Illinois lacks male nurses

Posted on June 28, 2015

By Connor Boyd

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois may soon face a shortage of registered nurses (RN) as the baby boomer generation is set to retire. Recent surveys also reveal the nursing workforce severely lacks in diversity.

“That particular survey (The 2014 Illinois Registered Nurses workforce survey) looked at nurses in Illinois and of the nurses over age of 55 quite a few of them are looking to retire within the next few years”, said Dr. Katherine Miller of the Mennonite College of Nurses at Illinois State University.

Miller suggested the large role men play in assisting patients.

“Our average within our college is more towards 11 to 13 percent, so a higher percentage. Our male students bring in just really wonderful viewpoints and are just really important members of the nursing community,” said Miller.

The state average for males studying nursing is around 8 percent. Miller added that nurses planned to retire years ago but, due to the poor economic conditions many of them waited to retire.

“Probably five to 10 years ago in repose to: the market, 401 K’s, perhaps spouses being laid off or unemployed, nurses continued to work,” said Miller.

Only seven percent of those 25 years and younger are reported as being male nurses.

Connor Boyd can be reached at [email protected].

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