As exam results hit mats around the country, Duncan Burton, the first man to hold the post of chief nursing office for England, has called on more male students to consider a career in nursing.
NHS England has used the annual opportunity to promote courses to those still considering their options to this year focus on men, in particular.
“I became a nurse because I wanted to help people and provide the very best care, and I still love being a nurse”
Duncan Burton
Given the ongoing recruitment and retention problems affecting nursing courses in England, NHS leaders have identified the half of the population less often linked with profession as the answer.
Traditionally, around 10 of nurses in the UK are men, but Mr Burton called on male students not to be put off by “outdated stereotypes” about nursing.
NHS England cited latest figures showing around one in eight of the nurses and health visitors working in the NHS were male, just under 47,300 men compared to nearly 321,200 women.
Speaking as exam results are revealed across the country, Mr Burton shared his experience of how rewarding he said the profession could be for both men and women.
His appeal follows moves earlier week by the government to try and prove its commitment to supporting newly qualified nurses and midwives against a background of job shortages.
On Monday it launched a ‘graduate guarantee’, which ministers pledged would ensure there were enough positions for every newly qualified nurse and midwife to apply for this year.
The government 10 Year Health Plan, published last month, also set out several measures designed to appeal to existing and potential student nurses and midwives
It promised extra support would be provided for students, with travel expenses reimbursed faster and he process of confirming course completion sped up so that new nurses could start work sooner.
Mr Burton said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone getting exam results today and would encourage anyone considering their next steps to consider a healthcare degree.
“I’ve been a nurse for 27 years and it’s been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “I became a nurse because I wanted to help people and provide the very best care, and I still love being a nurse.
“Our workforce should represent the communities we serve, and diverse teams with different perspectives deliver better patient care,” added Mr Burton.
“I’d encourage all students thinking about nursing to take the next step and for any men getting their results today not to be put off by outdated stereotypes.”
Care minister Stephen Kinnock said: “We’ve listened carefully to the concerns of students, and we’re taking action.
“Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we’re breaking down barriers by expanding apprenticeship opportunities and widening routes into nursing and midwifery.
“The NHS is undergoing the most significant transformation since its creation, and we need passionate, dedicated people to be part of that journey. You represent the future of our health service and will be at the forefront of building an NHS that’s fit for the future.”
As part of its charm offensive towards men, the government flagged the careers of father and son Peter and Connor McKiernan.
They work at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) and clinical improvement lead, respectively.
After completing nursing degrees at the University of Central Lancashire within six years of each other, they initially worked side-by-side in the hospital’s emergency department.
Connor subsequently moved into other roles within the hospital, first as a stroke specialist and then beginning his new role in October last year.
Peter, 56, said: “When I first started at the Vic I was the only male nurse in the emergency department. It was a big cultural change from my previous careers in car sales and the army.
“I like to think male nurses challenge the stereotype of what it means to be a strong man by showing the differences mental strength and resilience can make instead of focusing on physical strength.
“Every nurse brings different qualities to the profession,” he said. “Patients come from all walks of life and so it’s important that the workforce that treats them reflects this.”
Meanwhile, Connor was inspired to work in healthcare after he stopped to help victims of a car crash on his way to a university interview, aged 18, for a place on an architecture degree course.
Now 29, he said: “It was a moment that set me in a completely new direction and I started to look into potential healthcare professions. I decided on a career in nursing and have never looked back.
“I’ve been to careers events in schools and think it’s important to show boys that anyone can become a nurse and gender isn’t an issue,” he said.
Although Mr Burton is England’s first male CNO, the devolved nations of the UK have all had men fill the post since the turn of the millennium.
Scotland has had two male CNOs – Paul Martin during 2004-09 and, more recently, Professor Alex McMahon during 2022–24.
Meanwhile, Gareth Howells fulfilled the role of CNO in Wales on an interim basis in 2021, and Martin Bradley did the job in Northern Ireland from 2005 to 2011.
