RESUMO
PURPOSE: Long standing problems are apparent in professional nursing in Iraq. This is a critical point in time and feedback and input from nurses will be important in advancing the profession. DESIGN: A questionnaire was used to explore the attitudes of faculty members about professional nursing, women's roles and nursing, and the Iraqi Nurses Association. The questionnaire was administered to 31 faculty members at the College of Nursing, University of Baghdad. FINDINGS: The respondents reported the poor image of Iraqi nursing and the relationship between physicians and nurses as the most immediate problems facing the profession. The respondents are not active in their professional association and believe that the association is not addressing current problems. Profound changes are needed in professional nursing before nurses can play significant roles in the Iraqi health care system.
