare environment . The U . S . witnessed a historic high of 13.3 % male nurses in 2021 , though there was a slight dip to 12.1 % in 2022 ( U . S . Bureau of Labor Statistics , 2022 ). Despite this national trend , schools of nursing have consistently upheld an impressive representation of male nursing students within their programs .
As first-year male nursing students , we are eager to share our experiences upon concluding our initial semester at Rutgers University School of Nursing .
Question 1 :
Why did you choose to become a nurse ?
Leo Gabriel Ramos ( LGR ): I chose to pursue a career in nursing because of my mother . I have always known that I wanted to be in the healthcare field but never could pinpoint exactly what I wanted to do . When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the world shut down , the commitment of healthcare workers remained steady . My mom , a women ’ s health nurse practitioner , continued to show up to work and provide care to her patients in Philadelphia . Witnessing her risk her health and safety for others was an inspiring act of sacrifice that I hope to replicate in my own life and career .
Kevin Savage ( KS ): Several factors motivated my decision to enroll in the nursing program . Admittedly , nursing was not my initial choice , but I am happy and grateful for my decision to join the fast-paced accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program . My motivation came from family members
who are nurses , specifically my uncle who is a successful nurse . He shares stories with me and recounts his love for the profession . Additionally , I am attracted to the dynamic nature of this profession , with numerous specialties and opportunities for me to advance my education .
Ronald Koller ( RK ): My journey of choosing to become a nurse was not straightforward as this will be my second bachelor ’ s degree , with the first being a BS in biochemistry from Rowan University . I was certain that I wanted to work in healthcare , but I did not know where my skills would best fit . Ultimately , my decision to pursue nursing was solidified through hands-on experience working alongside an amazing group of nurses in the emergency department and having the unwavering support of my family .
Brandon Davis ( BD ): Before college , my career path was
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