Professional mage and the Nursing Uniform

Background: Traditional nursing uniforms have evolved and influenced nursing image, but professional image in nursing is unique and unclear. Institutional policies dictate uniform and appearance standards that portray professionalism in health care environments. Method: Nurses were questioned using three structured open-ended questions about the nursing uniform and its effects on patients' perceptions of professionalism. Qualitative line-by-line analyses of transcribed data were conducted to identify emerging themes using van Manen's phenomenology. Results: Participants wore varying uniforms while in nursing school. The influences of uniform evolution on patients' perceptions of professionalism were acknowledged along with current challenges in maintaining a professional image in nursing. Conclusion: Findings will be used for future exploration of the concept of professional image to improve educational practices that promote a professional work environment and professional image for the discipline.