Male nurses face stigma but earn 24% more than women: Study
New Delhi: Nursing continues to be viewed as a “female profession,” leading to occupational segregation and stigma for male nurses. However, despite their underrepresentation in the field, male nurses tend to earn more than their female counterparts, according to a new study published in the BMJ and cited by The New Indian Express.
The study reveals a 24% gender pay gap in nursing, with men consistently earning more than women on average, despite women forming the majority of the global nursing workforce.
While the demand for nurses is expected to grow, driven by ageing populations and a rise in chronic illnesses, the study stresses that addressing the gender imbalance is vital. “Empowering nurses is not just about tackling workforce shortages, it is also about unleashing the full potential of a profession that is central to realising universal health coverage for all,” the study noted.
“In India, male nurses are concentrated more in certain specialities, such as emergency departments and ICUs, with limited access or discouragement in other areas, including obstetrics and paediatrics, due to patient comfort and gender appropriateness,” TNIE quoted Dr Preeti Kumar, lead author of the study and Vice President, Health Systems, at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), as saying.
India is projected to have 2.74 million nurses and midwives by 2030, but only 1.4 million are expected to be actively working within the health system. The current nurse-to-population ratio stands at 1:670, significantly below the WHO’s recommended ratio of 1:300.
To improve male participation in nursing, the study recommends initiatives such as public awareness campaigns, gender-balanced recruitment, educational quotas, and financial support for male students.
India has taken steps to expand its nursing capacity, approving 157 new nursing colleges and producing about 15,700 nursing graduates annually.
Quoting the 2025 report on the state of the world’s nursing from the WHO and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the study warns that most low- and middle-income countries are unlikely to meet their healthcare workforce goals by 2030. One major challenge is the migration of nursing professionals to wealthier nations. Around 13% of nurses globally work in countries other than those where they were trained or born.
The study concludes that as digital innovation continues to reshape healthcare, it is crucial that such advancements complement human-centred care.
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RCB beat DC by 9 wickets in IPL
New Delhi (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their impressive run, thrashing Delhi Capitals by nine wickets in their IPL match here on Monday.
Opting to bowl, pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/5) and Josh Hazlewood (4/12) shared seven wickets, while Rasikh Salam Dar (1/21) and Syuash Sharma (1/7) also contributed as RCB bowled out DC for 75 -- lowest score of this season.
For DC, Abishek Porel (30), David Miller (19) and Kyle Jamieson (12) provided some respectability to the total after being reduced to 8 for 6 in 4th over.
In reply, Devdutt Padikkal (34), Jacob Bethell (20) and Virat Kohli (23) completed the chase in 6.3 overs.
Brief Score:
DC: 75 all-out in 16.3 overs (Abishek Porel 30; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/5, Josh Hazlewood 4/12).
RCB: 77 for 1 in 6.3 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 34; Kyle Jamieson 1/42).
