What motivates young Arab Muslim women to choose nursing as a profession: A cross-sectional study

AIM

This study examines the impact of nurse uniforms, the coronavirus pandemic, and the image of nurses and the nursing profession on the career choice of young Muslim Arab women in nursing, with a focus on policy implications.

BACKGROUND

The global nursing shortage poses significant challenges, including in Israel. Attracting young Muslim Arab women to nursing careers is vital. Understanding how nurse uniforms, the pandemic, and perceptions of nurses and the nursing profession shape their career decisions can inform policy interventions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study utilized digital questionnaires administered to 200 Muslim Arab women aged 20-30 in Israel. The study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist for cross-sectional studies.

RESULTS

Only 29.2% of participants expressed interest in studying nursing. Findings revealed a positive correlation between the pandemic's impact and intention to pursue nursing. A linear regression analysis shows the impact of the white uniform, the image of nurses, and the image of the profession on the choice of a career in nursing.

DISCUSSION

The study emphasizes the significance of nurse uniforms, the image of nurses, and the image of the nursing profession in shaping young Muslim Arab women's career choices in nursing. Policy interventions should raise awareness about nursing roles, expand responsibilities, and highlight nurses' contributions to society.

CONCLUSION

Strategies to attract young Muslim Arab women to nursing careers should address nurse uniforms, the image of nurses, and the image of the nursing profession.

IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY

Policy interventions should prioritize diversity, promote positive images of nurses and the nursing profession, and raise awareness of nursing roles and contributions among young Muslim Arab women.

Celluloid zombies: A research study of nurses in zombie-focused feature films

AIM

To explore how nurses, who are the principal character of zombie-focused feature films are portrayed.

DESIGN

A mixed methods study with a quantitative exploration of 44,000 feature film synopsis and additional online material for films made between 1900 and 2018 was used. Zombie-focused films (485) were reviewed for their genre, county, year of production, and plot-lines. Ten zombie films featuring nurses in key roles were analysed via an interpretive, qualitative thematic analysis. The study was undertaken between May 2018 - November 2018.

METHOD

A quantitative review of film synopses and relevant movie specific web sites or key literature for the word, 'zombie' and/or 'zombie nurse' and an interpretive, qualitative thematic analysis of nurse specific zombie films.

RESULTS

Most of the 485 zombie-focused films located were produced or co-produced in the USA. Only 115 zombie-focused feature films were identified with health professionals, of these, 27 films featured nurses, 10 with nurses in the main role. Nurses were portrayed as romantic, sexualized, caring, self-sacrificial and strong or evil, however, the over-arching representation of nurses in zombie films was tied to the depravity from which zombie sub-culture is based.

CONCLUSION

Few zombie films feature nurses in the main role. However, the negative, violent and deprived nature of this genre offers a poor reflection on nursing.

IMPACT

How nurses are portrayed in films is important because it influences how the public, patients, and nurses themselves view their profession and role. Understanding the way nurses are portrayed may help professional bodies to better prepare recruitment material.