These men went to college in search of stable careers. They found it in nursing
Only about 1 in 8 nurses are men, but their share is growing. A strong job market for nurses and sustained efforts to recruit men into the field have made a difference, including in the South.
A growing share of the nursing workforce is male, according to an NPR News report that points to changing job preferences and a strong employment market as part of the reason more men are entering the field.
The report says only about 1 in 8 nurses are men, but that proportion has been rising. It describes nursing as an occupation offering the kind of stability many college students seek, especially at a time when steady work matters to job seekers weighing their options after graduation.
According to the feed summary, efforts to recruit men into nursing have also helped shift the profession’s gender balance. The trend appears to be making an impact in the South as well, where sustained outreach has supported more men choosing nursing careers.
The article highlights a broader labor-market story as much as a workforce one: men who once may have looked elsewhere for dependable employment are now finding that nursing can provide that security. In a field long dominated by women, the steady growth in male participation suggests changing perceptions about the profession and the opportunities it offers.
This report is based on a monitored public feed from NPR News and reflects the information available in that summary.
Source: NPR News - https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/nx-s1-5869813/nursing-men-jobs-male-nurses
