Women have made great strides in the last 50 years towards occupational equality. They are involved in every sector of the economy, from construction to healthcare professions. Women are no longer perceived as intellectually inferior, and many have the same opportunities as men for advancement and elite positions. Despite this progress, women remain at a disadvantage in the workplace. Men are paid higher salaries for the same position. Pay equity is an international issue, and nurses in the United States are not immune to this trend.

Occupational Segregation

The topic of occupational segregation is making headlines around the world. In a time when women are considered to be equal members of the workforce, these gendered distinctions come as a shock. In the world's developing countries, women are poorly represented in the political and economic sectors. Studies have shown in sectors where women are the majority of workers, they are on average paid less than women in other occupations. This is positive news for the male minority in nursing, but is nonetheless

Pay Equity

Pay equity is another gendered issue in the workforce. In the developed world where women are major economic and political contributors, they are on average paid less than a man of equal education and experience. While this is not a new development by any means, these distinctions are creating major gendered complexities in hospitals. According to studies in the European Union, women are paid approximately 79% of a man's wage. As well, the same study suggested the greater the number of women in a specific profession, the less their rate of pay.

Equal Opportunity

Equal opportunity is being hindered in the work place through either direct or indirect discrimination. Male and female nurses competing for jobs and promotions may find that male nurses have a distinct advantage. As the male nursing population grows, the study on this particular subject delves deeper, exposing intriguing trends among nurses. Male nurses who separate themselves from the feminine aspects of nursing and who emphasize masculine qualities are often promoted ahead of women and placed in specialty and administrative positions. Interestingly, it has been suggested that women subconsciously promote male nurses careers through nurturing, often being so 'caring' that they neglect their own aspirations while propelling their co-workers' careers.

The cultural and social stereotypes of men can push them into striving for positions of authority within their chosen careers. Men are often over represented even though they are a minority. Male nurses tend to have a different relationship than women with physicians, patients, and co-workers. If male nurses play their cards right, they are more likely to be promoted over a female co-worker, and they continue to strive for elite positions.

The healthcare system is deeply patriarchal, where males are in supervisory and management positions. These executives continue to call the shots and nurses struggle to have their voices heard. In order to move out of this model, women have some serious work to do. Nurses are sometimes not as authoritative and compelling in their knowledge as the doctors and administrators they work beside. This is not to suggest nurses are not knowledgeable, but their position is often subordinated. Several decades of feminist thought and activism has not leveled the playing field for women, or even in female dominated professions. Unfortunately, women struggle to gain recognition and rewards commensurate with their male counterparts

The 'nature of things' within the healthcare system is unlikely to change, according to some writers, because there is too much at stake if these gendered relations are altered. Femininity is looked over in favour of masculine qualities, causing these gender distinctions in the first place. Men will not change the status quo as they receive certain privileges and status because of their masculinity. Why change something that works in your favour? Ridding the hospital of gender distinctions is a necessary step to ensuring fairness in the work place.

Similarly, women in the nursing profession are less likely to fight against the masculine advantage due to the history of nursing and women's role in the healthcare system. Traditionally speaking, men have worked as physicians, specialists, and held positions of authority over female nurses. The existing view of nurses in a subordinate position is only reinforcing this traditional model. Females perceive themselves as fitting in a “helping” position rather than an elite position simply because that has been the customary order for years. History and tradition continues to play a major role in the gendered distinctions in the workplace, even today.

Of course, men in nursing are not given an easy ride. Sometimes fighting for respect, they are excluded from working in areas that might make females uncomfortable. Some nurses have described past instances when they were refused access to delivery rooms, and not given preference to work in the nursery or even with female patients. This is not as common today as it was in the 1960s, and fortunately as society relieves itself of these gendered stereotypes, we will see greater equality in the workplace.

The future is unknown when it comes to gendered distinctions within the nursing profession. As more males enter this career, these roles may change significantly. The reward of masculine or feminine qualities among nurses may shift as women continue to make strides in the work force.

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