How do male nursing students' voluntary activities affect their image in society?

Abstract

AimTo determine the effect of male nursing students' voluntary activities on their image in society. BackgroundThe role of voluntary nursing services in enhancing the visibility of nursing in society can also contribute to enhancing the image of male nurses in society. MethodsThis study employed a one-group, quasi-experimental pre-post analysis design. It was carried out between September 2020 and June 2021 in the pedestrian zone, which is one of the main streets of Bartin in Turkey. Using a convenience sampling approach, tradesmen aged 18 and over operating in commercial enterprises (n = 81) were asked to participate in the study. Information form and Nursing Image Scale were used to collect the research data. Results from the paired sample t test were utilized to analyse the study's data using the intervention of 'men nursing students' voluntary activities'. ResultsThe total Nursing Image Scale score of the participants was statistically considerably greater after the intervention than the pre-intervention score. Based on the paired sample t test results, it was observed that the participants obtained higher scores after the intervention than before in the gender sub-dimension as well as all other sub-dimensions of the Nursing Image Scale, and these results were statistically significant. ConclusionAccording to the findings of the study, volunteering by male nursing students improved both the profession of nursing and the perception of men in nursing in society. Implications for nursing/health policyThis study suggested that male nursing students' voluntary activities could be one of the strategies to overcome the nursing shortage due to its enhancing effect on the profession of nursing and the perception of men in nursing in society.