Glasgow MSP backs university campaign to get more men into nursing
An MSP has thrown his support behind a university campaign to get more men into nursing.
Glasgow Caledonian University’s #GCUMenRnurses2 social media campaign aims to raise awareness of the issue and break down stereotypes.
The university, where 25% of staff in the nursing and community health department are male, will also take the message around the city’s schools.
John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, visited the institution’s city centre campus and praised the work being done for the campaign.
Mr Mason (pictured, seated) said: “I think GCU’s new social media campaign @GCUMenRnurses2 to encourage more men into nursing is a great idea.
“It’s good to hear they are planning to take that message into schools to help break down those gender stereotypes from a young age.
“Both myself and the wider Economy Committee of the Scottish Parliament are very interested in the gender pay gap and how we can change the idea that men are going into one profession traditionally and women into another.
“I saw first-hand all the amazing work that’s going on around equal opportunities and gender balance, research and enterprise, and heard all about what the university’s doing to widen access for those living in disadvantaged areas and how they reach out to these communities.”
Ucas figures recently suggested a 12% increase in male nursing applicants across Scotland from 370 to 410 this year.
Currently only 8% of 1,844 nursing students at GCU are male but this number is said to be increasing year on year.
Deputy vice chancellor Professor James Miller gave Mr Mason a tour of the university facilities.
The former clinical nurse said: “We were delighted to welcome John Mason to experience GCU’s leading edge simulation facilities used in the teaching of health professionals and to meet some of our 1,800 undergraduate nursing students – the second highest intake in Scotland.
“With my own background in nursing, I was delighted that GCU is playing a leading role in encouraging more men to enter the profession.
“With ground-breaking research, spin-out companies and high calibre graduates, the University generates economic and social benefit worth nearly £1 billion to the UK economy while supporting 14,000 jobs. “
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2019, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Peter Devlin / GCU / PA Wire.
