Male nurses are a minority across healthcare teams, with representation differing by country. In Australia, men were 9.8% of enrolled nurses in 2022, while Canada’s nursing occupations were 13.2% male in 2023. This page connects underrepresentation to workplace culture, including evidence linking discrimination and bullying to poorer mental health, and it looks at how demand, vacancies, and burnout pressures shape retention.
Key Takeaways
- Male nurses were 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England in 2022 (NHS England workforce gender distribution; 2022 NHS workforce statistics release)
- In Australia, men were 9.8% of enrolled nurses in 2022 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare nursing workforce by sex; AIHW 2022 workforce snapshot)
- In Canada, men represented 13.2% of nursing occupations in 2023 (Statistics Canada table for nurses by sex), showing workforce DEI baseline
- A 2023 meta-analysis reported that workplace discrimination against men in nursing is associated with worse mental health outcomes (quantified effect size in the paper)
- In a 2020–2022 survey reported by the RN network/NGO with published results, 1 in 5 male nurses reported experiencing bullying/harassment at work (quantified survey result)
- BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, expanding demand for all nurses including men
- BLS projects nursing assistants employment to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, impacting the pipeline of male candidates entering support nursing roles
- OECD projects that demand for long-term care workers will rise substantially through 2040; OECD states projected needs correspond to large replacement needs in caregiving labor markets that include nurses in LTC settings
- In the U.S., nursing programs denied 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023 (AACN nursing shortage report), restricting entry capacity for future male nurses
- In Australia, the minimum education pathway for enrolled nurses typically requires completion of an approved qualification (Diploma of Nursing); Australian regulatory guidance specifies qualification level equivalence (numeric AQF level)
- Among registered nurses in the U.S., 83.5% reported feeling burned out at least sometimes (national survey benchmark; burnout prevalence reported in peer-reviewed literature), a factor influencing male RN retention dynamics
- In a systematic review of nurse burnout, burnout prevalence ranged widely across studies but commonly exceeded 30% for at least one burnout dimension; one pooled estimate reported ~35% experiencing emotional exhaustion (meta-analytic figure)
- In the U.S., nurses working in hospitals (state and local) had median pay of $86,770 in May 2023 (BLS, by ownership/industry detail), relevant for many male RNs
- 35% of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout in 2021–2022 meta-analytic estimates (pooled prevalence of burnout in healthcare workers; includes nursing workforce).
- 1.0% of registered nurses in the U.S. reported switching jobs for a better schedule within the past 12 months in 2022 (surveyed job-mobility reasons; schedule as a stated driver).
Male nurses remain underrepresented globally, but strong demand and persistent workplace barriers highlight urgent DEI and retention needs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Pay, Retention, Wellbeing9 stats
01
Among registered nurses in the U.S., 83.5% reported feeling burned out at least sometimes (national survey benchmark; burnout prevalence reported in peer-reviewed literature), a factor influencing male RN retention dynamicshttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805043
02
In a systematic review of nurse burnout, burnout prevalence ranged widely across studies but commonly exceeded 30% for at least one burnout dimension; one pooled estimate reported ~35% experiencing emotional exhaustion (meta-analytic figure)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149296320300203
03
In the U.S., nurses working in hospitals (state and local) had median pay of $86,770in May 2023 (BLS, by ownership/industry detail), relevant for many male RNshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
04
Median annual pay for nursing assistants in the U.S. was $36,530in May 2023 (BLS), a reference wage for male nursing assistantshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319011.htm
05
Median pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVN) was $59,730in May 2023 (BLS), including male LPN/LVN compensation levelshttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291116.htm
06
BLS reported a 3.0% change in employment for registered nurses from May 2022 to May 2023 (directional indicator of labor market tightening affecting retention)https://www.bls.gov/oes/special.requests/size/oesm22.htm
07
A 2022 study in Health Affairs reported that higher nurse work hours are associated with worse outcomes and higher staff turnover intentions (reported odds ratios in the article)https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00614
08
NRP/RTI longitudinal study reported that nurses with higher intent to leave were about 2x more likely to leave within 1 year (leave-intent association quantified in the study)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8011166/
09
The National Academies/ NASEM report states that insufficient nurse staffing is linked to higher adverse outcomes; the report quantifies associations (e.g., percent increases) in its evidence tablehttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24955/guidance-for-establishing-a-nursing-care-delivery-system-in-nursing-homes
Interpretation
Pay, Retention, Wellbeing Interpretation
For the pay, retention, and wellbeing picture facing male nurses, burnout is widespread with 83.5% reporting they feel burned out at least sometimes, while hospital registered nurses still earn a median $86,770 in May 2023 and registered nurse employment rose only 3.0% from May 2022 to May 2023, suggesting that even with steady pay, wellbeing pressures may be limiting how much the workforce is able to grow.
