Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• The International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress highlighted a dominant global nurse shortage.
• Discussions included emotional appeals for returning nurses and strategies to leverage nurse emigration positively.
• A significant gap existed in addressing public perception and its impact on understanding nursing roles and shortages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of public confusion on the understanding of the nursing profession.
• To explore how this confusion contributes to the ongoing global nurse shortage.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of discussions and workshops from the ICN Congress in Copenhagen.
• Qualitative assessment of communication strategies within the nursing profession.

Main Results:

• The dominant theme at the ICN Congress was the global shortage of nurses.
• Limited attention was given to how professional jargon and public perception influence understanding of nursing roles.
• This lack of clarity potentially exacerbates the public's understanding of, and response to, nurse shortages.

Conclusions:

• The public's perception of nursing is significantly impacted by how the profession communicates its roles.
• Addressing this communication gap is crucial for improving public understanding and potentially mitigating nurse shortages.