Nahed Mousa Saber¹, Rasha El Sayed Ibrahim^1,

Background: Men are entering the field of nursing in increasing numbers. As men enter nursing programs, they may be facing challenges during their training mainly maternity sections. Aim: explore the challenges facing male nursing students during their training in the maternity department and suggest a guideline of actions to overcome these challenges. Methods: A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized, data were collected using three tools: (I) structured interview questionnaire sheet: consisted of demographic data and assessment of male nursing students' experience in clinical training and theoretical course for maternity nursing, and (II) students' attitudes towards clinical training. 91 male students who just finished the clinic maternity course in Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University were recruited for the study. Results: The most embarrassing clinical procedures were the vaginal examination and breast examination but the most favorable was immediate baby care and abdominal examination. Studies sample found that theoretical course was interested in the male. The total mean score for studied male student’s attitudes toward practical training was negative. No significant difference between studied male student’s attitude and rural area and significant difference regarding the urban area. A negative correlation between total teaching activities and practical training scores but there was no correlation between attitude and both teaching activities and practical training scores. Conclusion: Male nursing students should be maintained during nursing students training, as the rate at which males enter the profession is increasing, that by assessing the challenges facing male students nursing in maternity course. Recommendations: male students should be oriented to and encouraged to identify with the role model of male obstetricians.

challenges, male nursing students, maternity training, suggested guidelines for actions