N 490 Module 1 Discussion: Issues and Trends in Professional Nursing

There are many reasons to become a nurse. Nurses enjoy being able to help others, and they feel a sense of satisfaction from working in a profession that is both challenging and rewarding. Nursing is also a very versatile field, and nurses can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private homes. Nurses are in high demand right now due to the current nursing shortage, and job prospects are expected to remain good for the foreseeable future (Ashraf et al., 2020). Nurses also enjoy good job security and earn competitive salaries. However, it is no secret that the public image of nursing has taken a hit in recent years.

Between high-profile cases of patient maltreatment and tales of working conditions that would make even the most hardened individual wince, it is no wonder that people are starting to think twice about going into nursing (Stewart et al., 2020). Despite the challenge and some bits of negative perceptions, it is important to remember that nurses are still some of the most compassionate and dedicated healthcare professionals out there. It is a tough job, and they do it day in and day out because they care about their patients. They are the front line of defense when it comes to safeguarding our health, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.

The public image of nursing is one that has evolved over time. Early on, nurses were seen as little more than caregivers or handmaidens. However, as the profession has grown and changed, so has the public perception of nurses. Today, nurses are widely respected for their knowledge and skills, and are seen as key members of the healthcare team (Stewart et al., 2020). Also, nursing is currently perceived as a profession for everyone, both male and female, young and old.

While the current public image of nursing is positive, it has not always been that way. In the past, nurses were often portrayed as unattractive, older women who were not very intelligent. This portrayal was largely due to the fact that most nurses were women and most women in that era did not have careers outside the home. As society has progressed and become more advanced many people are recognizing the importance of nursing profession. There are numerous events in history that has enabled many people develop passion in nursing profession and to transform its public image. One of the most significant events in nursing history is Florence Nightingale’s work during the Crimean War. She and a team of nurses were sent to provide care for British soldiers fighting in Crimea (Stewart et al., 2020). The conditions at the hospital were horrific, and Nightingale quickly realized that more needed to be done to improve hygiene and cleanliness. She worked tirelessly to make changes, and as a result, the death rate among patients decreased significantly. Her work was celebrated and she became an iconic figure in nursing history. Other important events that have transformed the image of nursing include: -The creation of the American Nurses Association in 1896, which helped to professionalize nursing and improve working conditions.

In summary, nursing has been traditionally seen as a woman’s profession, and its public image has often reflected that. Nurses were typically portrayed as caring and compassionate women who selflessly devoted themselves to their patients. However, in today’s world, the reality of nursing is much more complex and diverse than that simple stereotype.

References

Ashraf, A., Hamid, H. M., Taghi, S. M., & Fatemeh, H. N. (2020). The Public Nursing Image as Perceived by Nurses and Citizens: A Questionnaire Survey. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 13(3), 1611. http://internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/10_nabavi_original_13_3_4.pdf

Stewart, D., Kennedy, A., Schober, M., & Duignan, M. (2020). International council of nurses. In Advanced practice nursing leadership: A Global perspective (pp. 15-23). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-20550-8_2

Welcome to Module 1

Module 1 Discussion Question: Answer the following questions honestly – this is safe space to reflect and learn about topics we cover! Some students like to type their discussion post first in a Word document to check grammar, spelling and word count. Then they copy and paste it into the textbox. If you do this, you will need to use ‘ctrl v’ to paste it.

• Discuss the current public image of nursing and how events in history have formed that image.

Initial post is due on Thursday, Replies are due on Sunday. To be successful on the board:

• Meet the word requirement fully for all required posts. The minimum word count for your initial post is 400. Two replies must be 200 minimum for each one. Any initial post less than 400 words and any reply less than 200 will be docked points. Word count does not include the references at the bottom – most students miss points here by counting the references in their word count.
• All questions posed are answered fully in detail. Spelling and grammar are without errors.
• Two replies are insightful, educational and relevant to the learning experience.
• The directions state to use at least one scholarly source other than the textbook (or given materials) and cite in text in APA and reference in APA at the bottom.
• Correct APA is required in citations and references. All citations must have a reference and all references must be cited in the text.