(Re)cognition of nurses in society: perceptions in Portuguese society

Authors

  • Luís Batalha Universidade de Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal; NuPhaC, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Antuérpia, Antuérpia, Bélgica
  • Isabel Fernandes Universidade de Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal; NuPhaC, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Antuérpia, Antuérpia, Bélgica
  • Paulo Ferreira Universidade de Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal; NuPhaC, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Antuérpia, Antuérpia, Bélgica
  • José Miguel Seguro Sanfil Medicina, Coimbra, Portugal; Universidade de Coimbra, UICISA E, ESEUC, Coimbra, Portugal; NuPhaC, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Antuérpia, Antuérpia, Bélgica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP202611041956

Keywords:

professional autonomy, nursing, social recognition

Abstract

Nurses are the largest professional group in the healthcare system, having experienced an evolution in their academic qualifications and clinical competencies in recent decades. This study describes the current perceptions of the Portuguese population regarding nurses, their functional roles, and social recognition. Part of an international multicenter investigation, this is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 296 participants who described nurses as caring and friendly, with a prestige level similar to that of lawyers and engineers. Although they acknowledge the evolution of nurses’ competencies, the majority consider social recognition to be insufficient, question their autonomy, and view the profession as not very attractive. Knowledge of nursing roles does not influence the level of social recognition attributed.

 

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Published

2026-04-07

Issue

Articles in continuous publication

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Luís Batalha, Isabel Fernandes, Paulo Ferreira, José Miguel Seguro

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