The nurses’ uniform in pediatrics, the opinion of children and nurses
Keywords:
nurs* uniform, pediatric nurs*, child*, nurs* identification, uniform colorAbstract
Background and aim: The nursing uniform represents a non-verbal mean of communication which in the case of children can arouse positive or negative emotions. The first study conducted on a sample of 107 children, aimed to define their preferences on different models of decorated nursing uniforms; the second one conducted on 101 nurses to understand the preferences, the meanings attributed to the uniform and their availability to adapt it according to the preferences expressed by the children. Methods: We conducted an observational study with a qualitative approach. For the first objective with the children, a visual stimulus was used, showing 6 models of uniform: the traditional plus 5 models of different colors and themes (cartoons characters and videogames). For the second objective with the nurses, in addition to reproducing the same visual stimulus, a semi-structured questionnaire was used. Results: Children and nurses seem to be in perfect accord, because in both groups, color models were the most chosen. Nurses defined their uniform with terms of particular moral, intellectual and professional value and declared themselves available to align with the preferences of the children. Conclusions: This study leaves little doubt about preferences; it also represents the true originality of the study because almost never in the literature have been compared the point of views of children and professionals, generally favoring the comparison between children and care givers. Our findings could represent a further landmark for guiding the choices of health organizations on currencies to be adopted in the pediatric field. (www.actabiomedica.it)
References
2. Desta EA, Gebrie MH & Dachew BA. Nurse uniform wearing practices and associated factors among nurses working in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study. BMC Nurs 2015;14.1:65.
3. Hatfield LA, Pearce M, Del Guidice M, Cassidy C, Samoyan J & Polomano RC. The professional appearance of registered nurses: an integrative review of peer-refereed studies. J Nurs Adm 2013;43(2),108-112.
4. Timmons S, East L. Uniforms, status and professional boundaries in hospital. Sociol Health Illn 2011;33(7),1035–1049.
5. Wiener-Well Y, Galuty M, Rudensky B, Schlesinger Y, Attias D & Yinnon AM. Nursing and physician attire as possible source of nosocomial infections. Am J Infect Control 2011;39(7), 555-559.
6. Hawes D. Who's who in Dickens. Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames 2006.
7. Dolan JA, Fitzpatrick ML & Herrmann EK. Nursing in society: A historical perspective. WB Saunders Co, Philadelphia 1983.
8. Manzoni E. Storia e filosofia dell'assistenza infermieristica. Masson, Issy les Moulineaux 1996.
9. Clendon J. New Zealand military nurses fight for recognition: World War One-World War Two. Nurs Prax N Z inc 1997;12(1),24-28.
10. Bruton J. Speaking out...the role of uniform in defining the nurse-patient relationship. Nurs Times 1999;95:5-11,19.
.
11. Nightingale K. The uniform approach. Nurs Times 1990;79(47), 22-23.
12. Castledine G. Uniformity in uniform. Br J Nurs 2011;20(6),389-389.
13. Bernardi M, Franceschi T, Tomaello E, Beltrame L, Garola M & Bonetto M. La divisa infermieristica. Indagine descrittiva su come la vogliono i bambini ospedalizzati e i loro genitori. Giornale Italiano Scienze Infermieristiche Pediatriche 2009.
14. Roohafza H, Pirnia A, Sadeghi M, Toghianifar N, Talaei M & Ashrafi M. Impact of nurses clothing on anxiety of hospitalised children. J Clin Nurs 2009;18(13),1953-1959.
15. Meyer D. Children's responses to nursing attire. Pediatr Nurs 1992;18(2),157-160.
16. Albert NM, Burke J, Bena JF, Morrison SM, Forney J, & Krajewski S. Nurses' uniform colour and feelings/emotions in school-aged children receiving health care. J Pediatr Nurs 2013;28(2),141-149.
17. Festini F, Occhipinti V, Cocco M, Biermann KP, Neri S, Giannini C et al. Use of non conventional nurses attire in a paediatric hospital: a quasi-experimental study. Acta Paediatr 2007;96,218.
18. Lerwick JL. The impact of child-centered play therapy on anxiety levels in pre-neurosurgical pediatric patients. Doctoral Dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis 2011.
