Topic of this week: The media portray many images of nursing, some favorable and some unfavorable.
Does media portrayal of nursing affect how patients perceive nurses as authority figures? Why or why not? Think about nursing stereotypes and discuss the ways you can influence the public image of nursing.
Discuss the various roles nurses can play that support the real image of nursing. Think about community health care and preventive services for all, but especially the underserved.
Discuss the answer of two of your classmates.
Classmate 1: Does media portrayal of nursing affect how patients perceive nurses as authority figures? Why or why not? Think about nursing stereotypes and discuss the ways you can influence the public image of nursing.
I believe that the media does portray nurses very different than what they really are. This is whether it comes to the news or when it comes to fictional shows or movies. Many of the time they do not show all the work that nurses really have to put in within just one shift. In fictional movies and shows a lot of the skills that nurses perform were portrayed as the physician doing them. Which is unrealistic because the physicians do not do wound care, they do not start lines or administer medications, etc. The only time where nurses were really given the credit they deserved was throughout the pandemic. They were showing how they were suffering through staffing shortages, unfair assignments and lack of resources. One of the most important things now is the direct access that everyone has to social media. Nurses were able to use their platforms and speak up about what really goes on in the day of a nurse and the struggles they face on the day to day.
Discuss the various roles nurses can play that support the real image of nursing. Think about community health care and preventive services for all, but especially the undeserved.
One the many roles as a nurse is to be an educator. By educating on the importance of health processes and maintenance they are serving as an advocate for health. (Godsey et al., 2020) This pandemic brought about many education opportunities when it came to prevention of acquiring coronavirus, the importance of being vaccinated, and much more. By exposing the world through what a nurse goes through and witnesses amongst their patients they use it as a learning and teaching experience for the community. We are living in a world where nursing and technology is constantly evolving and we are able to show the world the reality of the healthcare system.
References
Godsey, J. A., Houghton, D. M., & Hayes, T. (2020). Registered nurse perceptions of factors contributing to the inconsistent brand image of the nursing profession. Nursing outlook, 68(6), 808–821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.06.005
Classmate 2: Does media portrayal of nursing affect how patients perceive nurses as authority figures? Why or why not? Think about nursing stereotypes and discuss the ways you can influence the public image of nursing.
The nursing profession’s image is extremely important. It is how others, particularly the general public, view the profession. Nurses can be influenced by their image, and if people perceive them negatively, they may feel dissatisfied or less successful. In TV shows, movies, literature, and other forms of media, nurses are regularly portrayed in stereotypically inaccurate ways. These misrepresentations give a severely distorted picture of nursing’s role in patient care, leading to actual patients misunderstanding the essential role nurses play in their care. Participating in media training and completing interviews can help nurses strengthen their messaging. They can reach a broader audience by combining traditional and new media.
Discuss the various roles nurses can play that support the real image of nursing. Think about community health care and preventive services for all, but especially the underserved.
Nurses’ key role in promoting the profession’s genuine image is to be ambassadors for our patients’ health and well-being, particularly those from underserved communities. Patient education and illness management are two more important nursing responsibilities that can have a big impact on the profession’s reputation. Additional ways nurses may assist the nursing image include teaching conflict resolution skills, improving communication, and encouraging team building. Nurses can influence public perception of their profession by attending local events, reaching out to local media who cover health care, and presenting as experts on healthcare trends.
Barnett, D. (1993). New roles for Nurses. Nursing Standard, 7(25), 24–25. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.7.25.24.s43 (Links to an external site.)
Garcia, R., & Qureshi, I. (2021). Nurse identity: Reality and media portrayal. Evidence Based Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103480
