Influencia de la COVID-19 en la imagen social de la Enfermería / The impact of COVID-19 on the social image of Nursing

Objetivo: describir la percepción actual que tiene la sociedad sobre la Enfermería y conocer cómo ha variado la representación de la profesión enfermera en el imaginario social con la situación de emergencia sanitaria de COVID-19. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal en población general y en profesionales sanitarios, captados a través de muestreo no probabilístico (el tamaño muestral alcanzado, n= 1.109, arrojó una precisión absoluta de 2,94%), a través de un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc. Resultados: la Enfermería fue considerada una profesión dedicada al cuidado e imprescindible dentro de la sanidad (83,7%), pero poco reconocida socialmente (53,8%), mal remunerada (48,4%) y percibida como profesión de riesgo (93,3%). A sus profesionales se les atribuía formación de grado universitario (84,8%) y su cualidad más destacable era el conocimiento (85,2%). El estereotipo mayoritario era el de una mujer (92,8%), de mediana edad (53,9%), que vestía “pijama” sanitario (85,3%). El 52,4% creía que la pandemia de COVID-19 había cambiado su percepción de la Enfermería; a sus profesionales les reconocían su relevancia, valorando su desempeño positivamente, inspirándoles sentimientos de admiración y respeto. Conclusiones: la Enfermería ha sido considerada una profesión dedicada al cuidado e imprescindible dentro de la sanidad, pero poco reconocida socialmente, mal remunerada y percibida como profesión de riesgo. La experiencia de emergencia sanitaria ha dado visibilidad a los cuidados enfermeros. La pandemia COVID-19 ha influido positivamente en la imagen social de la Enfermería, revalorizándola como profesión.(AU)

Objective: to describe the current perception of Nursing by society, and to understand how the representation of the Nursing profession in the social consciousness has changed with the healthcare emergency scenario of COVID-19. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study in the overall population and healthcare professionals, recruited through non-probabilistic sampling (the sample size achieved, n= 1.109, delivered absolute accuracy of 2,94%), through a questionnaire designed ad hoc. Results: Nursing was considered a profession devoted to care and essential within the healthcare system (83.7%), but with low social recognition (53.8%), underpaid (48.4%) and perceived as a high-risk profession (93.3%). These professionals were considered to have university degree education (84.8%), and their most outstanding quality was knowledge (85.2%). The stereotype profile was a woman (92.8%), middle-aged (53.9%), wearing sanitary “pyjamas” (85.3%). 52.4% of the sample believed that the COVID-19 pandemic had changed their perception of Nursing; the importance of these professionals was acknowledged, and their performance was valued positively, inspiring feelings of admiration and respect towards them. Conclusions: Nursing has been considered a profession devoted to care and essential within the healthcare system, but with low social recognition, underpaid, and perceived as a high-risk profession. The healthcare emergency experience has given visibility to nursing care. There has been a positive impact by the COVID-19 pandemic upon the social image of Nursing, revaluing it as a profession.(AU)

[Four "Big" Stereotypes on Nurses in Mass Consciousness: on the Materials of the Moscow People Opinion Analysis in Social Media].

Staffing problems (including staff shortage) in nursing reveal the connection with the stereotypical perception of the profession. The study of stereotypes was limited to Moscow healthcare and was based on downloading messages from social media (31,613 posts), the relevance of their study is determined by the growth of social media influence on public opinion. 24% of messages about nurses in the sample contain "large" stereotypical images (excluding spam). It was studied four "large" stereotypical images of a nurse: "guardian angel", "doctor's assistant", "authoritarian nurse" and "sensual nurse", and each one has negative aspects. Authors considered the specific perception of each of the images in social media. The remaining 76% of messages do not offer an alternative image of a nurse. The conclusion offers recommendations aimed at increasing the prestige of the profession: creating a new positive image of the profession, promoting it, encouraging nurses to join public space and increasing their autonomy.

Perception of nursing profession - focus group interview among applicants to nursing education.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore nursing applicants' perceptions of the nursing profession and to identify the factors influencing their perceptions. BACKGROUND: Perceptions guide the career choice in nursing and the retainment in the profession. Perceptions of nursing profession are said to be outdated and unrealistic among public. Therefore, more information is needed about the perceptions of nursing applicants. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative design using focus group interviews. METHODS: Three focus group interviews (n = 18) were conducted among applicants to undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BSc) nursing programmes. The focus group interviews were recorded transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. In this study, the ethical principles set by Finnish law and the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics were followed. FINDINGS: Applicants perceived nursing through characteristics of a nurse, content of nursing work, nature of nursing work and career possibilities in nursing. According to applicants, nursing requires suitable attitude and character with knowledge, theoretical competence and good general education. Nurses were seen to work in multi-professional teams and tasks of a nurse were described through caring role of a nurse. The decision-making in nursing was regarded limited. Nursing was considered as secure job with versatile career options although the career options or the further educational possibilities were not fully recognised among applicants. Personal factors, family and friends, media and career counselling at school influenced applicants' perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Applicants' perceptions of the nursing profession are one-sided and partly unrealistic. Future research should concentrate on planning interventions aiming to change the public image of the nursing profession.

Young peoples' perceptions of the nursing profession: An integrative review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this integrative review was to describe young people's perceptions of the nursing profession and to identify factors influencing the perception. DESIGN: Integrative literature review. DATA SOURCES: The CINAHL, PubMed and Medic electronic databases were searched for research publications between 2006 and 2016. The keywords used were: perception, attitude, belief, view, knowledge, image, nurse, nursing care, career, profession, role, teen, middle school student, high school student, adolescent and pupil. A manual search was conducted of the reference lists of the identified articles. REVIEW METHODS: Whittemore and Knafl's method for conducting an integrative review was utilized. The quality of the chosen articles was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute's quality appraisal tools. FINDINGS: The search resulted in eight articles. Young people described the nature of nursing work with poor working conditions, shift work and a limited level of autonomy. Nursing work was mainly seen as caring for and helping patients which was considered inferior to doctors' work. Young people did not recognize the educational requirements or the career pathways in nursing and described the status of nursing as low in society. Nurses were considered as kind and caring people who work hard and are less intellectual. The factors influencing the perception were family and relatives, friends, media, significant others and personal factors. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of young people do not reflect the reality of the nursing profession and the perceived image of nursing has not changed in the last ten years. Young people and the public need realistic information of the nursing profession and the actions to change the image should take place at all levels of the society. Further research is needed to understand how the perceptions of the young people can be influenced and changed to reflect a more realistic image of a contemporary nurse.

Contributing to a Quality Patient Experience: Applying Evidence Based Practice to Support Changes in Nursing Dress Code Policies

The public image of nurse professionalism is important. Attributes of a professional nurse, such as caring, attentive, empathetic, efficient, knowledgeable, competent, and approachable, or lack thereof, can contribute positively or negatively to the patient experience. Nurses at a hospital in central northeast Pennsylvania offer their story as they considered the impact of a wide variety of individual uniform and dress choices. This article describes an evidence based practice project and survey created to increase understanding of patient perceptions regarding the professional image of nurses in this facility. Exploring patient perception of nurse image provided insight into what patients view as important. A team approach included the voice of nurses at different levels in the process. Ultimately, this work informed a revision of the health system nursing dress code. The study team also reflects on challenges, next steps in the process, and offers recommendations based on their experiences.