Occupational prestige of nursing in Lithuania: review of study results

Abstract

Occupational prestige of nursing directly influences the social health of nurses. It is important that the occupation holds a respectable professional image in a society and hence invokes an array of positive psychophysiological effects on nurses, such as stronger professional identity and motivation to work to higher standards, as well as encourages the younger generation to choose a nursing career. The latter is of particular importance nowadays, since due to various demographic processes, the shortage of nurses increases. Therefore, identifying and understanding the current public opinion on the occupational prestige of nursing in Lithuania, as well as the factors influencing it, are paramount for further social opinion’s improvement.