May 19,2012
Introduction One of the most diverse and powerful profession is nursing. Although it is a powerful profession the image of nursing does not reflect this. The importance of nursing is shaped by the images people see as patients, family members, members of a community and in the media. Over time there have been many images of nursing from angels to sexual cartoons. There have been many nurses who have had a voice and portrayed nursing in a positive light. Leaders and educators within the nursing profession must be the voice of the nursing profession to empower nurses to engage journalist, media, and the public in the profession of nursing. …show more content…
One of the most iconic images of nurses is Florence Nightingale who is still perceived as the leader of research and promoting the nursing profession. Florence Nightingale was a voice for nursing by changing perceptions of nursing through her efforts to reform the British military health care system, education, and research, especially in hygiene and reduction of death rates due to infections. It was her work during the Crimean War that started the tales of the “Lady with the Lamp” (Small, 2000). She had over 200 publications, with her most famous and well known book Notes on Nursing which served as the curriculum at the Nightingale school of nursing and eventually other schools. Throughout her career she continued promoting the need to improving patient care by utilizing the press (Monteiro, 1985). Upon her death she had become one of the most influential women of the 19th century. Her lantern represents the positive light of the nursing …show more content…
Nurse leaders and executives within an organization have the capability of networking with professional associations and committees to utilize their power within the organization to shape policies and make decisions (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Promoting a nursing career should be a professional obligation and should be incorporated in every nursing school and organization. There are varied ways that the image of nursing can be changed. Communication which can reflect interest or disengagement is very important, and nurse leaders can act as role models for staff by promoting the image of nursing, and promoting further education and networking. This is will allow the public view nurses in a positive light, and also assists in educating the public in all the services nursing profession has to offer. Nurse leaders can also promote a positive image for nursing by visiting and speaking at their local high schools and colleges to encourage and recruit potential future nurses. Organizations need to take steps in describing what nurses do and the contributions nurses provide to the