Why Is Nursing Female Dominated? History, Statistics & Workforce Trends (2026)
The healthcare industry has long been powered by women, especially in nursing, the largest profession in healthcare. Today, women make up 88% of the nursing workforce in the United States, making it one of the most female-dominated professions in the country.
Nursing became female-dominated due to historical caregiving roles, the early professionalization of the field by leaders like Florence Nightingale, and long-standing gender norms in healthcare.
While the profession offers meaningful work and strong career opportunities, climbing into leadership roles hasn’t always been easy. Progress is happening, but many women in healthcare still face challenges around advancement, pay equity, and breaking through the glass ceiling.
The History of Female Dominance in Nursing
If you’re a nurse working in a U.S. hospital or clinic today, chances are most of your coworkers are women. Nursing is widely recognized as one of the most female-dominated professions in healthcare, and that trend extends far beyond the United States. But it didn’t start out that way.
When Nursing Wasn’t Female Dominated
In the 1700s, when the first hospitals opened in the United States, many nurses—often called “stewards” —were men. At the time, caregiving in medical settings wasn’t yet seen as women’s work.
That began to change during the Civil War in the 1860s. As male nurses left to fight, there weren’t enough caregivers to meet the overwhelming need. Women stepped in to fill the gap, volunteering in large numbers. What started as a wartime necessity slowly reshaped the profession.
By 1873, the first formal nursing schools opened in the U.S., modeled after training programs inspired by Florence Nightingale. By 1900, women made up roughly 91% of the nursing workforce, a dramatic shift that defined the profession for generations.
The Complicated Role of Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale is often credited as the founder of modern nursing, and many assume she pushed for nursing to be a women-only profession. The reality is more nuanced.
While Nightingale professionalized nursing education and elevated standards of care, she did not advocate for excluding men. In fact, she believed men were well-suited for battlefield nursing and recognized male caregivers as equals in many contexts. The gender imbalance that followed wasn’t the result of a single person; it was shaped by broader cultural forces.
Policies That Pushed Men Out of Nursing
In the early 20th century, institutional decisions reinforced the idea that nursing was “women’s work.” When the U.S. Army Nurse Corps reorganized in 1901, men were banned from serving, a restriction that lasted until 1955. Many civilian nursing schools also refused admission to male students. It wasn’t until a 1981 court ruling that nursing programs were legally required to accept men. By then, the perception of nursing as a female profession was deeply ingrained.
Gender Roles and the Image of the “Ideal Nurse”
Since the late 1800s, nursing has been closely tied to socially constructed gender roles. Nurses were portrayed as gentle, humble, nurturing, and obedient — traits historically labeled as feminine.
This portrayal shaped public perception and influenced who felt “welcome” in the profession. Men entering nursing often faced stereotypes or questions about their career choice. Meanwhile, the belief that women are “naturally” better caregivers reinforced the idea that nursing was simply an extension of traditional female roles. But research shows little evidence that empathy, communication skills, or caregiving ability are determined by gender.
Caregiving Expectations and Cultural Norms
Beyond the workplace, caregiving responsibilities have historically fallen on women. Women are more likely to care for aging parents and family members, and society often frames empathy and compassion as female traits.
As these cultural expectations blended with professional opportunities in healthcare, nursing became one of the most accessible and socially accepted careers for women — especially during times when other professions were closed to them.
Why Nursing Is Still Female Dominated Today
The combination of wartime necessity, institutional policies, education access, and long-standing gender norms explains why nursing became, and remains, female dominated. While the gender gap is narrowing as more men enter the field, women still make up most of the nursing workforce.
Understanding this history helps explain not only why nursing is female dominated, but also how the profession continues to evolve.
Nursing Workforce Statistics for 2025
Understanding the current makeup of the nursing workforce helps explain why nursing remains a female-dominated profession and where opportunities for growth exist.
Overall Workforce Size
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2025, there will be over 4 million registered nurses (RNs) employed in the United States. The demand for nurses is expected to grow 9% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Gender Breakdown
Women continue to make up about 88% of registered nurses, while men represent roughly 12% of the workforce. Gender representation varies slightly by specialty, with men more commonly working in CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) and ICU/critical care nursing roles.
Nursing By Specialty
Specialty | % Female | % Male | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
General RNs | 88% | 12% | Largest Segment |
Nurse Practitioners | 83% | 17% | Women Dominate Primary Care |
CRNAs | 60% | 40% | More Gender-Balanced |
ICU and Critical Care | 75% | 25% | Slightly Higher Male Representation |
Surgical Nursing | 80% | 20% | Mostly Female but Men Increasing |
Why Flexible Healthcare Models Attract Women
For many women in healthcare, the job isn’t just about patient care; it’s about balancing life both inside and outside the hospital. Flexible nursing shifts make a huge difference in meeting these real-world demands.
