Exploring Women's Experiences in the Nursing Higher Education Workforce: A Systematic Integrative Review

Abstract

Women constitute most of the global nursing workforce and hold a central role in nursing education. However, despite their numerical dominance, women educators in nursing academia continue to face persistent structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that hinder their career advancement and leadership opportunities. This integrative review explores the multifaceted challenges affecting women’s professional identity formation, career progression, work-life integration, and access to leadership roles. It highlights the compounded effects of gender bias, unequal workload distribution, limited mentorship opportunities, and systemic discrimination. The review also emphasizes the intersectional disadvantages faced by marginalized groups, including women of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. By synthesizing contemporary literature, the article identifies critical patterns and proposes actionable strategies to promote gender equity, including leadership development programs, flexible work policies, inclusive mentorship frameworks, equity audits, and a cultural shift toward shared governance. The findings underscore the urgent need for higher education institutions to transition from performative commitments to structural reforms that foster inclusive, equitable, and empowering environments for women in nursing academia.