Resisting gender norms: A qualitative phenomenological study on the reflections of male nursing students about nursing in the context of the pandemic

Background: The recent public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the professional identity of nurses as well as nursing students globally. Gender and its intersections are critical moderators of professional identities.Objectives: The study aimed to elaborate on the reflections of male nursing students in India, about nursing and gendering in nursing, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological exploration was conducted using semi-structured interviews during the March 2021 among seven male nursing students who were purposively selected from a nursing college, Bangalore, South India. Thematic manual analysis as described by Braune and Clarke were used to transcribe the interviews and derive themes and subthemes.Results: The major themes that emerged were; enhanced visibility and professional identity, resisting gender norms in nursing, and reaffirming the decision of choosing nursing.Conclusion: Based on the interviews, we conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed negotiations in the perceived gender positions of male nursing students. We contribute to the existing literature by illuminating how critical situations like the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to resisting gender norms in professional nursing.