An Analysis of Public Perception vs. Nurses' Characteristics

This essay delves into the discrepancies between the public's stereotypical view of nurses, often influenced by mass media, and the actual characteristics nurses believe are essential for their profession. The introduction defines stereotypes and highlights the differences between the public's image and the reality of nursing. The main body explores how public perception and media representation impact nurses' roles, analyzing studies on nursing applicants and their perceptions of the job. The essay examines the importance of compassionate care, decision-making skills, and the diverse qualities nurses possess, such as professionalism, communication, and empathy. It also discusses the influence of stereotypes on career choices and the portrayal of nurses in the media, contrasting traditional views with modern expectations. The conclusion summarizes the essay's findings, emphasizing the impact of stereotypes and the need for equal opportunities within the medical field. The essay aims to provide insights into the challenges and rewards of the nursing profession, highlighting the gap between public perception and the realities of healthcare.

Public stereotypical view of the
characteristics of a nurse and nursing against
the nurses’ view of what are the necessary
characteristics of a nurse

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
In social psychology, a stereotype is an over-generalised belief of large number of
individuals related to a particular category or people. It has been assumed that stereotype is true
and applicable to each and every individual. In this essay, a comparison is going to be included
where actual characteristic of nurse is compared by the perception of public mass media image.
With the help of these comparison it can easily be identified that there is a huge difference
between actual image of nurses and perception of people (Karlou and Patiraki, 2015). Apart from
this, it includes detailed analysis of actual perception of individual regarding nurses or medical
practitioner.
MAIN BODY
Stereotype refers to a false or negative classificatory concept which is a rule of emotional
feeling of likes and dislikes, approval or disapproval and many more. It has been identified that
stereotype is defined as an attitude or perception of individual person which can be both positive
and negative (Browne and et. al., 2018). In other words, it has been said that stereotype is define
as an individual’s perceptions, judgement or behaviour about a person or self which is acquired
by the society or culture. In the present context, it has been defined that the public image of
nurses is that there are medical practitioners who mainly works in order to provide medical
treatments to their patients. It has been identified that some people think that nurses and medical
practitioner are quite strict in nature but in reality, it has been identified that they are work
oriented and highly determined towards their job. It has been analysed that perception of
individuals and mass media highly affect the real characteristic of nurses in both positive as well
as negative manner (Christensenand et. al.,2016).
With the help of an analysis it has been identified that there is a program where 18
nursing applicants’ participants where data is being collected with the help of interview method.
Collected data is further analysed by using an inductive analysis approach. At last four main
perception of human are founded which includes characteristics of a nurse or medical
practitioner, scope of nursing responsibilities, possibility of having career in nursing and nature
of work. As per the opinion of some individuals it has been analysed that some of the female
nurse’s chose night shift which negatively present their image in front of public. But in reality, it
is the kind of profession which requires both day as well as night shifts in order to provide

treatment and care to their patients. This is the need of their job role which is required to perform
by them and comes under ethical consideration (Burke, Walker and Clendon, 2015). In addition
to this, it has also been concluded that there are ample number of individuals who thinks that if
females work at night is not safe and secure for them and might create there character negative.
But on the other hand, according to an analysis it has been identified that females are the ones
who perform their work effectively and produce positive outcome. It has also been analysed that
female staff take care of their patient more efficiently than male staff.
In addition, it has been identified that mass media highly manipulates the thinking of
individuals and society (Finkelman, 2017). It has been said that individual’s decision making
might get affected by the method of stereotyping which affect there career in both positive as
well as negative manner. It is required to have a female staff or nurses within the clinic as it is
essential for the safety measure for the patients. As per the human perception, it has been said
that female nurses or medical practitioner do not perform their work effectively. But on the other
hand it has been identified that females staff are the one who handle all the negative situation in
an effective manner. They produce positive outcome within given time frame and provide best
care to their patients (McBride, 2019). All these perceptions of human being highly affect the
society and their decision-making process in both positive and a negative manner.
The practising nurses as well as individual aspiring for this doing this profession in order
to enhanced acknowledgement and knowledge of how to treat patients? How patients respond
and receive the health information? Along with this, How health details can be reported to
individual or public with help of mass media platform?.
It has been analysed that role of most of nurses are important and necessary to be very
compassionate as well as very helpful as sometimes they are not. In addtion to this, they are
effective and capable for taking an difficult decisions and administering and handling patients
with the right medical care if doctor is not present at that time (Giardina-Roche and Black,
2016).
Each and every Nurse have are some of the different and best qualities which make them
an exceptional and best nurse in current field. Such characteristics are high standards of
professionalism, never-ending diligence, exceptional communication skills, effective
interpersonal skills, attention to detail, quick problem-solving abilities, action-oriented,
empathetic disposition, solid stamina, sense of humour. The field or study of nursing can be a

