J Nurs Acad Soc.  1978 Dec;8(2):39-50.

A Study for Relationship Between the Femininity and the Nursing Image of Nursing Students

• Sung HR

Abstract

The present research set out to further validate the results that Stromborg (1976) obtained in which a correlation (r= .22, p < .001) was found between the femininity of woman nursing students and their image of nursing. In addition the experimenter set out to elucidate any possible differences in the image of nursing according to (a) religion, (b) the motivation for choosing nursing as well as, (c) the particular area in which the students hoped to work after graduating. The research was conducted by presenting questionnaire type scales including a femininity scale and a nursing image scale, to 301 graduating students attending 4 Three-year nursing schools located within Seoul from November 21st, 1978 to November 30th. The results: 1. There was clearly no relation between femininity and the image of nursing as such (r= .01, p > .43). But upon analyzing the results along five subdimensions of the nursing image variable it was discovered that: (a) if femininity is low, the nursing student tend to view the educational preparation for becoming a nurse in a more positive light (r= -.10,p< .05),and (b) if femininity is high, the students tend to perceive their social role with a positive frame of mind (r= .15, p < .005). 2. There was a significant difference found in the image of nursing as related to the religion of the nursing students, The means ranked as follows (high scores indicate a positive image of the nursing profession). Catholic > Protestant > no religion > Buddhist 3. The difference in the nursing image according to motivation for sellecting the profession emerged as quite significant (F=6.92, p < .001). The rank of the means when the subject group is divided along the dimension of motive is as follows (ranking begins with the most positive nursing image): (a) The profession itself seemed good; (b) after marriage one can do a social type of activity; (c) significant others' advice; (d) the profession matches their high school grade record; (e) it matches the economic situation of the student; (f) no particular reason for their choice; (g) it's easy to get a nursing job after graduation. 4. The particular area of nursing one intended to go into after graduation varied significantly in terms of the image of nursing (F=3.03, P < .005). The means when ranked starting with those having the most positive image of the profession: (a) nurses helping deliveries; (b) hospital nurses; (c) nursing education; (d) school nurses; (e) government nurse supervisors; (f) public health nurses; (g) (students not going into any profession); (h) (students not going into the nursing profession but into some other area).

MeSH Terms

Education, Nursing
Female
Femininity*
Hope
Humans
Marriage
Motivation
Nurses, Public Health
Nursing*
Protestantism
Surveys and Questionnaires
Schools, Nursing
Seoul
Students, Nursing*
Weights and Measures