Clothing Symbolism and the Changing Role of Nurses

Abstract

Nurses' use of and attitudes toward traditional role symbols and their attitudes toward nurse autonomy and rejection of traditional role limitations were investigated. The sample consisted of 275 staff‐level registered nurses randomly selected from five Ohio and five Massachusetts general hospitals. The hypothesis that there would be an association between frequency of cap‐wearing and attitudes toward role symbols was accepted (p < .001). The hypothesis that nurses who expressed favorable attitudes toward role symbols would express unfavorable attitudes toward nurse autonomy and rejection of traditional role limitations, and that nurses who expressed unfavorable attitudes toward role symbols would express favorable attitudes toward nurse autonomy and rejection of traditional role limitations was accepted (p < .001). The type of professional socialization and variables related to setting in which the nurse role is enacted are factors related to nurses' attitudes toward traditional role symbols.