Ethics, COVID-19 and nursing vulnerability: analysis of photographs released by the media

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze nursing vulnerability through photos released by the media amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: a documentary study, with a qualitative approach. The object of analysis were photographic images selected between January 2020 and March 2021, published by the main news portals in countries such as Brazil, the United States, France, Spain, England and Germany. Thematic categorical analysis was the method of analysis used. Results: we found 74 photographs that portrayed nursing professionals in different work situations. It was possible to identify stigma and social devaluation about this class’s representation and professional attribution. Moreover, we found an underrepresentation of black professionals in Brazilian portals and the man as the prominent figure in the spaces of claims. Final Considerations: the photographs represented an important tool for the social analysis of nursing vulnerability, favoring the unveiling of situations that may go unnoticed by nursing and society.