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i know this is long...but i would appreciate feedback! i am a nursing student planning on writing a paper about males in nursing. i am female dating a "male nurse" and i've experienced some prejudices that people have regarding his career choice. this topic interests me especially since i've gained insight on perceptions about being a male in nursing and the issues that men face in this career. i've also noticed some degree of gender bias in my classes and have gotten feedback from the male nursing students about how they feel that their experiences in school are somewhat different from those of female students. i'm focusing on the gender bias that males face in nursing school as well as the development and perpetuation of certain stereotypes. thomas schwarz rn wrote an article in the ajn stating he feels that male recruiting campaigns, such as one that has the slogan, "nursing...a real career for real men," strengthen stereotypes. he says that he does not let anyone refer to him as a "male nurse" and feels that people should not label nurses in this way (schwarz 2006). another article addressing discrimination in nursing education discusses the fact that the history of nursing taught in schools focuses on the contributions of women and tends to disregard those of men. this article by ann strong anthony msn, rn discusses a more complete history of nursing, "the male experience" in nursing school, and methods to reduce gender bias in nursing school. she also states that men often feel they have to be "extra professional" and that studies have found that "male nursing students perceive a need a need to develop their own way of expressing/demonstrating caring that support their self view as men" (anthony 2004). i have a few questions and would appreciate all the responses i can get. 1) do you feel that efforts to recruit males reinforce stereotypes? 2) have you been referred to or heard a person referred to as a "male nurse"? if so, how do you feel about it? 3) do you feel that experiences for men in nursing school are different from those of female students? 4) do you feel that you have experienced prejudice or have been treated differently in any way because you are male in nursing? 5) any other input you may have would be helpful! thanks, brittany anthony, ann strong msn, rn. gender bias and discrimination in nursing education: can we change it? nurse educator. 29(3):121-125, may 2004. schwarz, thomas rn. i am not a male nurse: recruiting efforts may reinforce a stereotype. ajn. 106(2):13, february 2006.