Employment Experiences and Career Aspirations of Full-Time Male Postgraduate Nursing Students from the Perspective of Occupational Gender Segregation: A Qualitative Study

Background: In China, male nurses are a "professional gender minority," with highly educated male nursing postgraduates being even rarer. Limited research exists on their clinical experiences. Aim: This study explores male nursing postgraduates' career motivations, employment experiences, and future expectations to inform policy and practice. Methods: Using traditional content analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 male nursing master's/PhD students from seven Chinese provinces (Fujian, Guangdong, etc.), selected via purposive and snowball sampling. Results: Participants (average work experience: 2.46±1.51 years) revealed two key themes: Professional Choice & Attitude: Many entered nursing passively and lacked strong passion, though some pursued further education for career advancement. Work Experiences & Career Expectations: Mixed emotions emerged—negative experiences (e.g., stigma) outweighed positive ones, yet most adapted well in female-dominated teams. Career plans varied, highlighting underutilized potential. Conclusion: Highly educated male nurses remain undervalued in China. Institutions should develop targeted training to leverage their skills and motivation.