Contemporary Factors Influencing Professional Identity in Acute Care Nurses: An Integrative Review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Professional Identity Development
• Healthcare Workforce Studies

Background:

• Professional identity is crucial for nurses, yet its formation in acute care settings is not fully understood.
• The contemporary acute care landscape faces nursing shortages and high workloads impacting nurse well-being and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current scientific understanding of factors influencing acute care nursing professional identity.
• To identify enablers and barriers to professional identity formation in this critical healthcare sector.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review of literature published between 2018 and 2023.
• Searches conducted in CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases.
• Data analysis involved critical appraisal using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and content analysis.

Main Results:

• Eighteen articles were included, revealing five key themes: internal and external influences, role externalization, career stage differences, and barriers to identity formation.
• External factors were identified as predominant influences on professional identity.
• Enablers include empowerment and job satisfaction, while barriers involve stress and exhaustion.

Conclusions:

• Multiple factors, primarily external, shape acute care nurse professional identity.
• Limited research exists on the long-term impacts on practice, management, policy, and education.
• Findings can inform strategies for healthier work environments and improved nurse retention.