Image Of Nursing

It is a common fact that nurses are not given the respect they deserve for the high level of knowledge they demonstrate to patients (Hoeve, Jansen & Roodbol, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to show how the negative portrayals of nurses in the media can result in a distorted image from the public. The components of this paper talk about the negative image of the nurse due to the lack of consistency in the media that the public is viewing, as well as the shortened staff and the public’s poor judgement on the profession.

This essay focuses on the impact of historical development of nursing on contemporary representations of the nursing profession. It examines the professional identity of nursing and further discusses the contribution of modern nursing, social, cultural and political factors that influences the professional identity of a nurse. The essay also looks into the professional regulations and the role of the nurse’s and midwifery Council (NMC) in the protection of the public. Finally, this essay will discuss nursing education, the media, stereotype, and their impacts on nurses as well as demonstrate my understanding as a student nurse to challenge the professional identity of nurses.

Media has an immense effect on societal views, and cultural norms. It is not surprising then, that media influences the public view of the nursing profession (McHugh, 2012). Negative portrayal of nursing in media is detrimental, these stereotypes undermine the profession which leads to less resources and a negative image of nursing among nursing students (Anonymous, 2010). For these reasons the image of nursing in media is something that needs to be explored, to understand how the nursing image in media affects both public and personal perception of the profession (Anonymous, 2010). Nurse Jackie is a controversial television show about an Emergency room nurse named Jackie (Hudis & Zisk, 2009). In this series Jackie is middle aged, married, mother of two, and while she is depicted as being loving with her family, she is having an affair with the pharmacist for her department. As a nurse Jackie is caring, and compassionate towards her patients, while also exhibiting unethical and inappropriate behaviours both within and outside of her working environment (Sorrell, 2009). Jackie is a complex character who exhibits both positive and negative nursing behaviours.

When people think about nurses, many ideas come to mind. They think of the hideous old starched, white uniforms, a doctor’s handmaiden, the sexy or naughty nurse, or a torturer. The media and society have manipulated the identity and role of nurses. None of these ideas truly portray nurses and what they do. Nurses are with the patients more than the doctors. People do not realize how little they will encounter the doctor in the hospital until they are actually in the hospital. People quickly realize how important nurses are. Because nurses interact with their patients constantly, nurses are the ones who know the patients best.

Image. The media diverts the attention of the young adults who may be interested in nursing by focusing on the challenges that nurse’s face rather than the aspects of the career that are rewarding.

The media is known to have immense influences on the public perception from body images to what kind of car people should buy. And the nursing image is not immune to these influences. What Hollywood transmits to the public about nurse’s works much like an advertising industry. Television has represented nurses in varying degrees and not all of them are flattering. We have been portrayed as

Nursing has greatly changed throughout the years and many aspects. The nursing profession has had to overcome obstacles pertaining to public perception, education, and different issues within the field. These three aspects have been the most influential on the profession because they have all helped evolve and shape the profession and image. A negative image does not persuade others to join the occupation, view it positively, or treat nurses with respect. Conversely, a positive image has proven to influence the profession strongly with incentives to join and to be viewed respectively. A Hisory of American Nursing, Trends and Eras by Deborah Judd and Kathleen Sitzman further elaborate on the influential trends which shaped nursing image in the past and present.

(p. 19). In this paper I will be talking about how the negative images shown in the media impacts the image of nursing. I will assess how nurses are portrayed in the television series Nurse Jackie and then I will compare what is found to academic

The image of nursing is portrayed in several ways with all different types of media. One of the longest-running and most popular medical drama television shows, Grey’s Anatomy, appears to offer an accurate interpretation of the profession of nursing. However, the fictional show, created by Shonda Rimes, actually degrades nursing along unrealistic practices and representations. The show gives an impression to the viewers that doctors do it all, the physicians control nurses, and the word nurse is an insult. This portrayal is not accurate and is extremely damaging to the nursing community.

The nurse’s image and role within society has undergone many changes throughout the past two centuries. Nursing has transformed from a role of untrained women of low socioeconomic stature, to the trained and respected profession it is today. During this transformation nursing has been classed into many different stereotypes by the media which have significantly impacted on the public perception of nursing today. An example, of this is the ‘heroine’ image of nurses during World War Two. In this essay I will discuss key drivers of this nursing image such as the demand for nurses in World War Two, the feminine subservient role to physicians and the traditional nurse’s uniform, portrayed through my chosen media piece, an American recruitment poster

As time goes by, with new researches and the IOM report, the focus of nursing has shifted dramatically with the education needs going along as well. In as much as one may argue that as time evolves, the images have changed from the perspective of “angel of mercy” from the stereotype as depicted as nurses being inferior to the physician. Hence, it is interested to note that views of the society impact on values, missions and goals of the professionally oriented nurse. And so, since the thought is that different people may view the image of a nurse quite differently, I thought that it would be interesting to hear the thoughts from different age group, of their images of the nurse. A survey questionnaire was prepared as below.

The image of all professionals in the workplace is determined by how others perceive them. The uniforms that nurses wear is just one way people coming into the workplace judge these helpful professionals. Additionally the media contributes to the image of professionals. The media influences people’s impression of these hard working individuals in different ways, both positive and negative. Some shows that we watch and enjoy aren’t always the best. These shows gives out a wrong perception of these workers. Not all of these shows that we enjoy are terrible. From watching the news in the mornings we can hear the good of one individual. Having a good image of nurses is a very important thing in my mind because I want to pursue a job in this career

Media is very popular these days and people can access them instantly anytime, anywhere in the world. The image of nursing is certainly influenced by media such as advertisement, newspapers, movies, TV and radio. The Media’s unfounded believes damages the image of the nursing profession and influences how those outside of the medical field view nursing as a profession. Media influences people to make them believe that nurses are just like other caring people, but they actually do not know that nurses are actively involved in the health care reform. “Media’s tendency to frame the same issue in different ways at different times” (Alan Miller, Tyler, Rozanova and Mor. 2012, p.748). Often time media have been presenting the nursing profession poorly about nurses with unprofessional behavior, inappropriate dress or appearance and they are manipulating the story not reflecting the skills, true value and care that goes along with the nursing profession. Media can spread the message across the globe quickly and if the message is contrary to the profession it could mislead people. “The tone of media coverage has been primarily negative, rarely positive ’’ (Alan Miller, Tyler, Rozanova and Mor. 2012, p.745). The media portrays nurses as the helpers of doctor’s, on the contrary, the true role of nursing is the one that provides support, comfort, and health care service. The impact of media negligence could reduce the respect and value of nurses in the public.

Lisa, I agreed with you that professional nurses are precious, invaluable and irreplaceable. We are very important in the healthcare sector, no doubt about it. Whatever we are doing as nurses, we should have mind of giving our all in it, to be fulfilled and satisfied in order to have self-actualization in our profession. As nurses, we need to keep up with the changes in healthcare sector, and advancement through advance education and in the nursing research. As nurses, we should show more concerns to our patients in our daily activities. We should strive to show our identity of nursing image and self –confidence in our skills, and proves the dynamicity of nursing profession to the public. No media or Hollywood, will redeem nurses’ image,

Healthcare need is increasing and changing rapidly and nursing practices today may be different in the future. Nurse leaders and government officials find nursing shortage critical. It is considered both a supply and demand shortage. It is important for nurse leaders and government agencies to ensure that nursing care is in place through education. Knowledge and skill in nursing care actively support career development increases nurses’ sense of being valued, recognized and supported for contributions they bring to the organization. Experts suggests a need to improve the image of nursing specially in regions where religious and cultural beliefs dictate the career choices of its citizens. Employers work with mass media to show the