Date of Award
Winter 5-17-2025
Document Type
Honors Project
University Scholars Director
Joshua Tom
First Advisor/Committee Member
Erla Champ-Gibson
Keywords
Madonna-Whore complex, Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment, Media Representation
Abstract
Western media has perpetuated society’s perspective of the nursing role through a sexual lens rather than a professional. Nurses face high levels of sexual harassment and violence, with some studies showing up to 80% of nurses experiencing some form of sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their career. The relationship between the media’s sexualization of nurses has led to an increase in harassment and violence in the profession, as well as proliferating the stereotype of ‘sexy nurses.’ In this literature review, I examine both the media and cultural perception of the nurse and the data surrounding sexual harassment and violence towards nurses in the workplace. We know that workplace harassment can lead to increased rates of burnout and staff turnover, if the image of nursing is changed then we can create a healthier work environment with higher levels of job satisfaction and safety.
Recommended Citation
Stehle, Elizabeth S., "Sexy in Scrubs: How the Media and Cultural Perception of Nurses Leads to Sexual Harassment and Violence in the Workplace" (2025). Honors Projects. 234.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects/234
Copyright Status
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