Men’s Health Nursing has been Formally Recognized as a Specialty within the Profession of Nursing

The Coalition for Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana (CAPNI) is proud to recognize CAPNI member Julian L. Gallegos, PhD, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, NREMT, CNL, CMHE, FAUNA, FADLN, for his leadership in a landmark advancement for nursing and advanced practice: Men’s Health Nursing has been formally recognized as a specialty within the profession of nursing, supported by the newly developed Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice.

Dr. Gallegos, faculty at Purdue University–West Lafayette, has long advocated for a clearer, standards-driven approach to caring for boys and men particularly those facing disproportionate risk from occupational exposures, delayed care-seeking, chronic disease, and mental health challenges. Drawing on clinical practice and national advocacy, he helped elevate men’s health from an important priority to a defined specialty with explicit competencies, expectations, and professional standards.

To advance this vision, Dr. Gallegos founded and leads the American Men’s Health Nursing Alliance (AMHNA) and partnered with national colleagues and the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) to develop the first comprehensive scope and standards document for Men’s Health Nursing. The Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice has now been reviewed and approved by the American Nurses Association (ANA) Board of Directors, formally establishing Men’s Health Nursing as a recognized specialty area.

“This is a defining moment for nursing and for advanced practice,” CAPNI President, Caitlin Krouse, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, RN noted. “Specialty recognition strengthens education, practice, and policy and it affirms the critical role nurse practitioners and APRNs play in improving outcomes for men across the lifespan.”

Indiana’s APRN community can take pride in knowing this national achievement was led by an Indiana-based nurse practitioner and scholar. As this specialty is implemented nationwide, CAPNI views this milestone as a powerful step toward more intentional, evidence-based, and accessible men’s health care—particularly for underserved, rural, and high-risk working populations.

Dr. Gallegos’ work reflects CAPNI’s mission to advance the role, impact, and leadership of Indiana’s advanced practice nurses. CAPNI congratulates Dr. Gallegos and the national author team for creating a standards-driven pathway that will strengthen men’s health practice for years to come.