A semiquantitative method to assess role image in nursing through the application of semantics

A semiquantitative method is described for linking professional role image to semantics. The number and type of words generated by three open-ended questions seem to demonstrate professional role image in a staff population of a psychiatric unit. These relationships are quantified as the Role Image Index (RII). The population of a pilot group was divided into three main categories: (1) Nursing Service, Professionals; (2) Nursing Service, Nonprofessionals; and (3) Other Professionals, consisting of psychiatrists and other psychotherapists. Each group was subsequently divided into subgroups. Of these, the Associate Degree Nurse was the only nursing subgroup which demonstrated role image strength consistent with other professionals. Statistical measures employed were regression analyses to assess unusual individual behavior and correlational studies between three proposed indicators of role image strength. While the population is too small to be statistically significant, data are presented to demonstrate the potential significance in the employment of psycholinguistics as a tool for role assessment and development. The tool is seen to have implications for both nursing education and service in the affirmation of nursing as a profession.