title: Factors influencing men entering the nursing profession, and understanding the challenges faced by them: Iranian and developed countries' perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Men entering the nursing profession have been investigated from several different perspectives. Due to male gender characteristics and existing public image, nursing is often not considered as a career choice by men. Whether nursing would benefit from increased number of men is a key question in the literature. The purpose of this integrative review of the literature was to identify factors influencing men to enter the nursing profession. In addition, it sought to understand the challenges they are confronted within this profession.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of the existing literature was performed using an Internet search with broad keywords to access related articles in both Persian and English databases. Finally, 34 studies (written between 2000 and early 2013) were selected and surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the studies were conducted in developed counties. The review identified reasons why males choose nursing, and other challenges facing men entering and working in nursing. Themes that emerged from the literature include educational and societal barriers experienced by men in nursing, recruitment, career choice, and role strain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding men's influences on professional development, and also the importance of gender-based caring, policies for recruitment and retention of men in nursing must be followed hastily. However, there is a need for further research regarding the challenges faced by men entering nursing, in both Iran and other developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zamanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Negarandeh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran ; Department of Nursing, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Arman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azadi
keywords: Gender Identity; Iran; Nurses, Male; Nursing; Review