Nursing image: An evolutionary concept analysis

Abstract

A long-term challenge to the nursing profession is the concept of image. In this study, we used the Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis approach to analyze the concept of nursing image (NI). The aim of this concept analysis was to clarify the attributes, antecedents, consequences, and implications associated with the concept. We performed an integrative internet-based literature review to retrieve English literature published from 1980-2011. Findings showed that NI is a multidimensional, all-inclusive, paradoxical, dynamic, and complex concept. The media, invisibility, clothing style, nurses' behaviors, gender issues, and professional organizations are the most important antecedents of the concept. We found that NI is pivotal in staff recruitment and nursing shortage, resource allocation to nursing, nurses' job performance, workload, burnout and job dissatisfaction, violence against nurses, public trust, and salaries available to nurses. An in-depth understanding of the NI concept would assist nurses to eliminate negative stereotypes and build a more professional image for the nurse and the profession.

Nursing Education Challenges from Saudi Nurse Educators’ and Leaders’ Perspectives: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

“…This negative perception towards nursing has a ripple effect worldwide, thereby affecting an individual's decision to choose nursing as a career (Ten Hoeve, Jansen, & Roodbol, 2013). The nursing image is related to the public's view of the nursing profession, the professional distinction of nurses, nurses' view of the public image, and the perception created by the mainstream media about nursing (Rezaei-Adaryani, Salsali, & Mohammadi, 2012).…”

From student to graduate: longitudinal changes in the qualities of nurses

“…What we once thought of as the qualities of a nurse have evolved from stereotypes such as ‘angel of mercy’ ‘paragons of virtue’ and ‘doctor's handmaiden’ (Stanley , Rezaei‐Adaryani et al . ) to that of a ‘healthcare professional’ and ‘good communicator’, providing empathy and care (Kret , Griffiths et al . , Randall & Hill , Rezaei‐Adaryani et al .…”

Development and psychometric testing of an instrument to compare career choice influences and perceptions of nursing among healthcare students

“…Healthcare careers are often highly regarded for the ease of getting a job and job stability [10, 11]. Nursing is however often perceived as a poorly paid job [23]. …”

“…With the availability of instruments to measure the perception of nursing, the views of school-age students were extensively explored [15–18]. Nursing was perceived by school-age students as less intellectual [19], having low job autonomy [20], involving too much hard work [21], holding ‘dirty’ work [22], and receiving low salaries [23]. Although the psychometric properties of the instruments used in these studies require a more in-depth evaluation [24], the outcomes lend further support to the belief that nursing as a career choice holds a low public image.…”