Nursing’s public image in the Republic of Georgia: A qualitative, exploratory study

Abstract

The public image of nursing is important because it can facilitate or create barriers to achieving an adequate supply of nursing human resources. This study sought to gain a better understanding of nursing’s professional image within the Republic of Georgia. The Nursing Human Resources Systems model was used to guide the study’s exploratory, qualitative approach. Data collection occurred over a 2‐week period in the Republic of Georgia, and thirty‐three participants formed the final study sample. Participants included healthcare professionals, key informants from nonprofit and research institutions, and patients. Data analysis occurred using directed content analysis techniques, and three themes emerged: (a) gender dimension; (b) the nursing service recipient experience; and (c) historical legacies. Themes revealed the complexities of nursing’s image in the country. Findings from this study serve as baseline data for understanding nursing’s image in the Republic of Georgia which could assist with improving pre‐entry nursing production issues.

Hemşi̇reli̇k Bölümü Bi̇ri̇nci̇ Sinif Öğrenci̇leri̇ni̇n Hemşi̇reli̇k Mesleği̇ne Yöneli̇k Tutumlari Ve İmaj Algilari

“…In another study conducted in Jordan, it was determined that nursing students generally have a significant positive perception about nursing image (Al Jarrah, 2013). It is stated that the public image of nursing professional in a country is one of the key influences on the production of nursing human resources (Squires et al, 2019). In this study, it is a favourable result that the nursing image of first year nursing students is high.…”

The image of nursing perceived by the society in the Covid‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study

“…A recent legal regulation in Turkey (the 2007 Law Amending the Nursing Law) permitted men to join the nursing profession 27 ; despite this, nursing is still seen in Turkey as a profession for woman 37,38 . Studies in different locations around the world agree that nursing is perceived as a female profession with lesser authority than doctors 4,7,11,39,40 . The number of male nurses has been increasing in recent years.…”

Discourse and manipulation: Nursing in question

“…For the purpose of discussion, we cite a review study carried out in Georgia, which, although holding limitations related to its main theme, identified that the historical legacy has a strong influence on the current representation that nurses had in that country. The studies showed an overvaluation of years of medical studies, as a standard of knowledge to be achieved, in addition to the fact that Nursing, being essentially a female practice, causes a decrease in nurses’ value, which in some cases was not even considered as a profession (Squires et al, 2019).…”