
Alumna, WomenLift Health Leadership Journey
Assistant Professor, University of Utah College of Nursing
As a nurse champion, I speak not only for myself but many others in our profession who face both personal and systemic gender bias. Because nursing is still mostly a female profession, how nurses are treated in the healthcare setting typically reflects how women are regarded in the society and culture that is predominantly masculine. For example, the global health workforce comprises more than 70% women, 90% of whom are nurses, and yet women only occupy 25% of leadership roles. The few men in nursing are often discriminated against in the work environment. They are often called upon for more physically-tasking patient care activities since they are presumed stronger; or their career choices and sexuality may be questioned based on gender stereotypes that consider nursing to be a feminine occupation. The poor public perceptions that discern nurses to be less competent than, say, doctors, and other entities such as the media that continues to perpetuate sexual stereotypes of nurses, are also significant contributors to gender bias. When subjected to these gendered, sociocultural, and occupational barriers, nurses are often discouraged from advancing their careers, advocating for equal pay, or seeking professional and leadership development opportunities which would otherwise equip them with the skills to effectively advocate for themselves and for their patients. This is particularly problematic especially given that the lack of representation at the top, at the table and in conference rooms where critical decisions are made can have an impact on individual and population health worldwide. Therefore, programs and initiatives such as WomenLift Health and NTNGI are needed to equip women with the skills that they need to challenge the status quo and speak up for gender balance.