Level of Professional Identity Among Student Nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Professional identity is the professional self-concept of a nurse, which shapes how nurses and student nurses perceive their profession and the values and beliefs that guide their careers. Understanding and strengthening professional identity is considered essential for workforce retention, quality patient care, and the advancement of the nursing profession. Aim: To determine the level of professional identity among student nurses across the following dimensions: personal, social, historical, and interpersonal. It also aimed to determine whether there was a significant difference in professional identity levels when student nurses were grouped by year level, cultural affiliation, educational program choice, and family educational background. Methods: A quantitative descriptive design was employed among 180 student nurses selected through proportionate random sampling. Data were gathered using the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students (PISNS) with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83 and split-half reliability of 0.84. Average scores, independent-sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: Findings revealed a high overall level of professional identity (average = 4.13), with the highest score in the Social and Historical dimension (4.26), followed by the Interpersonal (4.09) and Personal dimensions (4.05). Significant differences in professional identity were observed across year levels (p = 0.003) and educational program of choice (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were found in cultural affiliation (p = 0.30) or family educational background (p = 0.56). Conclusion: The study found that the professional identity of student nurses was dynamic and closely connected to the nursing profession, with year level and choice of educational program influencing its development. It indicated that different factors influenced the professional identity of student nurses. It is recommended that nursing schools implement regular annual professional identity assessments and strengthen support programs, such as peer tutoring and career orientation, to monitor and further develop student nurses' professional identity throughout the nursing curriculum.