Nursing students' professional image in the Covid‐19 pandemic in Turkey: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background Nursing students' professional perceptions are affected by the environment they live in. Nursing students think that the nursing profession is important during the pandemic. Purpose This descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine the nursing students' professional image perceptions and the affecting factors during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Turkey. Methods The research population consisted of all nursing students ( N = 750) of two universities in Turkey. The research data were collected using a personal information form and the Scale for the Image of Nursing Profession (SINP). Results Of the students, 76.4% were not infected with Covid‐19, 30.8% had an individual in their family infected with Covid‐19; 34% had an immediate family member who died of Covid‐19; 99.4% thought that the nursing profession is important during the Covid‐19 pandemic. A statistically significant difference was found between the place where the students live and the SINP ( p < .05). Conclusion The students' image perceptions toward the nursing profession were found to be at a good level. This indicates that image perception toward nursing profession has increased during the pandemic. It can be said that the place where the students are in the pandemic process and their thoughts about the nursing profession affect their professional image perceptions.

Investigating Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Nursing Students During Remote Learning: An Experience from Dong A University, Vietnam

“…Furthermore, the problems of nursing students with stress, anxiety, and depression were different in different research in different countries. Dastan and colleagues performed research on the mental health of nursing students in Turkey in 2021 (38.2% with Stress, 58.8% with Anxiety, and 56.3% with Depression) (Dastan et al, 2021), Rasmussen and coworkers carried out research on the mental health of Australian nursing students in 2021 (55% with Stress, 52.7% with Anxiety, and 63.8% with Depression) (Rasmussen et al, 2021), which were higher ratio than in this current study. Otherwise, the prevalence of nursing students who had problems with stress, anxiety, and depression in this research was higher than that of Juan Gao report which was conducted from 12–13 April 2020 in China (Gao et al, 2021).…”

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

“…Although there are studies on the image of nursing in society, there are limited studies conducted specifically during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Most of the studies on society's perception of nursing have been conducted with nurses and nursing students 21,22 . There is no study conducted on society's perception of nursing during the Covid‐19 pandemic period in Turkey.…”

“…A study in Turkey revealed that nurses are seen as people who perform care services and assist physicians, but they are also evaluated as qualified and have good communication skills 6 . Some studies, although the image of nursing is not very good, it states that it is perceived at a moderate 26 or good level 21,22 . The image of nursing held by society is at odds with the definition of nursing set forth in a law enacted in Turkey in 2011; according to this law, nursing is defined as a profession with areas of expertize 27…”

“…Most of the studies on society's perception of nursing have been conducted with nurses and nursing students. 21 , 22 There is no study conducted on society's perception of nursing during the Covid‐19 pandemic period in Turkey.…”

“… 6 Some studies, although the image of nursing is not very good, it states that it is perceived at a moderate 26 or good level. 21 , 22 The image of nursing held by society is at odds with the definition of nursing set forth in a law enacted in Turkey in 2011; according to this law, nursing is defined as a profession with areas of expertize. 27…”