1- Instructor, Department of Nursing, Kashmar Center of Higher Health Education, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. , sadeghnezhadh@mums.ac.ir
2- Instructor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Kashmar Center of Higher Health Education, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract: (2472 Views)
Introduction: Low nursing occupational prestige is the major challenge in nursing as a job in Iran. A high occupational prestige naturally causes self-esteem in the individuals and succeeding mainly with a job satisfaction.
Objective: Considering the importance and necessity of the nursing occupational prestige, this study aimed to evaluate occupational prestige and its relationship with some demographic characteristics of the nurses.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on all nurses occupied in the hospitals of Kashmar City in 2018, with 230 persons. Data were collected using a validated and reliable Nursing Occupational Prestige Questionnaire. Scores ranged 16-64. Scores 27-38 indicate low occupational prestige, 39-50 shows moderate occupational prestige, and 51-64 shows high occupational prestige. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics tests (Spearman correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U).
Results: The mean score of occupational prestige of the subjects was 44.09±6.18. Results showed that 21.3% (n=47) of participants had low occupational prestige, 65.5% (n=144) had moderate occupational prestige and 13.2% (n=29) had high occupational prestige. There was a significant relationship between occupational prestige and level of education (P=0.01), university of education (P=0.01), and nurses’ organizational position (P=0.05).
Conclusion: Most nurses had moderate occupational prestige. Nursing managers are recommended to develop a comprehensive plan to improve the occupational prestige of nurses working in hospitals. Since there is a significant relationship between the level of nursing education and the perception of occupational prestige, it seems that providing the appropriate conditions to enhance the level of nursing education can be effective in promoting the occupational prestige they feel they deserve.
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● Studying the nursing occupational prestige is a top research priority for nurses.
● Sufficient occupational prestige can reduce depression and job stress.
● Promoting occupational prestige can be associated with increased self-esteem for nurses.
● More attention to promoting occupational prestige in the presenting of nursing education programs seems necessary.
Plain Language Summary
Occupational prestige reflects the social status of the jobs. Respect for the dignity of an occupation indicates a fundamental path to human success. Nurses’ role in changing health care system, planning, and service delivery is crucial. But unfortunately, the general view toward nursing is not always a positive one. Many of the negative perceptions to the nursing as a profession are due to working as a subaltern of the physician, few job opportunities, and low payments. These issues can reduce nurses’ motivation to perform their occupational duties. On the other hand, the current shortage of nursing is also a serious challenge, which emphasizes the need to pay more attention to the occupational requirements of nurses. In this study, the occupational prestige of 220 nurses was evaluated in 2018, working in hospitals of Kashmar. The results showed that their occupational prestige was moderate. Of the demographic characteristics of the subjects, only the level of education, organizational position, and the university they are graduated from had a significant relationship with their occupational prestige. Based on the results, we propose to consider the importance of occupational prestige in nursing courses at different educational levels. Also, nursing occupational prestige will be enhanced by in-service training.
Article Type :
Research |
Subject:
General Received: 2019/10/4 | Accepted: 2019/11/10 | Published: 2020/01/1