How clinical nurses in South Korea perceive the status of the nursing profession: A Q-methodological approach

Professional self-image among nurses is shaped by subjective perceptions, feelings, and tacit views. A perceived positive status reflects and influences the nurse's self-esteem, professional empowerment, and nursing performance. The aim of this study was to examine the perceived status of the nursing profession among clinical nurses in South Korea. Q-methodology was used with data collected from September to December 2014. Forty-four Q statements were selected and scored by the 31 participants on a 9-point scale with normal distribution. The data were analyzed using the pc-QUANL program. Thirty-one nurses were classified into 3 factors based on the following viewpoints: as professional (I am proud of my nursing job), subprofessional (I am not proud of my nursing job), and developmental (advocating for change and improvement). The major finding of this study included clinical nurses' subjective perception toward the status of nursing profession. The results indicated that to raise the status of nursing profession, nurses need to understand the value of nursing and their contribution to patients and public.