Nursing: The Development Of Professional Identity In Nursing

Introduction

McCurry et all (2009/2010)??** state ‘Nursing as a profession has a social mandate to contribute to the good of society through knowledge-based practice.’ Acknowledging this statement and in recognition of the challenges faced in today’s healthcare system it is imperative that nurses know who they are as a profession. Without an explicit understanding of our identity as nurses and our role in society we have no worth or purpose other than to aid and promote the medical discipline (Newman et al., 2008).

The discipline has made enormous advances over the past century. It has evolved from primarily being a task-orientated role to a profession which provides knowledgeable service encompassing evidence-based practice./ knowledgeable

Professionalisation of nurses is an ongoing complicated international debate.**** Hoeve et al …..find another one)

Fagermoen (1997) defines nursing professional identity as ‘the values and beliefs held by nurses that guide her/his thinking, actions and interactions with the patient’.

Johnson et al 2012. and Larson et al. 2013 claim ‘the development of professional identity is a continuous process that begins with admission to the nursing program and evolves throughout one’s professional career…’.

Hoeve et al. 2014 was also of the belief that it is a continuous process, supported by education and practice.

Florence Nightingale was a pioneer in nursing and maintained it as an independent profession which was not secondary to the medical profession but equal. *Nightingale 1969 cited by Hoeve et al 2013

The ongoing education and training which supports the nursing as a profession must be maintained. The self-concept of nurses is enormously important in maintaining a professional identity.

‘Nurses’ self-concept can be defined as information and belief that nurses have about their roles, values and behaviours’ (Takase et al. 2002, p. 197; Hoeve et al.

I believe professional identity is extremely relevant in the twenty-first century.

Johnson et al 2012 highlighted the crucial need for positive professional identity in nursing. They claimed it was vital for nurses’ ability to perform at a high level and it is both a benefit to the nurse as to other healthcare workers and more importantly patients. ???past/ present tense

Nurses provide an invaluable contribution to healthcare. ***Shields et al (2011) state that there is ‘good evidence that a highly educated nursing workforce reduces patient and hospital mortality’ (p 314). As a result, nurses more than ever need to have a clear sense of their professional identity.

A myriad of challenges are faced in healthcare today. From over-crowding and long waiting lists to staff shortages which have knock on effects resulting in inadequate skills mix and unacceptable nurse-patient ratios. An aging population, high birth rates and an increase in chronic diseases also puts pressure on the healthcare system. The nursing role has had to evolve in response to changing societal needs and the challenges in the healthcare system today. (McCurry et al. 2009). This can bring additional challenges to nurses’ professional identity. ??