Exploring the World of Male Nursing Students in Maternity Health Nursing Course in Oman: Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Opportunities, and Crafting a New Clinical Placement Strategy
Background: The integration of male nurses into maternal health nursing, especially in culturally conservative regions such as Oman, introduces distinctive challenges and opportunities. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of male nursing students who were undertaking the maternal health nursing curriculum in Oman. Design: A qualitative study was conducted through five focus group interviews spanning five regions (South and North Batinah, North Sharqiyah, Dhahira, and Dakhiliya) in Oman between April and June 2024. Setting: The study was carried out at Oman College of Health Sciences, where male students were enrolled in the Maternity Health Nursing course. Participants: Thirty-five undergraduate nursing students participated in the focus group interviews. Methods: The focus groups utilized a semi-structured interview protocol, and a content analysis was employed to analyze the focus group interview data. Results: The qualitative analysis revealed three primary themes: (i) psychological challenges, (ii) educational/professional challenges, and (iii) the role of the college. Subsequently, a blended-learning teaching approach emphasizing planned, structured activities learning was developed. Conclusions: This study presents, for the first time, findings regarding the experience of male nursing students enrolled in the maternal health nursing course in Oman. Additionally, a proposed improvement plan for the course was suggested.
Cite this paper
Saadi, M. A. and Sigua, M. (2025). Exploring the World of Male Nursing Students in Maternity Health Nursing Course in Oman: Overcoming Challenges, Embracing Opportunities, and Crafting a New Clinical Placement Strategy. Open Access Library Journal, 12, e2333. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112333.
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