Adaptation Experiences of Male Students in Nursing Education Programs: A Meta-synthesis Study / 한국간호교육학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to integrate and synthesize findings from qualitative studies exploring male students' experiences of adapting to nursing education programs so as to obtain further understanding of the phenomenon. METHODS: The meta-synthesis process was primarily guided by Noblit and Hare's approach, which consists of four stages including searching, appraisal of an individual study's quality, data extraction for analysis, and meta-synthesizing the results. RESULTS: Findings from the literature reviewed were synthesized into six themes 1) extraordinary choice based on job stability and gender scarcity; 2) unexpected feeling of marginalization as minority far apart from the mainstream; 3) assimilation and negotiation for relational adaptation through perspective shift; 4) fortifying the vision and identity as nursing students by meaning making for adapting to the nursing major; 5) mutual support among colleague male students; and 6) serving in the military as way of hiding out and achieving maturation. CONCLUSION: The findings illustrate that nursing education programs need practical changes promoting male students' adaptation to the program itself as well as preparation to be a professional nurse in the future.