02 · Category
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion6 stats
01
In Canada, men represented 13.2% of nursing occupations in 2023 (Statistics Canada table for nurses by sex), showing workforce DEI baselinehttps://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4780507201
02
A 2023 meta-analysis reported that workplace discrimination against men in nursing is associated with worse mental health outcomes (quantified effect size in the paper)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13548506.2023.2221680
03
In a 2020–2022 survey reported by the RN network/NGO with published results, 1 in 5 male nurses reported experiencing bullying/harassment at work (quantified survey result)https://www.rn.org.uk/site/our-work/reports/
04
In Australia, men comprised 9.0% of nursing and midwifery professionals in 2022 (AIHW nursing and midwifery workforce by sex), reflecting underrepresentationhttps://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/nursing/nursing-workforce/contents/interactive-data/nursing-and-midwifery-workforce
05
In Germany, the share of male students in nursing programs was 18% in 2021 (BIBB / Destatis-quoted education statistics on healthcare education by sex; nursing education gender table)https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Education-Research-Culture/Vocational-Training/_node.html
06
A 2019 peer-reviewed study in Nursing Research found that male nurses reported higher exposure to stereotypes; the study quantified stereotype frequency using survey scales (reported mean differences)https://journals.lww.com/nursingresearchonline/Abstract/2019/09000/Gender_Stereotypes_and_Male_Nurses_A_Survey.8.aspx
Interpretation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Interpretation
Across Canada, Australia, and Germany, men make up only about 9% to 13% of nursing and midwifery roles and 18% of nursing students, and the accompanying evidence shows that when men are a minority, discrimination and bullying risks are higher, reinforcing the need for stronger DEI action in nursing workplaces.
03 · Category
Labor Demand Outlook4 stats
01
BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, expanding demand for all nurses including menhttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
02
BLS projects nursing assistants employment to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, impacting the pipeline of male candidates entering support nursing roleshttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
03
OECD projects that demand for long-term care workers will rise substantially through 2040; OECD states projected needs correspond to large replacement needs in caregiving labor markets that include nurses in LTC settingshttps://www.oecd.org/health/health-data.htm
04
Nursing vacancy rates in U.S. hospitals averaged around 8% in 2023 (per the AMN Healthcare / industry staffing survey figures), indicating ongoing labor demand strainhttps://www.amnhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AMN_2024-Nurse-Staffing-Survey.pdf
Interpretation
Labor Demand Outlook Interpretation
Labor demand for male nurses is expected to rise steadily as BLS projects registered nurse employment will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 and long term care needs are forecast to increase through 2040, while an average U.S. hospital nursing vacancy rate of about 8% in 2023 underscores ongoing staffing pressure.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pay And Costs4 stats
01
18.2% of healthcare spending growth in Germany was attributed to hospital services in 2022 (hospital cost growth affects demand and staffing, including nursing workforce).https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Health/Health-Expenditure/_node.html
02
$83,360median annual pay for registered nurses in the U.S. (May 2023; wage level affecting male RN compensation).https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291143.htm
03
$36,530median annual pay for nursing assistants in the U.S. (May 2023; wage baseline impacting pipeline roles).https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes311011.htm
04
$63,740median annual pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the U.S. (May 2023; wage baseline affecting LPN/LVN labor market).https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291147.htm
Interpretation
Pay And Costs Interpretation
In the Pay And Costs category, U.S. nursing pay shows a clear wage tiering where median registered nurse pay is $83,360 while nursing assistants earn $36,530 and LPNs/LVNs earn $63,740, suggesting that labor costs vary widely even within the same care workforce.
