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Introduction: Newspapers are a predominant channel through which the Chinese public learns about nurses and the nursing profession. However, little nursing research has been performed in China to investigate the newspaper portrayal of nurses, and how the public perceives the role of nurses in the Chinese context is still an ambiguous phenomenon. This study aimed to clarify the public portrayals of nurses in China, and to analyze whether there are changes over time in news content related to nurses in the national newspapers. Design: A content analysis of the newspaper articles citing nurses that have been published since each newspaper was established. Method: We selected two national daily newspapers as sources to systematically search for articles about nurses from 1949 to 2022. A coding instrument was developed to quantitatively extract the contents of the articles identified. Then, using a mixed methods approach, we analyzed newspaper content to show the roles of nurses presented to the public by the media. Results: A total of 317 articles were analyzed. Nurses have been depicted with heterogeneous images in both newspapers with positive wordings and up to 28 types of public images. More than half of the articles portrayed two, three, or more types of images. Among the images of nurses identified, "overworked" appeared the most frequently, followed by "dedicated," "philanthropic and benevolent," and "with a sense of responsibility," and then "technically skilled." By analyzing the image of nurses in both newspapers over time, we found that images related to virtue have largely increased with time, while images about professionalism have decreased. Conclusion: Nursing continues to be depicted as a virtuous caregiving profession, often forgetting the wide need for knowledge, skill, and expertise required in the occupation. The public image of nurses portrayed in the national newspapers does not accurately match their actual roles. Clinical Relevance: The public image of nurses portrayed in the national newspapers does not accurately match their actual roles. To actualize a professional role and increase social status of nurses, intentional image management is needed. Nursing schools, nursing associations, and nursing professionals should be more proactive in overcoming the stereotypical image portrayed of them and use the news media as a tool to invite attention from and dialogue with the public about the value of nursing to reframe the public's understanding of the expert role of the professional nurse in health care and to create a new and more professional image for nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To systematically review the available evidence from research exploring the image of nurses in the media. Background: Nurses have historically faced many challenges and have received media attention for such efforts. However, the image of nursing traditionally conveyed by media has failed to represent the real character and a positive image of the nursing profession. Review methods: For this scoping literature review, a search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Dialnet to identify studies written in English, Spanish or Portuguese from the earliest date in the databases until February 2022. Four authors were involved in a two‐stage screening process. Data were subjected to quantitative content analysis. A decade‐by‐decade analysis was performed to track the evolution of the research. Results: Sixty studies were included. The analysis shows (1) an increasing interest in analysing the portrayal of nurses and nursing in media over time, especially from 2000 onwards; (2) a prevailing trend of focusing on one form of media when analysing the portrayal of nurses; (3) qualitative designs as the most frequent method for exploring the image of nursing; and (4) a predominantly negative image conveyed by media. Conclusions: There is a notable body of scientific evidence about the image of nurses and nursing portrayed in media. The interest in analysing media depictions of nursing has a long history. The included studies' samples showed heterogeneity, as they were obtained from different media, periods and countries. Implications for nursing: This scoping review is the first systematic review to provide a comprehensive map of what has been studied thus far regarding media depictions of nursing. It confirms the imperative need for nurses in different settings (academic, assistance or management fields) to maintain a proactive attitude towards addressing images of nursing and ensuring accurate representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine (a) public image of nursing and the intention to choose nursing as a future career and (b) the relationship between the public image, gender roles and the choice of the nursing career among Arab high school students. Background: School graduates from the Arab sector represent an important social group with the potential to provide quality candidates for the nursing profession in Israel. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 138 high school students from two Arab schools in Israel completed a structured questionnaire. Results: One third of the sample intended to choose nursing as a future career. Students from families with a higher level of paternal education and those exposed to the work of nurses perceived nursing as more positive. The profession's public image contributed to the explanation of 21% of the variance of the intention to choose a nursing career. Conclusion: A positive public image of nursing contributes to decisions about choosing a nursing career in the future among Arab high school students. Implications for Nursing Management: School graduates may be influenced by providing information and presenting the role of a nurse as significant, as well as by emphasizing the positive image of nursing to parents and influential people in the Arab community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the experience of Italian nurses during the first wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak by analysing professional social media posts. Background: The COVID‐19 outbreak has overwhelmed health care institutions; as a consequence, nurses' lives and psycho‐physical health have been affected. Introduction: The COVID‐19 pandemic forced nurses to work in physically and psychologically stressful conditions impacting on their life. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study. All narratives (texts and videos) posted by nurses from the 23rd of February 2020 to the 3rd of May (from the start of the outbreak to the end of the first lockdown) were analysed and published on the five most popular Italian professional social media platforms. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines were followed. Results: Five themes emerged from the 380 narratives explored: 'Sharing what is happening within myself'; 'Experiencing unprecedented working conditions'; 'Experiencing a deep change'; 'Failing to rehabilitate the image of nurses in society'; and 'Do not abandon us'. Even though nurses appreciated the recognition of their communities, they still felt devalued and not recognized as professionals. Discussion: Several psychological, physical, social and professional implications emerged from nurses working during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Despite being highly praised, nurses perceived they had failed in rehabilitating the image of nurses in society. Conclusion: The experience of working during the COVID‐19 pandemic represented a traumatic event for nurses but it offered them personal and professional growth opportunities. Implications for nursing practice, nursing policy and health policy: Supporting nurses' mental health is highly recommended, together with a cultural investment on nurses' role recognition, and a zero‐tolerance policy towards violence and aggression towards nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

fealy g.m. (2004) Journal of Advanced Nursing 46(6), 649–656 ‘The good nurse’: visions and values in images of the nurse The various ways in which the nurse has been publicly portrayed do not merely reflect the value of nursing in society, but also define the boundaries of nursing, and reveal the ideologies and systems of power-brokerage at work in shaping nursing. Therefore, it is of profound interest to the profession to continue to examine the ways in which the nurse is and has been portrayed. This paper aims to present a historical analysis of the image of the nurse in public discourses in Ireland. Using a framework of critical discourse analysis within the method of historical research, the paper draws on documentary primary sources to present an analysis of discourse concerning the ‘good nurse’. In exposing the diverse ways in which the nurse has been depicted in Irish public discourses, the origins of the ‘good nurse’ ideal are identified, the reasons for its continued promotion are critically examined, and the effects of the ideal on the development of nursing in Ireland are considered. While the ways in which Irish nurses have been depicted in public discourses have similarities with international nursing imagery, the ‘good nurse’ ideal has a uniquely Irish expression, indicating that the image of the nurse is both culture-specific and changes to reflect the underlying sociocultural context, and prevailing system of political power and influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public image of nursing is important because it can facilitate or create barriers to achieving an adequate supply of nursing human resources. This study sought to gain a better understanding of nursing's professional image within the Republic of Georgia. The Nursing Human Resources Systems model was used to guide the study's exploratory, qualitative approach. Data collection occurred over a 2‐week period in the Republic of Georgia, and thirty‐three participants formed the final study sample. Participants included healthcare professionals, key informants from nonprofit and research institutions, and patients. Data analysis occurred using directed content analysis techniques, and three themes emerged: (a) gender dimension; (b) the nursing service recipient experience; and (c) historical legacies. Themes revealed the complexities of nursing's image in the country. Findings from this study serve as baseline data for understanding nursing's image in the Republic of Georgia which could assist with improving pre‐entry nursing production issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]