Xue Lei treats a patient at the intensive care unit at Peking University Third Hospital. [Photo by Zou Hong / China Daily]

Being a nurse in the unit is far more complex than simply giving injections and dispensing medicine. Nurses must regularly wash patients' bodies and help them turn over or change positions.

They also observe and report changes in a patient's condition, and prepare drugs and devices for doctors when they need to perform emergency treatment.

As head nurse, Xue is always prepared to coordinate with medical specialists from all over the hospital, because joint efforts are sometimes needed to treat patients.

Xue loves his job, and he believes nurses can help patients both physically and mentally. Nurses help patients maintain their confidence and happiness while they battle diseases through constant care and attention.

Deng Jun, 27, the head nurse at Peking University First Hospital, says that because there are so few male nurses, they might have more opportunities than their female counterparts in training, overseas business visits and career advancement.

But not every male nurse enters the profession willingly, since many applied at university to be doctors but didn't score high enough on the entrance exam. In fact, many male nursing students choose different careers after graduating, and some leave for other professions after working at a hospital for a year or two.

"Many male nurses are encouraged by other people to be a nurse, and don't make the decision themselves," says Deng, also the deputy director of the male nurse working committee under the Chinese Nursing Association.