Becoming a Nurse: Professional Identity in Prelicensure Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Identity Development
• Student Motivation

Background:

• Professional identity (PI), hope, and job satisfaction are correlated, impacting nurse turnover.
• Interventions to enhance PI can mitigate nurse turnover.
• Nurses' PI is a critical factor in retention and job satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the links between career motivation, PI formation, and belongingness in prelicensure nursing students.
• Investigate the factors influencing professional identity in early-career nurses.
• Understand the relationship between student motivation and professional identity development.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative survey administered to prelicensure nursing students.
• Part of a larger mixed-methods research design.
• Data collection focused on student perceptions and experiences.

Main Results:

• Perceived PI depth, motivation, and future orientation are significantly linked, mediated by classroom instruction.
• Student relationships, confidence, and autonomy were identified as key shapers of PI.
• Classroom experiences play a vital role in mediating the connection between PI and motivation.

Conclusions:

• Academic programs must intentionally integrate PI development early in nursing curricula.
• Quality clinical experiences fostering relationships, confidence, and autonomy are essential for PI.
• Supporting students in connecting with their PI is paramount for future nursing success.