A healthy minority: Life as a male nurse in China
By Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2015-05-13 19:13:52
Dong Sixin, a male nurse at the Air Force General Hospital, PLA, helps a patient in critical condition turn over on May 11, 2015. As a nurse at the hospital’s Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU), Dong performs this physically-intensive task for patients every two hours. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Editor's Note:
According to chinanews.com, the number of registered nurses in China reached around 2.78 million in 2013, of which male nurses made up less than 2 percent. Male nurses are playing an increasingly important role in China’s healthcare system. Generally they are full of energy, physically stronger and perform well under pressure. However despite their advantages, many have difficulty accepting treatment from a male nurse, especially women who may feel embarrassed in the presence of a man during a physical exam. At the same time, they have advantages in the treatment of men’s diseases and are able to help patients feel more at ease.

Dong collects urine from a bed-ridden patient. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Pictured are photos of the nurses on staff at the Air Force General Hospital’s EICU. There are over 900 nurses on duty, among which no more than 30 are men. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong delivers a patient to the hospital’s pulmonary ward. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong delivers a patient to other nurses in the pulmonary care unit. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong makes adjustments to a bed in a hospital room. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong contacts the family of a patient with abdominal pain after performing emergency treatment on him in the EICU. Photo: Yu Chunhong
Dong accompanies a patient experiencing abdominal pain to an examination room. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong informs a surgeon about the status of an accident victim. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong works a long shift late into the night. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong prepares care schedules for critically ill patients in an EICU office room at midnight. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong prepares a patient for an electrocardiogram in the EICU that experienced a sudden change in his condition around midnight. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Pictured are Dong’s various certificates and graduating class photos. Dong interned at EICU five years ago while a student at Dalian University, Liaoning Province. He decided to continue working at EICU after finishing his internship and began nursing career. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong observes a critically ill patient. His greatest wish is to help save the lives of more people. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong and his colleagues attempt to resuscitate a patient who went into cardiac arrest. The patient passed away. Dong explained he and other healthcare workers at the EICU do their upmost to save patients, alleviate their pain and reduce disability rates. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong waits to catch a bus back home after work. It takes him half an hour to get from the hospital to his apartment. Photo: Yu Hongchun
A colleague pays Dong a visit at his apartment after work. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong explained he has trouble falling asleep at the end of the day due to the tension of his job. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong buys beverages on his way to visit to a colleague. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong enjoys a party at his colleague’s home on his day off. Photo: Yu Hongchun
Dong enjoys a party at his colleague’s home on his day off. Photo: Yu Hongchun