The Ohio University chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing aims to build an inclusive environment for male nurses in healthcare.
The AAMN was founded in 1971 in Michigan, and now hosts an annual national conference, sponsors scholarships and is a prominent voice in the encouragement of men in nursing.
The national chapter of AAMN aims to strengthen the nursing profession and advance men’s health through leadership and collaboration. Some of the chapter’s values include stewardship, integrity and innovation.
Ronald Vance, an associate professor of nursing,
Ronald Vance, an associate professor of nursing, is involved not only in the campus chapter of the AAMN but also in AAMN’s national chapter.
Vance works on the committee for the national chapter’s annual conferences. Vance said some of the values of the organization he looks towards are inclusivity and encouraging men in nursing.
“We also have a focus of creating a more inclusive environment for nurses, and also promoting men in nursing,” Vance said. “From when I first started nursing 30 plus years ago, there was very few guys in nursing. I didn’t really know men that were in nursing. My mom was a nurse.”
Vance said he hopes the club also provides networking opportunities.
I’ve gotten to know some great people,
“I’ve gotten to know some great people, and for me, it’s been a great networking opportunity,” Vance said. “I hope as the student chapter grows, their interest grows and they find it as a way to network as well.”
Nursing students of any gender looking to network may find opportunities through OU American Association for Men in Nursing to connect with nurses locally and nationally.
Kason Bauer, a senior studying nursing, is founder and president of the OU American Association for Men in Nursing. Bauer said the chapter focuses on men in health fields, but is open to anyone looking to join or support.
What it entails for the campus specifically
“What it entails for the campus specifically is our main thing is to promote men’s health,” Bauer said. “It’s not just a club for men, anybody’s welcome to join. It promotes men’s nursing across the nursing and the pre-med and the medical workforce.”
This is the second year since OUAAMN has been established as an official student organization. Bauer said the organization has involvement with other OU campuses, including Chillicothe, Lancaster and Zanesville.
Bauer said the organization is finding ways to get involved on campus.
“Even though we’re still a newer organization, relatively speaking, we’ve been able to do a lot and volunteer a lot,” Bauer said. “Help out with other organizations, and really accomplish what we wanted to do, which was help out a lot of student nurses.”
In the United States, men make up 12.7%
In the United States, men make up 12.7% of registered nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The organization aims to create a space for men in the field to empower one another.
Joshua Guy, a senior studying nursing, serves as vice president of OUAAMN. Guy said it is important to have a mix of men in the nursing field.
“When I first got into nursing school, I was the only male on the floor,” Guy said. “Being able to have the platform to promote getting more men in the field is super important because I think it’s a good field for men to be in, and I feel like it’s something very important to nursing as a whole.”
For those interested in getting involved in OUAAMN,
For those interested in getting involved in OUAAMN, the group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. over Teams. Information can be found on the club’s Instagram.
The OUAAMN is always welcoming anyone, regardless of gender, to join the chapter. The club is also looking to include students from regional campuses.
“I try to always tell other students we’re not just for guys, we’re also supportive of all genders,” Vance said. “So if you have an interest in creating an inclusive environment for nurses, if you have an interest in men’s health, this would be the group for you.”
