title: Gender differences in discipline of nurses in Missouri.
abstract: Analysis of discipline of nurses by the Missouri Board of Nursing, 2000-2003, demonstrated differing rates by gender. Males received disproportionately high rates at 18.9%, although they represented 7.5% of Missouri nurses. Males received more severe discipline than females, with higher rates of license suspension and revocation, regardless of infractions or license level. Males surrendered licenses at higher rates. For 3 of the 28 infractions, males exceeded the number of females by a ratio of 2:1. Males committed one infraction that females did not. For three infractions, females outnumbered males by a ratio of 2:1. Females committed eight infractions not committed by males, including four murders. Consistent with previous studies, substance abuse was the behavior disciplined in the majority of cases (41.3%). Disparity in nurse discipline suggests the need for further study to analyze contributing factors, roles that nursing culture and gendered behaviors may play in the disciplinary process.
authors.affiliation: Missouri State University, Missouri, USA. director@basiccareclinic.com
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sims-Giddens
mesh_terms: D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009727:Nurses, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015399:Nursing Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D028743:Professional Misconduct / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*