Exploring the career trajectories of male nursing leaders: a qualitative study on leadership acquisition

Nursing has historically been a female-dominated profession; however, the increasing presence of male nurses in management and leadership roles has attracted increasing scholarly and institutional attention. This qualitative study explores the career trajectories of male nurse managers and the key enablers that support their progression into formal leadership positions within a gendered professional context. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to conduct semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 nursing managers. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling in a high-level tier hospital in China. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method for descriptive phenomenology. Four core themes emerged: early systematic career planning, solid clinical expertise, effective mentor support, and strategies to navigate gendered work environments. These were refined into 10 subthemes: clarifying leadership intent early; accumulating leadership-relevant experiences deliberately; building credibility through high-standard practice; clinical expertise enabling leadership behaviors; demonstrating capability during critical incidents; early guidance on career direction and role fit; Skill development through mentorship; managing stereotypes and expectations about male nurses; building collaborative relationships in female-majority teams; and balancing visibility with legitimacy in leadership roles. This study offers practical and theoretical insights for fostering male nurse leadership. Health institutions should institutionalize mentorship, provide early career-planning support, and cultivate inclusive environments to advance diversity and equity in nursing leadership.