The participants in this study often articulated profound unselfish concern for other people, particularly the marginalized segments in our society. They expressed repeatedly their desire to make a difference in the health care arena. For Dean George, becoming a nurse was just another avenue to serve the public and provide for his family after leaving his firefighting career. Like Dean George, Dean Roberts also wanted to make a difference when he witnessed how AIDS patients were treated in the 1980s because of the lack of understanding of this disease. Becoming a nurse researcher was a way for him to change that. He had, since that time, became one of the experts on this topic through his research studies, particularly on postnatal HIV infection. Similarly, the AIDS crisis was the driving force that motivated Dean research. He became a Frank’s nurse practitioner who was in the forefront in caring for these patients. As a researcher, he focused on HIV treatment and prevention. He became one of the leading world’s experts on HIV in men. He continued to be involved in research and, at the time of the interview, was conducting a study on pre-exposure prophylaxis for AIDS among Black men. All these men considered their nursing profession as a venue for their caring attitude towards others. Becoming a registered nurse was viewed by all of them as a venue through which they could serve others, make a difference, and provide for themselves and their families. Career Trajectories The participants in this study all made a conscientious choice to enroll in a nursing program. Two participants each had a relative who was a nurse. A third had prior experience in health care as an PCT. Two men, as a career option, initially
The participants in this study often articulated profound unselfish concern for other people, particularly the marginalized segments in our society. They expressed repeatedly their desire to make a difference in the health care arena. For Dean George, becoming a nurse was just another avenue to serve the public and provide for his family after leaving his firefighting career. Like Dean George, Dean Roberts also wanted to make a difference when he witnessed how AIDS patients were treated in the 1980s because of the lack of understanding of this disease. Becoming a nurse researcher was a way for him to change that. He had, since that time, became one of the experts on this topic through his research studies, particularly on postnatal HIV infection. Similarly, the AIDS crisis was the driving force that motivated Dean Frank’s research. He became a nurse practitioner who was in the forefront in caring for these patients. As a researcher, he focused on HIV treatment and prevention. He became one of the world’s leading experts on HIV in men. He continued to be involved in research and, at the time of the interview, was conducting a study on pre-exposure prophylaxis for AIDS among Black men. All these men considered their nursing profession as a venue for their caring attitude towards others. Becoming a registered nurse was viewed by all of them as a venue through which they could serve others, make a difference, and provide for themselves and their families. Career Trajectories The participants in this study all made a conscientious choice to enroll in a nursing program. Two participants each had a relative who was a nurse. A third had prior experience in health care as an PCT. Two men, as a career option, initially
Fernan-Dissertation-01-06-2016.docx