The Pay Gap Between Men and Women in Nursing

Research reported in March 24/31 2015 issue of JAMA has opened a nationwide discussion about the pay inequality in nursing. The study findings indicate that male nurses make on average $5,100 more than their female colleagues. The salary gap existed in all specialties except orthopedics and all positions including management.

 

The study has limitations in that only 7% of the sample were men, and none of the surveys used in the research were originally designed to study pay inequality. No specific reasons for the inequalities were identified. Nursing experts have speculated that men may be better salary negotiators, women may take lower paying positions with more flexibility to raise children, and some organizations may offer higher salaries to male nurses to diversify their workforce. This is the first study published on this topic and more research is clearly needed.

 

Although there may be missing pieces to the puzzle, the research findings provide compelling evidence that there are pay inequalities in nursing. This is a troubling trend in a predominantly female profession long believed to offer equal opportunity to both sexes. The research has resulted in a call to action from leaders in professional nursing associations for hospital leadership to review wage data by gender for employees in equal positions with comparable experience to identify any bias in pay. This is wise advice.

 

By 2020, more than 50% of the nursing workforce will be Generation Y nurses. Current research with this Generation suggests that if they find inequality, they are more likely than any generational cohort that preceded them to leave an organization and seek other opportunities.