Abstract: Objective: To analyze the media images of nurses during COVID-19 from the perspective of China's mainstream media reports. Methods: Systematically search the reports about nurses in the six national media during the COVID-19 epidemic from January 1, 2020 to May 15, 2020. Mixed content analysis was used to extract, induce and quantify the surface features of the included reports, such as the reported characters, places and genres and to qualitatively analyze the potential features of the included reports, namely as the media image of nurses. Results: A total of 637 reports were included finally with communication as the main genre. Nursing administrators, young nurses and male nurses were the main report objects. By extracting 17 typical codes, a total of 7 media images were concluded, which were the courageous countermarching people, the devoted rescuers, the conscientious innovators, the responsible young people, the male nurses who hold up half of the sky, the administrators who crack a hard nut and the ordinary people with true emotions. Conclusion: The mainstream media in China described the multiple media image of nurses during COVID-19, but the reports and interpretations of nurses' professional practice innovation and improving patient outcomes are not abundant enough. It is expected to promote more professional and profound media image of nurses in the future.

Key words: COVID-19; news reports; nurse; media images; content analysis