2025
EQUANU: Equality in Societal and Professional Recognition of Nurses-A Cross-Sectional Study on Societal and Professional Recognition of European Nurses
ELYNE, De Baetselier; da Cunha Batalha Luis MANUEL; Sousa Pedro Seguro Jose MIGUEL; Nienke E DIJKSTRA; Vigdis Abrahamsen GRONDAHL et. al.Basic information
Original name
EQUANU: Equality in Societal and Professional Recognition of Nurses-A Cross-Sectional Study on Societal and Professional Recognition of European Nurses
Authors
ELYNE, De Baetselier; da Cunha Batalha Luis MANUEL; Sousa Pedro Seguro Jose MIGUEL; Nienke E DIJKSTRA; Vigdis Abrahamsen GRONDAHL; Jana HECZKOVA; Ann Karin HELGESEN; Rebeka LEKSE; Manuel LILLO-CRESPO; Alba MALARA; Laura PETRAGLIA; Andrea POKORNÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution); Mirko PROSEN; Styliani TZIAFERI and Tinne DILLES
Edition
Journal of Nursing Management, LONDON, WILEY-HINDAWI, 2025, 0966-0429
Other information
Language
English
Type of outcome
Article in a journal
Field of Study
30307 Nursing
Country of publisher
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Confidentiality degree
is not subject to a state or trade secret
References:
Impact factor
Impact factor: 3.700 in 2023
Organization unit
Faculty of Medicine
UT WoS
001433187800001
EID Scopus
2-s2.0-105000646806
Keywords in English
motivation; nurses; professional autonomy; professional practice; respect; social comparison; social identification; social status; work environment
Tags
International impact, Reviewed
Changed: 3/4/2025 13:33, Mgr. Tereza Miškechová
Abstract
V originále
Background: Despite trends towards greater professionalisation of the nursing profession and an improved public image in certain countries, studies also show that large proportions of the public still do not fully appreciate nurses' competencies. Mapping differences in the societal and professional recognition of nurses allows for benchmarking among countries. Aim: To investigate the level of societal recognition of the nursing profession in nine European countries, and the level of professional recognition perceived by European nurses themselves; to compare levels of recognition between countries; and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Through an online survey, the study surveyed both the general public and nurses from various healthcare settings across nine countries between December 2022 and June 2023. The instrument used was a combination of self-developed questions on societal and professional recognition, the Work Motivation Scale and an adapted version of the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. Data were analysed using SPSS v.29.0, with socioeconomic prestige scores for the public and work environment/work motivation scores for nurses calculated accordingly. Results: A total of 1618 adult citizens and 2335 nurses participated. The public predominantly characterised nurses with attributes such as friendliness, warmth, empathy and compassion. The mean socioeconomic prestige score assigned to nurses was 7.2/10 (SD 1.9), with Portugal having the highest score (M 7.5/10, SD 2.0) and Norway the lowest (M 5.8/10, SD 1.4; p < 0.001). Professional recognition experienced by nurses was generally low (54% indicated rather low, 17% very low). Slovenia, the Netherlands and Belgium had slightly higher mean scores (all M 1.4/3) compared to other countries (p < 0.001). High professional recognition could be predicted for 33% by work environment score (OR = 1.21; 95% CI [1.19-1.24]), work motivation score (OR = 1.02; 95%CI[1.01-1.02]), expertise outside the hospital (OR = 1.57; 95% CI [1.25-1.97]) and work experience (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.02]) corrected for country. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the professional and public image of the nursing profession while addressing disparities in professional recognition between countries. Longitudinal studies are recommended to monitor changes in public perception and professional recognition among nurses.