Impact of the korean public's perceived importance of nurses’ roles on nursing image Jang Yun-Jeong1, Lee Yeon-Joo1, Ahn Sung-Yun1,* 1Dept. of Nursing Science, Pai Chai University, Korea *Corresponding author: Sung-Yun Ahn Professor, Dept. of Nursing, Pai Chai University, Korea Email: syahn@pcu.ac.kr
Online published on 16 October, 2018. Abstract Background/Objectives A desirable nursing image among the public has a positive impact on nurses’ work performance, which in turn, supports professional growth of the nursing and, benefits patients by encouraging nurses to provide service. Methods/Statistical Analysis The study adopted a descriptive correlational design with the aims of examining whether prior experience of hospitalization translates into different nursing images among the general public and identifying the association between their perceived importance of nurses’ roles, favorability toward nurses, and the nursing image. We surveyed 100 participants selected among the general population in 5 cities from July 15th to August 15th, 2017. Findings The perceived importance of nurses’ roles among the general public showed a statistically significant correlation with their favorability toward nurses (r =.59, p <.001) and the nursing image (r =.43, p <.001). The perceived favorability toward nurses among the general public also demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the nursing image (r =.34, p <.001). In particular, a higher score in the perceived importance of nurses’ roles was positively and significantly correlated with nurses’ professional image (r =.53, p <.001). The perceived importance of nurses’ roles among the general public was found to significantly influence the nursing image, demonstrating an explanatory power of 17.7% (β =.43, p <.001). Improvements/Applications Our findings that the perceived importance of nurses’ roles among the public exerts great influence on their nursing image warrant public outreach efforts to raise awareness of the importance of nurses’ roles. Top Keywords Nursing image, importance of nursing roles, favorability toward nurses, traditional image, social image, professional image. Top |