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Professional confidence in baccalaureate nursing students
Barbara Brown1, Linda O'Mara, Mabel Hunsberger
1School of Nursing, Member, Nursing Education Research Unit, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ont. L8N 3Z5, Canada.
Nurse Education in Practice
|November 29, 2008
Summary
Developing professional confidence is crucial for nursing students. This study explored its meaning, influences, and strategies for enhancement in baccalaureate nursing programs.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Professional Development
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Professional confidence is vital in nursing practice.
- Limited research exists on developing nursing student confidence.
- Baccalaureate nursing programs aim to foster confident practitioners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the meaning of professional confidence for nursing students.
- To identify influences on the development of professional confidence.
- To uncover student-identified strategies for building confidence.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing focus groups.
- Thematic content analysis of transcribed data.
- Exploration of perceptions among baccalaureate nursing students.
Main Results:
- Professional confidence encompasses multifaceted aspects: feeling, knowing, believing, accepting, doing, looking, becoming, and evolving.
- Influences on confidence development stem from pre-nursing experiences and within the nursing program.
- Students actively identified strategies to cultivate their professional confidence.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the meaning and influences of professional confidence is key.
- Student-centered strategies can promote confidence development.
- Faculty development is recommended to support student confidence building.
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