Dimitriadou A
Aim: The main objective of the present study was to investigate the nursing staff's identity in relation to demographic characteristics. Additional aims were: 1) to investigate the nursing staff's relation to religion and to trade unionism, and 2) to determine the frequency of negative experiences that are related to the practice of nursing. Methodology: The sample consisted of 342 nurses and nursing assistants. The data were collected by a questionnaire designed specifically for this study. Results: The participants were mainly women (86.3%, n= 295) with mean age 41.2 years. Regarding educational status, 63.5% of the participants did not have any kind of postgraduate education. However, 97.90% had a very positive opinion about the need for continuing education. Only 15.5% reported that they absolutely agree with religion and 11.9% reported that they are actively involved with trade unionism. 90% of the participants experienced prejudice because of their profession, and 314 reported that they experience reality shock at their working environment. Conclusions: The nursing staff continues to consist mostly of women, who do not have equal opportunities for education, and they are not rewarded for their efforts to receive additional knowledge. The participants do not absolutely agree with religion and they do not participate actively in trade unions. The majority experiences prejudice in their everyday life because of their profession. As new workers, they discovered that the
