Abstract

Obejective: The aim of the study is determine the effects of working of nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic process, with a reflections on the visual and written media, on the choices of nursing profession of nursing students.
Methods: The sample of this descriptive study consists of 80 first-year nursing students from Kocaeli University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nursing, who accepted to participate in the study in the 2020-2021 academic year. “Nursing Student Personal Information Form”, “Nursing Image Scale (NIS)” and “Scale of Vocational Choice in Nursing (SVCN)” were used to collect the research data.

Results: The Median and Q1-Q3 SVCN score of the nursing students was found to be 91.5, (73.5-118). Professional fitness sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 63.5, (49-82) and vital causes sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was determined as 27.5, (19,5-34,5). NIS median and Q1-Q3 score 73.0, (68-76), general appearance sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 15.0, (14-16), communication sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score was 16.0, (14-17), professional and physical qualities sub-dimension median and Q1-Q3 score were found to be 42.0, (40-43). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the median scores of the professional and physical qualities sub-dimension of those affecting the choice of profession were found to be significantly lower (p=0.033).

Conclusion: It was concluded that the first-year nursing students' thoughts about the nursing impression were positive and they chose nursing willingly and the media reflections of nurses during the pandemic process increased their sense of helping people.