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Stereotypes of professional roles.
Image--The Journal of Nursing Scholarship
|January 1, 1989
Summary
The public still views nurses through a lens of feminine and nurturing traits. Increased awareness is needed to recognize nurses as scholars and leaders, potentially shifting stereotypes towards intelligence and autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Social Psychology
- Public Perception
Background:
- The public image of nursing is crucial for professional recognition and advancement.
- Stereotyping can significantly impact recruitment, retention, and public trust in healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current public image of the nursing profession.
- To examine the nature of stereotyping associated with nurses.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 110 subjects in a shopping mall setting.
- Participants rated the degree to which 12 characteristics typify individuals across 14 professions, including nursing.
Main Results:
- The public image of nurses is predominantly characterized by feminine and nurturant qualities.
- Findings highlight a gap between current stereotypes and the evolving roles of nurses.
Conclusions:
- There is a need to enhance public awareness of nurses as scholars and leaders.
- Advocating for the right to practice may foster a new stereotype of nurses as intelligent and autonomous professionals.
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