Personality profiles of nurses: a comparison between Australian and US research findings

The findings from an analysis of the personality profiles of 349 registered nurses in New South Wales are reported. Comparisons were made between males and females and between nurses practicing in seven nursing areas. The NSW nurses' profile was compared with those of a group of registered nurses in the United States of America and with a United States adult female normative group. An exploration of the effects of time on personality was made by analysing data from the New South Wales registered nurse group and a group of student nurses in the same state. Differences were found in the personality profiles of all groups examined in the study. These findings and their nursing implications are discussed with reference to the effects of primary and secondary socialisation.