19. Lerwick JL. Psychosocial implications of pediatric surgical hospitalization. Semin Pediatr Surg 2013;22:129–133.
20. Smith ML. Interventions to minimize distress during pediatric primary care visits: A systematic literature review. All Student Publications, 2013. Paper 4.
21. Blount RL, Piira T, Cohen LL, Cheng PS. Pediatric procedural pain. Behav Modif 2006;30(1):24–49.
22. Power N, Liossi C, Franck L. Helping parents to help their child with procedural and everyday pain: Practical, evidence-based advice. J Spec Pediatr Nurs 2007;12(3):203–209.
23. Karlsson K, Rydström I, Enskär K, & Dalheim Englund AC. Nurses’ perspectives on supporting children during needle-related medical procedures. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2014;9(1),23063.
24. Potts NL & Mandleco BL. Pediatric nursing: Caring for children and their families. Cengage Learning, Boston 2012.
25. Hsu H. Reducing fear in preschool children during clinical examination. Hu li za zhi J Nurs 2004;51.1:52-57.
26. Pelander T & Leino-Kilpi H. Quality in paediatric nursing care: children's expectations. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs 2004;27.3:139-151.
27. Perrone L, Esposito C, Grano S & Iafusco D. Pediatria per le professioni sanitarie. Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli 2008.
28. Sparrow S. An exploration of the role of the nurses' uniform through a period of non-uniform wear an acute medical ward. J Adv Nurs 1991;16.1:116-122.
29. Skorupski VJ & Rea RE. Patients' perceptions of today's nursing attire: exploring dual images. J Nurs Adm 2006;36.9:393-401.
30. Wocial L, Albert NM, Fettes S, Birch S, Howey K, Na J, et al. Impact of pediatric nurses' uniforms on perceptions of nurse professionalism. Pediatr Nurs 2010;36(6):320.
31. Albert NM, Wocial L, Meyer KH, Na J & Trochelman K. Impact of nurses' uniforms on patient and family perceptions of nurse professionalism. Appl Nurs Res 2008;21(4):181-190.
32. Campbell S, O'Malley C, Watson D, Charlwood J & Lowson S. The image of the children's nurse: a study of the qualities required by families of children's nurses' uniform. J Cl Nurs, 2000;9.1:71-82.
33. Pearson A, Baker H, Walsh K & Fitzgerald M. Contemporary nurses' uniforms—history and traditions. J Nurs Manag 2001;9(3):147-152.
34. Albert NM, Burke J, Bena JF, Morrison SM, Forney J & Krajewski S. Nurses' uniform color and feelings/emotions in school-aged children receiving health care. J Ped Nurs, 2013;28.2:141-149.
35. Shaw K, Timmons, S, PGCAP BA. Exploring how nursing uniforms influence self image and professional identity. Nurs Times 2010;106.10:21-3.
36. Desta EA, Gebrie MH, Dachew BA. Nurse uniform wearing practices and associated factors among nurses working in Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study. BMC Nurs 2015;14.1:65.
37. Timmons S, East L. Uniforms, status and professional boundaries in hospital. Sociol Health Illn 2011;33.7:1035-1049.
38. Lawler CO, Lawler EE. Color-mood associations in young children. J Genet Psychol 1965; 107.1: 29-32.
39. Cimbalo RS, Beck KL, Sendziak DS. Emotionally toned pictures and color selection for children and college students. J Genet Psychol 1978; 133.2: 303-304.
40. Boyatzis CJ, Varghese R. Children's emotional associations with colors. J Genet Psychol 1994; 155.1: 77-85.
41. Cunningham SJ, MacRae CN. The colour of gender stereotyping. Br J Psychol 2011, 102.3: 598-614.
42. Ghisleni M, Rebughini P. Dinamiche dell'amicizia: riconoscimento e identità. Franco Angeli, Milano 2006.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Transfer of Copyright and Permission to Reproduce Parts of Published Papers.
Authors retain the copyright for their published work. No formal permission will be required to reproduce parts (tables or illustrations) of published papers, provided the source is quoted appropriately and reproduction has no commercial intent. Reproductions with commercial intent will require written permission and payment of royalties.
How to Cite
