Nurses transformation from angels to heroes: society's perception of nursing image during COVID 19

Abstract

IntroductionThe image of nursing is shaped by the experiences of those who receive care from nurses. Studies on society's perception of the image of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited. This study aimed to determine society's perception of the image of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe study was designed as a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study using an online survey containing demographic, nursing and COVID-19 related 24 questions.ResultsThe study was conducted with 427 participants. Scale for the Image of Nursing Profession. Perceptions of the image of nursing (mean = 146.90) were good. In the regression analysis, the variables affecting the image of nursing were: knowledge of the existence of ICU nursing, admission to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge of the possibility of an academic career in the nursing profession, and the belief that nurses received inadequate salaries (P < 0.05).DiscussionResults of the study show that society's perceptions of the image of nursing are good and that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive effect on the recognition and image of the nursing profession. Nursing leaders needs to develop strategies to improve and sustain the image of nursing.