Role socialization of graduating student nurses: impact of a nursing practicum on professional role conception

This study examined graduating student nurse role conception changes that occurred during a concentrated clinical preceptorial. A Nursing Role Conceptions Questionnaire was administered to nursing students before (n = 44) and immediately after (n = 41) a 4-week Nursing Practicum; to the students' staff nurse clinical teaching associates (n = 34); and to nursing program faculty (n = 18). Respondent perceptions of ideal nursing behaviors and actual nursing behaviors within three major nursing roles (professional, service, and bureaucratic) were identified and differences between ideal and actual scores (role discrepancy) were calculated. Findings showed that student role orientation in selected areas changed from a faculty role orientation to a staff nurse role orientation over the 4-week period. The Practicum seemed to effectively facilitate role socialization of graduating student nurses into the work setting, easing the necessary transition from education to practice.