Nursing Image in Media: Portrayal, Impact, and Advocating for Change

This report provides an analysis of the contrasting images of nurses as depicted in the media. It explores the negative portrayals, such as sexual stereotypes, and the positive representations as caregivers and sources of support. The report discusses the impact of media portrayal on public perception, recruitment, and patient care. It identifies key issues, including the need for promoting nursing leadership and political efficacy. The report advocates for changes through media campaigns, posters, and community engagement to improve the image of the nursing profession. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of positive portrayals to encourage students to pursue nursing careers and to improve the healthcare system. References include academic sources that support the findings and recommendations.

Running Head: EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

1EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
Executive Summary:
The report aims to deliver a brief knowledge of the two contrasting figures of nursing occupation
portrayed in today’s media. The report consists of the empowerment of nursing image, followed
by nursing portrayal and its effects and influences on the health care system today. Issue
identification is also discussed along with the political efficacy of the subject. Certain measures
are also discussed which can bring about a change in the nursing depiction and its perception in
today’s world. The report concludes by impacting the society in a positive way by bringing about
the change in the society’s mindset of nursing career.

2EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................3
Reaction to the video:..................................................................................................................3
Portrayal of nursing to the media:...............................................................................................3
Issue identification from the campaign for action website:.........................................................4
Political efficacy description:......................................................................................................4
Advocating for the change:..........................................................................................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................5
References:......................................................................................................................................6

3EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
Introduction:
The report discusses about the two contrasting images of nursing in today’s world. Nurses can be
depicted as a figure of sexual pleasure in cartoons and politics. On contrary it is also depicted as
a source of mental peace and satisfaction during adverse situations. The aim of this report is to
bring about a change in the depicting procedure of the nursing character and its influences on the
society.
Discussion:
Reaction to the video:
The video depicts two images of a nurse in the minds of the people. During initial days and in
cartoon characters, nurses were depicted as sexual stereotypes who played a role of amusement
among the patients. This has a negative impact on the society. Such portrayal of nurses hinders
the actual image of the nurse to a patient which might hamper the therapeutic procedure. This
might have a negative impact on the health of the patient and feel shy to share the problems with
the nurse (Glerean et. al., 2017). However, in today’s modern world, the image of nursing has
changed totally. The nurses are viewed as an angel of mercy whose restless effort and hard work
saves the life of a patient in emergency cases.
Portrayal of nursing to the media:
The media has a very negative nursing portrayal which affects the thought and mind of people.
The media hinders the respect of the nurses in the society. It has an impact on the perception of
nurses by the public and also hampers the recruitment process. Nurses are depicted in demeaning
roles and as sexual and frivolous objects for the male doctors. Such depictions has decreased the
number of people for choosing nursing as a career in life (Miller, Livingstone & Ronneberg,

4EMPOWERING THE NURSING IMAGE
2016). It reduces the communication between the patient and the nurse which is very crucial for
health care of the patient. It affects the mindset of the people in the society and they become
hesitant to get admitted to the hospitals which leads the disease to prevail.
Issue identification from the campaign for action website:
Issue: Promoting Nursing Leadership
Certain steps can be undertaken by the nurse herself which would lead to more prominence of
the nursing character. A nurse should be bold enough to raise her voice and decision. She should
be able to connect to her expertise matter and topic of interest (Fink, 2019). The viewers should
be able to understand the enthusiasm of the nurse and she should choose the correct set of people
for her introduction. These techniques must be followed in order to gain a position in the society.
Political efficacy description:
Media is a part of political affairs all over the world. Media can help to retain the image of a
nurse as well as erase the image of a nurse. Political parties can help to establish a good image of
the nursing profession through media advertisements. A positive sense needs to be established in
the minds of young people of the society.
Advocating for the change:
The nursing image in people’s minds can be influenced through media, posters, campaigns and
social media groups. Posters that portray a contrasting difference in the roles of nursing through
imagery or quotations can help influence people’s mind. Nurses can advocate for promoting
health, engage themselves in community services and educate the patients. Public campaigns can
be proceeded with the help of nurse and spread public awareness about disease and injury

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prevention, providing care and assisting in curing from a disease. They can participate in
rehabilitation programs and provide mental support to the neighbors.
Conclusion:
The report concludes with certain strategies that can be adopted by the media and the political
parties to bring a positive sense towards the nursing profession and encourage students to take up
the profession. The society has started to wipe out the negative image of the nurses.

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References:
Fink, J. (2019). Charting Nursing’s Future. Retrieved 24 July 2019, from
https://campaignforaction.org/speak-up-how-one-nurse-turned-a-chance-encounter-into-
a-front-page-story/
Glerean, N., Hupli, M., Talman, K., & Haavisto, E. (2017). Young peoples' perceptions of the
nursing profession: An integrative review. Nurse Education Today, 57, 95-102.
Miller, E. A., Livingstone, I., & Ronneberg, C. R. (2016). Media portrayal of the nursing homes
sector: A longitudinal analysis of 51 US newspapers. The Gerontologist, 57(3), 487-500.