Senior nursing student Brandon Freeman initiated an effort to bring the first American Association of Men in Nursing chapter to Kansas. The chapter recently received official acceptance.
“I believe it’s important to improve men’s health in a supportive and community environment,” Freeman said. “It allows men to be able to feel confident as we enter a women dominated field.”
Freeman approached School of Nursing Director Amy Hite about the chapter, after learning more at the AAMN National Meeting in Orlando. Eventually, they worked through the Campus Activities Board to establish the student organization.
“The chapter represents a meaningful step toward strengthening diversity, representation, and belonging within the nursing profession,” Hite said. “Historically, men have been underrepresented in nursing and establishing an AAMN chapter signals PSU’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel supported.”
With this step forward, it puts the nursing school as a leader in the state, Hite said.
“It also positions the School of Nursing as a leader in the state—advancing conversations about gender diversity and promoting professional identity formation for all future nurses,” Hite said. “Approximately 12 to 15% of nurses in practice are males. We average 10 to 20% men in each cohort of nursing students at PSU.”
Professor Cheryl Giefer serves as the chapter’s primary advisor, joined by co-advisor Girard Medical Center CEO Travis Battagler, BSN.
Freeman serves as the chapter’s inaugural president, with Lane Sullivan, a junior, as vice president and Parker Bumgarner, a junior, as secretary/treasurer. The group includes 19 members. There are 13 seniors and six juniors who meet monthly and host guest speakers who share advice, career paths, and personal experiences in the profession.
Benefits for students in the organization include professional development, mentorship and peer support, community engagement, and a supportive environment. All this helps students prepare and on their way to their nursing careers.
For Freeman, he went into nursing to make an impact during people’s vulnerable times. Through that, he said he can gain rapport and trust with patients.
“I’m in nursing because I want to make a meaningful impact on the patients’ lives,” Freeman said. “This is a vulnerable situation for most patients, and I want to be there to be able to prolong their lives and gain rapport and trust.”
Members of the chapter have a couple of expectations. They participate in chapter meetings, activities, and service events. They support the mission of AAMN by promoting inclusivity, professionalism, and equitable representation in nursing. Additionally, they contribute to educational, outreach, or leadership initiatives. And finally, they uphold the values of collaboration, respect, and advocacy within both the chapter and the broader PSU community.
To support the launch, Pitt State’s inaugural AAMN class received complimentary memberships.
“The launch of the AAMN chapter marks an exciting milestone for Pittsburg State University School of Nursing and opens the door to new opportunities for student engagement and professional growth,” Hite said. “As the first chapter in Kansas, PSU sets a precedent for supporting gender diversity in nursing and elevating the voices of all future healthcare professionals.”