Doctoral Dissertation Defense: Lagosz

Factors that Contribute to Men Nursing Student Persistence

 in Associate Degree Nursing Programs 

 

Monday, May 2, 2022

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Zoom: https://zoom.us/my/karlaloya  (Password: EDD)

 

Dissertation Defense by

John F. Lagosz

 

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the factors that contributed to men nursing student persistence in associate degree nursing programs. Current and anticipated shortages of registered nurses and the call to increase gender diversity within nursing require nursing programs to increase the number of men graduates (Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2019; NLN, 2016; Raso et. al., 2021). Men in nursing education experience barriers related to entering a predominately female profession that affected their abilities to persist (Christensen & Knight, 2014; O’Lynn, 2004). There is a gap in the literature on the factors that contribute to men nursing student persistence in associate degree nursing programs. The aim of this study was to discover and these factors through participants’ lived experiences. 

The men in this study identified the challenges they encountered in nursing education and, yet more importantly, how they overcame those challenges. Data were analyzed and eight themes emerged: (a) goal commitment, (b) time management, (c) utilization of resources, (d) self-care, (e) gender and maintaining a positive outlook, (f) relationships, (h) faculty support, and (i) financial support. Findings from this study will be able to guide administrators, nursing faculty, and institutional partners to tailor supports specific to men nursing students in efforts to increase their persistence.

John Lagosz is a Professor of Nursing at Capital Community College in Hartford Connecticut and a registered nurse for 30 years. He holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a focus on education from the University of Hartford; Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Nursing from the University of Hartford; and received his Diploma of Nursing from the Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, CT.