Because of Responsibility: Gender and Nursing Profession

Abstract

The rate of nursesû turnover or intention to leave from the job is still high. This qualitative research aimsto incorporate gender perspectives to explain the nursing profession and the work of nurses. Registered nurses ina province in the northeast region of Thailand participated as key informants for this study. Focus groups andin-depth interviews were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on a genderperspective. Findings revealed four major themes including; meaning, nursing roles, opportunity and access toresources, and unequal relationship.  The research findings suggest that enhancing gender sensitive skills fornurses in order to decrease gender stereotype from unequal relationship is needed. Increasing working time ondirect nursing care is also required. In addition, in teaching and learning, sensitivity on equal relationship ofpower between nursing educators and students as well as between senior and junior students should be enhanced.