Finding the voices: Representation of nurses in Dutch newspaper media between 2019 and 2022

AIM: To explore how nurses were represented in five Dutch newspapers between 2019 and 2022, with a focus on their visibility in policy and decision-making.

BACKGROUND: The media significantly shape public understanding of healthcare. Despite their key role, nurses are often underrepresented in media, especially in policy-related coverage. This study addresses this gap in the Dutch context.

METHODS: Directed content analysis of 272 articles published between 2019 and 2022 across five high-circulation Dutch newspapers. A coding instrument was developed from existing literature and applied using Atlas.ti. ENTREQ criteria were followed throughout.

RESULTS: Nurses were least often cited in articles about policy, finance, and innovation. Senior leadership sources, predominantly male, were cited most frequently, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses were more commonly cited in human-interest, nursing identity and image, strike-related, and ethical stories. In many articles, images either excluded nurses or portrayed them in ways that obscured their identity.

DISCUSSION: The findings indicate that nurses' voices are not effectively utilized, particularly in policy discussions. This aligns with previous studies showing the underrepresentation of nurses as expert sources, with a predominance of male higher management and medical professionals being cited more frequently.

CONCLUSION: The imbalance in nurse representation, particularly in policy and decision-making, highlights the need for systemic change.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Media competency training is needed in nursing (under)graduate curricula and in nursing leadership development programs to effectively convey their expertise and work. A collaborative and systemic approach involving key stakeholders is advised to ensure that nurse voices are elevated, especially related to health policy.