Introduction:

Nursing is a profession practiced by both sexes, although historically the female sex has always been the predominant one. Currently, there is an increase in the number of men who stand out in the profession, despite the social imaginary that recognizes men as having less knowledge in the care process.

Objective:

To analyze the social representations of professional nursing careers among male students majoring for a bachelor's degree.

Methods:

Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study carried out in a private higher education institution in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The population consisted of male students enrolled in the undergraduate Nursing course, between the first and tenth periods, in 2018. The sample consisted of 24 students who met the established criteria. A semistructured instrument was used, which contains three questions on the subject of study. The results were analyzed following content analysis, based on the theory of social representations.

Results:

Nursing is understood as a science of care, but the students who choose the profession face challenges. They recognize the existence of a stereotypical and sexist vision that questions masculinity. This can influence the professional's behavior regarding the perception and appreciation of nursing.

Conclusion:

It is essential to change the image of nursing, since the value of care should not focus on the gender of the professional. Visibility is necessary to deconstruct stereotypes and prejudices that may interfere with the care process.

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