This semester, through the first ever Alabama state chapter of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing, nursing majors at the University of Alabama are working to promote men’s health and break down stereotypes about males in the nursing industry.

The Capstone chapter of AAMN will work like other chapters around the country to “provide a framework for nurses, as a group, to meet, to discuss and influence factors, which affect men as nurses,” according to the national website.

“The overall purpose is for us to meet and talk about the factors that influence men in nursing,” said Tony Roberson, president of the Capstone chapter. “Our objectives are to encourage men to become nurses and join together to strengthen the healthcare system and support men who are already nurses to grow professionally.”

Roberson said the group would advocate for research and education about men’s health issues in addition to issues specifically relevant to men in the nursing career field.

The group is open to both men and women in the field, but is primarily made up of male nursing students, recent graduates of the program and local medical professionals in Tuscaloosa.

“We’re open to both men and women, but we’re working to show that nursing is not only a major or career for women,” said Andrew McPhail, a junior majoring in nursing and an active member of the AAMN Capstone chapter. “We’re hoping that if we have events that are mainly focused on men’s health and mainly run by male nursing students, it will help change the perspective people have had on a mostly female career.”

The group, which was officially launched in October of last year, currently has about 20 members and is continuing to grow quickly. Membership is primarily geared towards students in upper-division nursing and professionals, but some lower-division students are getting a head start to get involved.

“The chapter is a great way to network in terms of obtaining a job right after graduation and if you’re looking to apply to graduate schools,” Roberson said.

This semester, the main goal of the group is to raise funds and hold a men’s health fair to benefit the community and spread knowledge of men’s health to Tuscaloosa residents. The event will take place during a UA baseball game in April and will have students actively performing health screenings.

Students who are interested in joining the group can attend one of the chapter meetings, which normally take place every third Thursday of the month, with the next meeting falling on March 22because of spring break. Students must fill out an application and pay $30 in national and local dues per year to join.

“We’re trying to increase awareness that there is a need for diversity in nurses,” Roberson said. “I think that’s a national focus right now. We’re looking to increase gender diversity in nursing and this type of organization really pushes and emphasizes that initiative.”

Caleb Gray, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said he plans to look into joining the AAMN Capstone chapter, as it seems to be an organization with a purpose he is passionate about.

“I think that this organization having a Tuscaloosa chapter is really beneficial to the University of Alabama Nursing Program,” Gray said. “It spreads knowledge about the roles of men in nursing and could potentially increase the likelihood of men in our program.”