Since its inception, MAN-UP has provided an important voice for male nursing students, and has developed and implemented successful programs targeting men’s health. In particular, the students recruited an NFL athlete, who spoke about the importance of men receiving yearly physical exams, and a noted author, who shared how to navigate tall mountains.
Soon after MAN-UP was formed, the concept caught fire, and I began to receive calls from nursing schools all over the United States, as well as Canada, inquiring how to start a male student nursing association. I was moved by their interest, because it validated the importance of our group in recruiting qualified male students and addressing men’s health issues. As a result, MAN-UP has mentored other nursing schools on starting their own male nursing associations.
MAN-UP has been featured in media outlets for its campus-wide work. Specifically, we hosted the first men’s mental program, focusing on campus suicides, symptoms of depression and providing depression screenings to all interested students. In recognition of the organization’s work, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing has twice been awarded the prestigious “Best School in Nursing” award by American Assembly for Men in Nursing.
These are our future nursing leaders, and their compassion to help their peers and serve their community epitomizes what nursing is all about—being leaders, being mentors and serving the community. This is why I am inspired.
