Official stats show China’s number of registered nurses stood at nearly 2.5 million at the end of 2012, according to official statistics. Male nurses represent less than 1 percent of the total nursing population.

Cheng Gen, a CNA member in charge of male nurse related work, said male nurses are expected to be very popular in the future job market considering their small number and huge market demand.

Cheng said male nurses mainly work in intensive care unit (ICU), emergency medicine department, cardiovascular department and mental disease unit.

In the past, men were reluctant to stay a nurse and many quit their jobs for low-pay and limited career development. The National Health and Family Planning Commission said on Friday nurses’ working conditions and remunerations have improved in recent years.

Furthermore, several management-level social workers said they had found it increasingly difficult to fulfil their training requirements after moving into senior positions.

“Once you reach senior management level, the opportunity to undertake formal training is very limited,” said one respondent.

The survey also suggested that not all agency social workers are aware of the new CPD requirements. Caritas said: “Local authorities, private sector organisations and agencies will need to work closely with their staff and contractors to ensure they have the support and training they need.”