Community Perception towards the Nursing Profession in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia

Background and Aims: The shortage of nurses is a global issue, and negative perceptions of the nursing profession can con¬tribute to low student interest in pursuing nursing as a career. This study aimed to investigate the perception of the nursing profession among the Al-Baha community in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Baha region, with a sample size of 236 Saudi participants. Data were collected through a survey divided into three sections: demograph¬ic information, nursing knowledge, and opinion. The questionnaire was adapted from two previous studies. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program and presented in tables and figures. Results: Most participants had a positive attitude toward the nursing profession, and over half of them believed that Saudi nurses were better than non-Saudi nurses. The highest negative perception was among those who preferred female nurses over male nurses. Conclusions: The majority of participants in the Al-Baha community had a positive view of the nursing profession, particularly among those who preferred male nurses, those over 50 years old, and those who preferred Saudi nurses. These findings have implications for nursing recruitment and retention in Al-Baha and Saudi Arabia.