Perception of Physicians, Nurses and Employees toward Nursing Image as a Profession at Assiut University Hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Nursing image has been long a standing problem for nurses. Changes in health care system and public opinion have direct impact on nurses and nursing profession, the public still has a narrow view about what the profession actually does. So nurses must be concerned about negative or incorrect images; therefore public need to view the nurse as an integral part of health care system, and capable of providing holistic nursing care. Aimof this studyis toassess the perception of physicians, nurses and employees toward nursing image as a profession at Assiut University Hospitals. Research designwas cross- section descriptive design. The study subjects included were530 participants working at Assuit University Hospitals. The data collected through self – administered questionnaire includes demographic data sheet and nursing image questionnaire; it used for assessing the perception of physicians, nurses and employees toward nursing image. It was developed by the researcher based on related literatures and previous studied done by (Kabeel 2004). The tool consisted of six majors items each one contain number of sub items (total 41 items).The result of this study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference among the study participants regarding to the items related to the nursing image, and most factors affecting nursing profession. The study concluded that the majority of the study participants agreed that the most common factors affecting the nursing profession were: bad impression of general public about nursing profession, poor relationship between nurses and supervisors, the majority of the study participants did not prefer the nursing profession as a job, and had positive view as regards most items related to the nursing image. Based on the study findings and in order to help the nurses to be more committed for the profession and to maintain positive image as possible the following points are recommended: Activating the role of nurse and participation in decision-making, improving the communication system among nurse peers, nurse supervisors and nurse managers, successful strategies of marketing are important through the media (such as television, radio and newspapers) to maintain the powerful image of nursing profession and change negative public perception about nursing image. .