Growing a Professional Identity: A Grounded Theory of Baccalaureate Nursing Students

The purpose of this study was to construct a grounded theory that describes the experiences and explains the process of prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students as they progressed in a traditional nursing program.

Strauss and Corbin's approach to grounded theory was utilized to guide this study.

The basic social psychological process (BSPP) for baccalaureate nursing students that emerged was "searching for balance and utilizing support networks while growing a professional identity." The core category identified was unanticipated expectations, whereas the subcategories that emerged were self-doubt, confidence, sacrifice, rigor, and relevance. To successfully progress through the program, students needed to relinquish preconceptions and acclimate to the academic and, ultimately, the professional nursing climate.

Findings support and broaden previous research on the expectations and professional identity formation of nursing students. Understanding this BSPP process is beneficial for educators to promote a student-centered learning environment. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(12):705-711.].