Nursing image as reflected in sex role preferences

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Sex role stereotypes can influence professional identity.
• Understanding these perceptions is crucial in nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the connection between sex role preference and the image of nursing.
• To identify how different sex role orientations impact nursing students' views.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 43 female freshman nursing students.
• Utilized the Dreyer Sex Role Preference Profile.
• Analyzed data using a two-tailed test of proportions (p < .05).

Main Results:

• Significant differences were found in 9 of 19 nursing attributes.
• Differences in importance to self were noted for 8 of 19 items.
• No students identified as strongly traditional in their sex role preference.

Conclusions:

• Sex role preference is associated with nursing students' perceptions of the profession.
• Liberal and traditional orientations lead to distinct views on nursing attributes.
• Further research is needed to explore these nuanced relationships in nursing.