Table 3 Themes and sub-themes of social and cultural challenges in nursing

1. Gender-segregated profession

•Less acceptance or opportunities for male nurses

•Only feminine profession

2. Inappropriate portrayal in media

•Low profile professional as subordinate to doctors

•Portraying in caring role but not skillful professionals

3. Issues around marriage settlement

•Rejection, leave job or hide identity for marriage proposal

•Second class citizen belongs to less educated families

4. Identity from religious perspective

•Touching male clients in caring work makes nurses impure

•Concept of seclusion of women from the sight of male