Problems thwarting nursing recruitment and retention
Inaccurate public perceptions of nursing
Perception that nursing is only for women
Perception that nursing is "too lowly"
Handmaiden stereotype
Angel stereotype
Image that advanced practice nurses are subcompetent stand-ins for physicians
"Naughty nurse" stereotype
Misbelief that only physician care matters
Invisibility of the nursing profession
Nurses rarely publicly speak about their work
The media rarely seeks out nurses for public opinion
Physicians take public credit for the work that nurses do
Media's reluctance to hold nurses accountable for their mistakes
Battle-axe stereotype
Insufficient respect for nursing clinical practice, education or research
Perception that nursing is a vocation, so nurses can and should be paid very little (See the article Why a Well-Paid Nurse is a Better Nurse)
Dangerous and disturbing working conditions for nurses
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse and sexual harassment
Emotional and psychological abuse
Horizontal violence
Unsafe environments for patients
Substitution of technicians for RNs
Lack of clinical nurse specialists
Mandatory overtime
Unsafe environments for nurses
Lack of no-lift policies and equipment (also see AJN editorial)
Lack of support for safe equipment and technology such as:
Retain nurses in the workforce
In addition to supporting nurses in the above areas, also:
Support their efforts to become certified in their fields
Staff units well
Last updated September 22, 2020