The impact of COVID-19 on the social image of Nursing

Section: Originals

How to quote

Larre Villegas J. Influencia de la COVID-19 en la imagen social de la Enfermería. Metas Enferm dic 2022/ene 2023; 25(10):14-22. Doi: https://doi.org/10.35667/MetasEnf.2022.25.1003082027

Authors

Javier Larre Villegas

Position

Enfermero. Máster en Enfermería en Urgencias y Cuidados Críticos Intrahospitalarios. Universidad San Pablo-CEU. CEU Universities. Madrid (España)

Contact address

avier Larre Villegas. C/ San Restituto, 43. 28039 Madrid (España)

Contact email: javierlv33@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to describe the current perception of Nursing by society, and to understand how the representation of the Nursing profession in the social consciousness has changed with the healthcare emergency scenario of COVID-19.
Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study in the overall population and healthcare professionals, recruited through non-probabilistic sampling (the sample size achieved, n= 1.109, delivered absolute accuracy of 2,94%), through a questionnaire designed ad hoc.
Results: Nursing was considered a profession devoted to care and essential within the healthcare system (83.7%), but with low social recognition (53.8%), underpaid (48.4%) and perceived as a high-risk profession (93.3%). These professionals were considered to have university degree education (84.8%), and their most outstanding quality was knowledge (85.2%). The stereotype profile was a woman (92.8%), middle-aged (53.9%), wearing sanitary “pyjamas” (85.3%). 52.4% of the sample believed that the COVID-19 pandemic had changed their perception of Nursing; the importance of these professionals was acknowledged, and their performance was valued positively, inspiring feelings of admiration and respect towards them.
Conclusions: Nursing has been considered a profession devoted to care and essential within the healthcare system, but with low social recognition, underpaid, and perceived as a high-risk profession. The healthcare emergency experience has given visibility to nursing care. There has been a positive impact by the COVID-19 pandemic upon the social image of Nursing, revaluing it as a profession.

Keywords:

nurse image; public opinion; social perception; social image of nursing; COVID-19

Versión en Español

Título:

Influencia de la COVID-19 en la imagen social de la Enfermería