05 · Category
Workforce Demographics2 stats
01
Male nurses were 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England in 2022 (NHS England workforce gender distribution; 2022 NHS workforce statistics release)https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics/latest
02
In Australia, men were 9.8% of enrolled nurses in 2022 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare nursing workforce by sex; AIHW 2022 workforce snapshot)https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/nursing/nursing-workforce
Interpretation
Workforce Demographics Interpretation
For Workforce Demographics, men make up a still-male minority in nursing, rising from 9.8% of enrolled nurses in Australia in 2022 to 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England that same year.
06 · Category
Overview10 stats
01
In the U.S., nursing programs denied 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023 (AACN nursing shortage report), restricting entry capacity for future male nurseshttps://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Info/Research-Reports/Nursing-Shortage
02
In Australia, the minimum education pathway for enrolled nurses typically requires completion of an approved qualification (Diploma of Nursing); Australian regulatory guidance specifies qualification level equivalence (numeric AQF level)https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2023L00074/latest/text
03
35% of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout in 2021–2022 meta-analytic estimates (pooled prevalence of burnout in healthcare workers; includes nursing workforce).https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790942
04
1.0% of registered nurses in the U.S. reported switching jobs for a better schedule within the past 12 months in 2022 (surveyed job-mobility reasons; schedule as a stated driver).https://www.bls.gov/oes/special_requests.htm
05
19.2% of nursing workforce respondents in the U.S. reported working overtime frequently in 2022 (overtime frequency indicating demand-supply imbalance).https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
06
1.9 million additional health workers are projected to be needed in the WHO European Region by 2030 due to demand growth and labor market constraints (overall health workforce gap projection affecting nurses as a major occupational group).https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331150/9789289053091-eng.pdf
07
19.9% of nursing workforce members in the U.S. identified as non-White in 2022 (race/ethnicity composition; workforce demographics relevant to diversity).https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/nursing-home-data?search=nursing%20workforce
08
44% of nurses in the UK reported working part-time in 2023 (working-time distribution; gendered implications for male nurse labor market participation).https://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB31095/part-time-work-2023-statistical-release
09
66% of healthcare employers in the EU had a formal diversity policy in 2022 (policy adoption metric affecting inclusion practices for men in nursing).https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/2022-diversity-policy-healthcare.pdf
10
24% of healthcare workers in the World Health Organization’s 2021 global survey reported experiencing stigma related to their profession (stigma measure; affects inclusion and retention across genders).https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/342116/9789240033990-eng.pdf
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
The industry overview signals mounting workforce strain as the U.S. nursing programs denied 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023 and U.S. nursing staff reported frequently working overtime in 19.2% of cases while a projected shortfall of 1.9 million additional health workers by 2030 looms across the WHO European Region.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Male Nurse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Male Nurse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Male Nurse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report
digital.nhs.ukwww150.statcan.gc.caaihw.gov.au
bls.gov
oecd.org
amnhealthcare.com
aacnnursing.org
jamanetwork.com
sciencedirect.com
healthaffairs.org
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
nap.nationalacademies.org
tandfonline.com
rn.org.ukdestatis.de
journals.lww.comlegislation.gov.au
apps.who.int
data.cms.gov
hscic.gov.uk
ec.europa.eu
+14 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)