Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
author France L. Reed
title Beyond God's Work: A Thematic Analysis of Nurse Image During the COVID-19 Pandemic
abstract The Covid-19 Pandemic thrust nurses in the spotlight. The mass media, often responsible for neglecting nurses' contributions in times of disaster and creating unrealistic images of nurses, focused on the nursing profession. The internet is a powerful tool that can be used to shape nurse image. The Web 2.0 site, You Tube, is a popular video platform used throughout the world. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse image on You Tube during the Covid-19 pandemic and its implications on nurse professional identity, nurse self-concept, and public perception of nurses. A qualitative, descriptive design utilizing researcher-created checklists and manual coding to perform content and thematic analyses was employed. Content analysis of keywords resulted in 70% of videos in the sample including the words death/dying; 65% of videos including the word family; and 70% of videos including all or some of the words cry/crying, heartbreaking, take a toll, and tired. Content analysis of visual cues resulted in 100% of videos in the sample displaying a serious tone; 95% of videos containing intravenous medical supplies; and 50% of videos portraying nurses engaged in patient care. Thematic analysis resulted in nurses portrayed as three nurse images: saint, superhero and stressed soldier; and possessing five predominant characteristics: flexible, professional, dedicated, optimistic, and distressed. This study found that, aside from the traditional angelic saint image, two contemporary nurse images emerged. Nurses were portrayed as serious professionals; however, the public perception of nurses as superheroes was in stark contrast to nurse self-concept, as nurses, many in distress from working long hours caring for seriously ill patients, identified more with the stressed soldier. The one-dimensional view of nurses was replaced by a more realistic, multi-dimensional nurse. Media outlets should continue to portray nurses in a realistic manner, and future studies should explore contemporary nurse imagery.
school The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, Drew University
degree D.M.H. (2021)
advisor Merel Visse
committee Gaetana Kopchinsky
full textFLReed.pdf