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Exploring how nursing uniforms influence self image and professional identity
1Nottingham University Hospitals.
Nursing Times
|April 30, 2010
Summary
Student nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Professional Identity Studies
- Sociology of Professions
Background:
- Uniforms are significant personal items and professional symbols.
- They influence the identity and image of healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the impact of uniforms on student nurses' self-image.
- To understand how uniforms shape professional identity in nursing students.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 pre-registration student nurses.
- Study participants were enrolled in diploma and degree programs at an English university.
Main Results:
- Uniforms highlighted issues related to gender, equality, power, and identity.
- Pride and a strong self-image, fostered by uniforms, correlated with enhanced confidence and clinical performance.
Conclusions:
- Uniforms are important for student nurses, influencing their professional identity.
- Balancing professional, modern aesthetics with nursing heritage is crucial for projecting a positive public image and fostering strong professional identities.
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