Perceived stereotypes about nurses in terms of competence predict nurses’ wellbeing and intent to leave the profession: A cross-sectional study in German intensive home care nursing

Abstract

The present study investigated, firstly, whether societal warmth and competence stereotypes about nurses, as perceived by the nurses, are congruent with nurses’ self-image. Secondly, it tested whether perceived competence stereotypes are related to nurses’ wellbeing and their intent to leave their profession. A total of 51 female nurses working at least 32 hours per week in intensive home care nursing (IHCN) participated in a correlational online survey. The results indicate that nurses rate themselves more highly on both competence and warmth than they perceive society to rate them. Furthermore, perceived societal ratings of nurses’ competence were negatively related to the intent to leave the profession and to burnout symptoms. The results suggest that measures should be taken to reduce prevalent societal stereotypes about the alleged lack of nurses’ competence.