Andrew Stanley

Dr. Wanda White

ENGL 1102-018
7 May 2014
EIP Reflection
The extended inquiry project has been an interesting, challenging, informational, and
influential assignment. One of the greatest aspects of this project, off the bat, was being allowed
to choose my own research topic. This assignment allowed me to engage my own thoughts
about my future career and helped me to understand the challenges that I might face as a male
nurse. The extended inquiry project has been the most in-depth and the most extensive research
paper Ive ever conducted. It had some similarities from previous papers but many astronomical
differences.
The major difference between my earlier research papers and the extended inquiry project
is the way the paper is constructed: proposal, annotated bibliography, essay, and reflection. No
other research paper that Ive completed has demanded such specific attributes. The format and
use of subtitles are also both majorly different aspects of the extended inquiry project that Ive
never used in other formal research assignments. Needless to say the assignment itself seemed
very alien to me with the exception of the actual research and writing of the essay which Ive
done many times. The process in which the extended inquiry project was completed was
actually extremely enjoyable and relaxing; completing each section one at a time and allowing
me to actually engage the information I was researching. The research itself was very
fascinating and provided me with a plethora of useful information that I can use to guard myself
in my future career.
From my research conducted on the topic of male nurses I found that there are many
reasons as to why men dont normally choose nursing as a career. Negative stereotypes in
regards to sexuality, discriminating work place stigmas, and emasculating social expectations in
regards to gender roles all play a part in repelling men from the female dominant occupation of
professional nursing. My research also reinforced my own knowledge of the occupational
stability of nursing and the professional enrichment it has to offer. Research on salary and
statistics on projected income for nursing also gave me a second wind of encouragement to
pursue this profession as my own career.
Overall I feel very successful with this assignment and I believe it taught me a lot in
regards to writing and it offered me an opportunity to reflect my own life choices and pursuits.
This assignment was completed with ease and has by far been my favorite writing assignment in
my college career.