Nursing Image From the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals During the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Cross-Sectional Study

In this study, the goal was achieved to examine the nursing image from the perspective of healthcare professionals in the post-COVID-19 period. This descriptive study was conducted with the participation of n = 264 healthcare professionals working in a training and research hospital. A personal Information Form and Nursing Image Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive methods, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test were used in data analysis. Sixty-three point three percent of the healthcare professionals were women and 76.9% were nurses. Sixty-three point six percent of healthcare professionals had COVID-19 and 84.8% had worked without leave during the pandemic. In the post-COVID-19 period, 39% of the healthcare professionals were in partial anxiety and 36.7% were in constant anxiety. Personal characteristics of healthcare professionals did not have a statistical impact on nursing image scale scores. From the perspective of healthcare professionals, the total score of the nursing image scale was moderate. The lack of a strong nursing image may trigger poor care practices.