ABSTRACT
Objective
To analyze the image of the nurse in written press in the 1930’s-1950’s and its repercussions in the 1970’s-1980’s.
Method
Historical-documentary study with a qualitative approach, which used as data sources the reports published in a newspaper from Bahia called A Tarde in the 1930’s to the 1980’s, marked by important historical events in the national and international scenario and discussions about image transformation and reconstruction of the nurse’s professional identity.
Results
Three central representations of the nurse were identified in the journalistic press: the religious and military imagery of the profession and the repercussions of the nurses’ images as a product/producer of other imagery that was written in historical time and will be products of continuities, ruptures and discontinuities.
Conclusions and implications for practice
The images of nurses and their repercussions are co-creations determined in the political and economic social field that crosses the times and history being related to government and market interests.
Keywords:
History of Nursing; Gender Identity; Mass Media; Qualitative Research; Occupational Groups