The social perception of nursing has changed substantially over the last few decades due to various factors which include sexism, NHS failings and media coverage. “One big problem is the unhealthy media portrayal of the profession, which plays a key role in forming and reinforcing popular attitudes. Even television dramas affect the public's views and decisions about health care” (Summers and Summers, 2010). The media is an enormous force influencing peoples’ beliefs globally in the same way that a politician will influence their political party, and with the ease of social media in the current day, news is travelling faster than ever. There are many aspects with relation to this topic that could be discussed, but the stereotyping of nurses
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The Nursing and Midwifery Council are the governing body for nurses and have produced “The Code” which is a series of professional and personal standards expected of nurses. The Code states that nurses must consider the reputation of the profession and act as a role model to instil trust from patients and care receivers (NMC Code, 2015). If nurses were all to follow the guidelines and improve their professionalism, then the trust gained from the public would only serve them positively. This leads on to Hall and Ritchie stating that “The way in which the public perceives nursing significantly influences nurses’ job satisfaction.” (Hall and Ritchie, …show more content…
“Nursing has for many years been represented within the media as being a feminine occupation.” (Hall and Ritchie, 2013) The whole nursing profession is undoubtedly full of gender stereotypes which are prevalent in our society. Goodman (2015, p26) discusses the fact that stereotypes are generally negative, and that many people in our culture perceive nursing to be an all-female occupation, despite around 10% of nurses in the UK being male. This is the highest proportion of male nurses ever recorded.
Hall and Richie (2013) explain that the word “nurse” is from the Latin ‘nutrire’ which means to nourish or suckle, so the term was historically related to feminine attributes, and as such, nursing has always been considered a female profession.
There will of course be disadvantages to being a male nurse in a predominantly female environment, which could include the lack of a male role model. Hall and Richie (2013) discuss the considerable effects of stereotyping, and how the individuals can become targets or excluded, which will interfere with their work. As well as being immoral, this is also illegal to discriminate someone because of their gender (Equality Act, 2010).
Roger Cobley (2016) suggests that it is of public opinion that having more male nurses will serve the profession positively as people see men as family providers,
The Nursing and Midwifery Council are the governing body for nurses and have produced “The Code” which is a series of professional and personal standards expected of nurses. The Code states that nurses must consider the reputation of the profession and act as a role model to instil trust from patients and care receivers (NMC Code, 2015). If nurses were all to follow the guidelines and improve their professionalism, then the trust gained from the public would only serve them positively. This leads on to Hall and Ritchie stating that “The way in which the public perceives nursing significantly influences nurses’ job satisfaction.” (Hall and Ritchie, …show more content…
“Nursing has for many years been represented within the media as being a feminine occupation.” (Hall and Ritchie, 2013) The whole nursing profession is undoubtedly full of gender stereotypes which are prevalent in our society. Goodman (2015, p26) discusses the fact that stereotypes are generally negative, and that many people in our culture perceive nursing to be an all-female occupation, despite around 10% of nurses in the UK being male. This is the highest proportion of male nurses ever recorded.
Hall and Richie (2013) explain that the word “nurse” is from the Latin ‘nutrire’ which means to nourish or suckle, so the term was historically related to feminine attributes, and as such, nursing has always been considered a female profession.
There will of course be disadvantages to being a male nurse in a predominantly female environment, which could include the lack of a male role model. Hall and Richie (2013) discuss the considerable effects of stereotyping, and how the individuals can become targets or excluded, which will interfere with their work. As well as being immoral, this is also illegal to discriminate someone because of their gender (Equality Act, 2010).
Roger Cobley (2016) suggests that it is of public opinion that having more male nurses will serve the profession positively as people see men as family providers,