Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of nursing students in Israel regarding
nursing as a profession and nurses’ public image, and whether there is a difference between
the perceptions of first-year and more advanced nursing students. A questionnaire based on the
work of Tzeng (2006) was administered to 200 first-year nursing students and 200 more advanced
students. Most of the students felt the nursing profession needs to undergo an image change, while
first-year students perceived nurses as more angelic and romantic than more advanced students.
A positive correlation was found between satisfaction with nurses in the field and the image of
nursing. In order to reinforce a positive image of nursing as a career, nurse educators should alter
negative stereotypes about the profession.