Are nurses blurring their identity by extending or delegating roles?

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Studies
• Nursing Professionalism
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Nursing may be experiencing an identity crisis, as suggested by research commissioned by the Department of Health.
• There is a perceived loss of direction within the nursing profession.
• The professional identity of nursing is unclear, marked by confusion and conflicting opinions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the concept of professional identity in nursing.
• To investigate the changing roles and role extension undertaken by nurses.
• To analyze the impact of role changes on nursing's professional identity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on nursing identity and role evolution.
• Analysis of research commissioned by the Department of Health (Maben and Griffiths, 2008).
• Exploration of the blurring boundaries between healthcare professions.

Main Results:

• Nursing's professional identity is ambiguous, influenced by role expansion.
• The extension of nursing roles may have led to a diffusion of professional boundaries.
• Conflicting opinions and confusion surround the definition of nursing identity.

Conclusions:

• The nursing profession's identity is challenged by evolving roles and societal perceptions.
• Further examination of professional identity is crucial for nursing's future.
• Understanding role changes is key to clarifying nursing's societal standing.