Potential for misinterpretation: An everyday problem male nurses encounter in inpatient rehabilitation

Aims This study aims to report on the everyday concern of the ‘potential for misinterpretation’, which was the basic social problem revealed in a grounded theory study exploring male nurse practice in inpatient rehabilitation in Australia. Background Male nurses account for approximately 10% of nursing workforce across western countries and they practice in a range of clinical areas; however, how they practice in inpatient rehabilitation remains unexplored. Methods Constructivist grounded theory was used in this study and was conducted in two phases: (i) involved semi‐structured interviews with 11 male nurses from October 2013 to June 2014 and (ii) observation of practice of 12 male nurses and semi‐structured interviews with male nurses and 15 patients from February to April 2015. Results Nurse participants encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies about male nurses. Patients perceived nursing to be women's work and that male nurses are sexual threats. These two intersecting ideologies created a concern for male nurses working in inpatient rehabilitation and that concern was labelled 'potential for misinterpretation'. Conclusion Gender stereotypes impacted on the ability of male nurses to practise nursing in inpatient rehabilitation. Male nurses were mindful on a daily basis that misinterpretation could, and did, happen in inpatient rehabilitation. Summary statement What is already known about this topic? Male nurses work in a range of specialties. Male nurses across many specialties commonly find the provision of nursing care requiring touch to be problematic. Nursing practice in inpatient rehabilitation is reported from a gender neutral or female perspective. What this paper adds? Male nurses encountered the intersection of two pervasive patient ideologies ‘nursing is perceived as women's work’ and that ‘male nurses are perceived as sexual threats’. These two intersecting ideologies lead to the ‘potential for misinterpretation’ for male nurses. Men were mindful that misinterpretation could happen at any time which influenced their ability to practise nursing. The implications of this paper: The 'potential for misinterpretation' is useful for nurses and others to understand a main concern male nurses encounter in inpatient rehabilitation. Research can inform nurse education providers about gaps in nursing curricula with regards to male nurse practice. Rehabilitation service providers can use this research to support and inform male