Vanderbilt University Medical Center male nurses have formed the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN), which has just been recognized as an official chapter by the AAMN.
The AAMN’s mission, according to the organization, is “to shape the practice, education, research and leadership for men in nursing and advance men’s health.”
All are welcome to the Middle Tennessee chapter’s next quarterly meeting, which will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the second-floor theater of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. To attend virtually, visit here or email aamnmiddletn@gmail.com for more information.
The Middle Tennessee chapter includes members from VUMC and Belmont School of Nursing in addition to an existing AAMN student chapter at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. The group is working to recruit members from Vanderbilt and non-Vanderbilt medical facilities and area schools of nursing throughout Middle Tennessee. Membership is open to any nurse, care partner or medical assistant in Middle Tennessee, male or female.
Jeremy Crawford, MMHC, BBA, RN, NE-BC, president of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of AAMN and senior associate in Nursing at Monroe Carell, said the chapter has a threefold mission: to improve men’s health; to create a community that supports male nurses; and to help create a pipeline of advancement for potential male nurses.
“We want all males to know that nursing is a great option for their careers,” he said. “By raising awareness and putting a support structure in place, we are paving the way for the next generation of male nurses.”
About 10% of VUMC’s nurses are male, and the Medical Center has long been a leader in recruiting and retaining male nurses. Crawford said the idea to create a Middle Tennessee chapter originated when a delegation of Vanderbilt’s male nurses attended the 2022 AAMN conference in Orlando, Florida, where VUMC was recognized with a Best Workplace for Men in Nursing award.
VUMC has been recognized four times with the award, the latest in October 2023. Criteria for the award included recruitment materials featuring men in nursing, strategic plans to increase gender diversity, historical evidence demonstrating an increase in the number of men in nursing and evidence of male nurse involvement. Among Vanderbilt’s gender-inclusive policies is the parental leave policy that allows new fathers, in addition to mothers, to receive two weeks of paid parental leave. Nursing recruitment materials are inclusionary of males.
Making Diversity and Inclusion Intentional is one of VUMC’s three strategic directions, along with Design for Patients and Families, and Discover, Learn and Share. Increasing diversity in all aspects of the workforce benefits team performance and patient care. Vanderbilt’s male nurses continue to be regularly recognized with institutional awards, including The DAISY Award, Five Pillar Leader Award and Credo Award. Male nurses hold leadership roles throughout the enterprise, including chairing or co-chairing dozens of unit boards.
“The Middle Tennessee chapter of the AAMN is an exciting addition to the local nursing community,” said Marilyn Dubree, MSN, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, Executive Chief Nursing Officer. “I look forward to the opportunities this provides to bring more diverse experiences and perspectives to serve patients and families. As always, I am proud to stand with our men in nursing.”