Attitudes of Nursing Students, Nurses and Public Towards to Nursing Profession and Associated Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of nursing students, nurses, and members of the public towards the nursing profession during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify factors associated with these attitudes. Methods: The study was conducted online between August and December 2020. The sample consisted of 356 nursing students, 323 nurses, and 304 public participants. Data were collected using the Attitude Scale for Nursing Profession (ASNP). Data was analysed through descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, one way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean ASNP score was 166.80±13.11 for nursing students, 161.54±14.33 for nurses and 158.15±17.75 for the public. The findings indicated that nursing students exhibited significantly more positive attitudes towards the profession compared to nurses, who in turn held more favourable views than public members (p<0.001). Among nursing students, variables such as voluntarily choosing the nursing department, perceiving an increase in the value of nursing during the pandemic, type of university attended, and family support during career selection were significantly associated with their attitudes (R²=0.215, p<0.001). For nurses, attitudes were significantly influenced by pandemicrelated stigma, gender, reduced motivation to work, considerations of resignation, fear of transmitting the virus to family members, and educational attainment (R²=0.130, p<0.001). In the public group, gender, improved perception of the nursing profession post-pandemic, and having a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 were significant predictors of attitudes (R²=0.128, p<0.001). Conclusion: Enhancing public attitudes towards the nursing profession may be achieved by disseminating accurate information regarding nurses’ educational background, professional roles, and contributions to healthcare through mass media, thereby increasing their visibility and societal recognition.