difficult but also it is rewarding too, as it is a complex role to perform by any individual in
effective and efficient manner (Rodwell and Gulyas, 2017).
However, there is no scope for doubting that profession of nursing is very typicle and
complex. Thus, its role is very is apodictic that this profession demands as well as request all the
duties & responsibilities to perform. Where the foregone timer demands and has sets principle
that a nurse was a person which focuses on providing care & comfort to each and every patient.
Nowadays, nurse can be a client advocate, educator or top manager.
Hence, perception of public towards the nurse is different to person to person. According
to some people, nursing refers to caring for someone which is in distress condition. As nurse
have proper knowledge about caring and also they can give profitable comfort zone to patient or
someone who is in need and required to help (Ifinedo, 2016). In addition to this, some of the
people understand that a nurse is just a person who help and assists the doctor while during as
well as the after treatment of illness of patient. Thus, It focuses on keeping up patient personal
hygiene, giving the timely medications and treatment as prescribed by doctor. Furthermore, they
help patient in dressing their wounds when they needed and ensures that welfare of patient in
effective and efficient manner.
However, Patient satisfaction is considered when nurse take-care of its patients with best
quality care. Thus, now a days, the mass media is an platform where slightingly portrays and
represents nurses which does they comparison with conventional timer period where nurses are
treated by respect. Although, the mass media platform has changed view and perception towards
nurse in society (D’Amico and et. al., 2016).
Although, all these mass media picture of nurses has impairment and damage the society
understanding towards nursing as it highlights an antique or unfashionable myth as well as some
different expectations and beliefs about effective nursing (Wei and Huang, 2016).
Furthermore, the portrayal of nurses to the public by mass media has analysed that low status
people has compared nursing with those different professions that are present in all over the
world such as doctors, manager, lawyers, business man, architects and Engineers etc. If it is
compared with thinking of society than it is wrong for women to work in any field. If women are
working and work in a night shift then it is considers as non-ethical as per the culture of society.
In addition to this and in context to present scenario they has no issue as this is a part of their
working as their working shifts frequently changes accordant to their hospital condition and

requirements (Olans, and DeMaria Jr, 2015). The whole society believes that nurses are very
strict towards their patients as they stop them not touch any of obstacles. But they says these
works for the sake of patients which will benefit to them. As it do not want to hurt their patients
and it also can become an infection to them which can be very harmful for any patient. Thus,
each and every nurse fully focuses on taking care of their patient in effective and proper manner
which will help their patient to recover fast (Matthew-Maich and et. al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
From the above-mentioned, it is analysed that perception of nurse and nursing is different
from individual to individual. As both Stereotyping as well as portrayal of nurses to public by
mass media is very different. The above essay includes comparison and some findings which
tells about public views towards nurses and nursing. Along with this, some important
characteristics which are very necessary for nurses or nursing in effective and efficient manner.
Apart from this, it has also been concluded that large number of individuals and their decision-
making process get affected by the stereotype methodologies. In addition, it is required to
provide similar opportunities to both male and female staff members working within the medical
field.

REFERENCES
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