The symbols and traditions of nursing in the opinion of nursing students

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the students’ knowledge about the symbols and traditions in nursing. The merits of continuing the tradition and symbolism in contemporary nursing in the opinion of students were also evaluated.

Material and methods. The study involved 64 undergraduate nursing students of the Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Kraków University. As a technique there was used author’s questionnaire to assess the validity of the symbolism there was used a Likert scale from 0-5. The median values and standard deviation were given.

Results. Almost every student mentioned a nursing cap and uniform as a symbol of professional nursing (95% vs. 83%). For students the most important is oath taking (x = 4.4, SD = 1.0) and symbolic caps awarding ceremony (x = 4.4, SD = 1.25). The least need is related to a return to the strap awarding tradition (x = 3.19, SD = 1.77). Approximately 45% of students would like to wear a nursing cap. In the opinion of 75% of students professional traditions should be cultivated during studies.

Conclusions. Traditions should be cultivated during studies in the current system of education. There is a need to remember about the history of the profession.