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Published on: October 28, 2020
Navigating Impostor Syndrome Through Vulnerability
William L Hull1,2, Lizette Villanueva3, Amy Field3
1College of Nursing, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA wlhull@utep.edu.
Abstract:
Background: Navigating role transitions is often challenging and complex, regardless of career stage, setting, or role type, and occurs across all fields of nursing, from student to advanced practice. Purpose: This work offers a conceptual review examining how vulnerability, emotional intelligence, resilience, and psychological safety affect the development and management of impostor syndrome during nursing career transitions, drawing on Meleis' Transitions Theory. Methods: A structured search of the literature was conducted, and the evidence was conceptually synthesized using Meleis' Transitions Theory as a guiding framework. Vulnerability, emotional intelligence, resilience, and psychological safety were chosen because they represent both internal adaptive processes and environmental factors that influence how nurses interpret and respond to impostor feelings during role transitions. Findings: Vulnerability, emotional intelligence, resilience, and psychological safety interact as complementary factors influencing the development and management of impostor syndrome during nursing role transitions while supporting healthy adaptation and professional role development. Discussion: Implications for nursing practice emphasize the importance of nursing-specific education and mentorship to support successful role transitions and mitigate impostor syndrome.
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