Transforming nursing with professional identity

Professional identity integrates values, ethics, knowledge, leadership, and professional comportment, reflected in a nurse's behaviors, countenance, and demeanor. Developing a professional identity prepares nurses for advanced roles to advocate for patients, families, and the nursing profession. A professional identity elevates standards of care to promote health access, equity, and quality to achieve optimal outcomes in diverse populations and communities. Nurses with strong professional identities are competent and confident role models and engage with the interprofessional team in a collegial and inclusive manner. These nurses experience role satisfaction and elevate the public perception of nursing as a respected profession.