Childcare Realities: Many nurses juggle family responsibilities alongside long shifts. Flexible schedules and part-time or PRN opportunities make it possible to care for children without sacrificing a career.
Burnout: Nursing is rewarding but demanding. High patient loads, long hours, and emotional labor can lead to burnout. Flexible work arrangements allow nurses to take control of their schedules and prioritize self-care, reducing stress and improving job satisfaction.
Schedule Control & Shift Flexibility: Being able to choose shifts that fit your life — whether mornings, evenings, or weekends — helps women manage both personal commitments and professional growth. This kind of control makes healthcare careers more sustainable in the long term.
PRN Work & Per Diem Options: Many women turn to PRN positions for the ultimate flexibility. PRN roles allow nurses to pick shifts, maintain income, and gain experience across different settings — all without the constraints of a traditional full-time schedule.
This is where platforms like ShiftMed come in. ShiftMed connects healthcare professionals with flexible nursing and allied health opportunities, giving you the power to choose shifts that fit your life, reduce burnout, and take control of your career, all while continuing to make a real impact on patients’ lives.
The Need for More Gender Diversity in Healthcare Leadership
While women dominate the nursing workforce, they are still underrepresented in healthcare leadership roles. This underrepresentation means fewer women are at the table making decisions that directly affect patients’ care and women’s health.
For example, men hold about 85% of CEO roles in healthcare organizations, and studies show that 14% of the world’s most influential companies had no female board members. Even among executive teams, only a tiny fraction has more female than male leaders.
Research also shows that companies with gender-balanced boards are more likely to have gender-balanced executive teams, highlighting how women support and elevate one another into leadership roles.
Nursing Leadership Opportunities
If you’re a nurse looking to move into leadership, there are plenty of paths to make an impact:
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Healthcare Administrator
Director of Nursing
Clinical Nurse Manager
Director of Patient Care Services
Nursing Care Coordinator
Nursing Shift Supervisor
Nurse Educator
Finding a mentor and building strong professional relationships is key. Research the qualifications you need and plan for additional education or experience. Many nurses take advantage of discounted tuition programs. For instance, ShiftMed partners with OpusVi to provide special pricing on select courses for nurses pursuing leadership roles.
Breaking Glass Ceilings in Healthcare
Moving into leadership positions, historically dominated by men, takes persistence, planning, and a willingness to challenge norms. It means gaining experience, pursuing education, and stepping into roles that stretch your skills.
But if you’re a nurse, you’re already a leader. Every time you advocate for your patients or collaborate with your team, you’re shaping healthcare. Many women before you have succeeded in these roles — and you can too. Let their stories inspire you as you chart your own path.
FAQs About Gender in Nursing
Why are most nurses women?
Nursing became female dominated due to a mix of history, culture, and social expectations. During the Civil War, women stepped in as caregivers when men were unavailable. Over time, nursing schools and workplace policies favored female enrollment, and societal norms associated caregiving with women. These factors combined to make nursing one of the most female-dominated professions.
Is nursing still female dominated?
Yes. Women continue to make up most of the nursing workforce, with roughly 80–88% of registered nurses in the U.S. being female. While more men are entering the profession, women still dominate most clinical nursing roles.
What percentage of male nurses are there?
Male nurses currently make up about 12–20% of the nursing workforce in the United States. Their numbers are growing gradually, particularly in specialized fields and leadership positions, helping to narrow the gender gap.
Will nursing become more gender balanced?
The gender gap in nursing is slowly narrowing as more men enter the profession and stereotypes evolve. Flexible work options, educational opportunities, and increased awareness of diversity in healthcare are all helping make nursing more inclusive for everyone.
How can women advance into healthcare leadership roles?
Although nursing is female dominated, women remain underrepresented in leadership. Nurses can advance by seeking mentors, pursuing leadership education, and gaining experience in management roles. Programs like ShiftMed’s partnership with OpusVi offer discounted courses to help nurses develop the skills needed to move into leadership positions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Gender Diversity in Healthcare
Healthcare leadership is slowly becoming more gender-balanced, but there’s still work to do. Nursing’s female dominance presents a unique opportunity: women in the workforce are positioned to reshape policies, influence care standards, and redefine leadership. By supporting one another, pursuing leadership opportunities, and embracing flexible career paths, women in healthcare can continue to drive meaningful change.