Perception of residents of a city in the state of Minas Gerais on male nurses

Abstract

This exploratory qualitative research aims at investigating the perception of Itajubá neighbours on male nurses; identifying the nurses' perception on that community view; identifying the population feelings and perceptions on being cared for by this nursing professional. The research was approved by the Wenceslau Braz Nursing School Research Ethics Committee. The sample consisted of 40 participants, selected through purposive sampling method, and representatives of different population segments. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews recorded and transcribed verbatim. Theoretical and methodological framework was the Social Representation Theory; Collective Subject Discourse was applied for the selection of central ideas and corresponding key expressions from which the subjects' discourse was extracted. The perceptions, views and experiences of the population were diverse and based on gender differences, prejudice, and the wish to succeed in the nursing career. Data reveals that a broad discussion on the subject, led to society as a whole and the nursing professional in particular, is needed.