Factors influencing nursing professional identity development: A qualitative study

This research focuses on approaches that best support nursing professional identity formation, particularly by providing the insights of nursing students in their own words. This report reflects qualitative phenomenological research on nursing professional development from the perspective of both associate degree and baccalaureate degree student nurses in their final semester of study and describes factors that support or detract from the experience of nursing professional identity development. Participants were guided through individual interviews using semi-structured interview questions and later invited to facilitated focus groups with other students to clarify and elaborate on previous comments. The approach participants most often described as helping them develop into a professional nurse was clinical experience and the ability to practice independently. It was mentioned far more than the next most common response: role models and mentors. Other methods include reflection, critical thinking, and confidence. This research adds to a limited body of literature on the factors that influence nursing professional identity.