Of the 111 newly enrolled nursing students at Chungbuk Health and Science University, 22.5 percent are young men like Yoon. (Image: Yonhap)
CHEONGJU, March 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Yoon Dong-wook is a man on a mission.
A 27-year-old third year nursing student at Chungbuk Health and Science University, Yoon is not only in training to one day be an active professional in the healthcare field, but he is also looking to change the stereotype that the nursing field is a career path only for women.
The young man’s dream of becoming a full-fledged nurse began in his teenage years. Though his initial attempt to apply for nursing study at university ended in failure, Yoon kept his dream alive while working in an administrative position at a major hospital and was eventually accepted to a postsecondary nursing program three years ago.
Figures show that men like Yoon are increasing in number every year. Of the 111 newly enrolled nursing students at Chungbuk Health and Science University, 22.5 percent are male.
According to the Korean Nurses Association, men comprised 7.8 percent of all successful test takers of the national nursing exams in 2013, a figure that rose to 8 percent, 8.7 percent and 9.9 percent in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
And for the first time, the proportion of male nurses that passed the nursing exams surpassed 10 percent last year (10.96 percent).
With more men patrolling the halls as nurses, the hope is that male nurses become a widely accepted part of the healthcare ecosystem.
Yoon, who is a certified nursing assistant, said, “When I used to work part-time at a hospital, the most trying part of the experience was the stereotype people held about men as nurses. Some patients were openly shocked, and when they expressed discomfort, it put me in an awkward and difficult spot.”
With that being said, Yoon is adamant that male nurses are definitely needed.
“Contrary to what some may think, there are actually a lot of physically laborious tasks to do at a hospital,” Yoon said. “There are times when a large-bodied male patient needs to be lifted up to adjust his posture, and there are times when inebriated individuals come to the emergency room and cause havoc.”
Fellow male nurse Kim Yong-hyeon said things are starting to improve for men like he and Yoon. “As time passes, widely held opinions on nurses are gradually changing, so we feel proud.”
Looking fully at ease, Yoon cheerfully said, “Men can also be delicate and warm-hearted. I want to break the stereotype that this is a ‘woman’s job’.” (Image: Yonhap)
Looking fully at ease, Yoon cheerfully said, “Men can also be delicate and warm-hearted. I want to break the stereotype that this is a ‘woman’s job’.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
