Exploring Professional Identity Development in Final-Year Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 5:10 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Professional Identity in the Professions (Table 7)

Abstract

This longitudinal qualitative study tracked the development of professional identity (PI) among ten final-year nursing students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, using Erikson's (1968) identity framework and a developmental-contextual approach (Ford & Lerner, 1992). Participants gained clarity and confidence in their nursing roles throughout their BSN programs and clinical rotations, influenced by their evolving experiences. Four distinct PI types emerged, each with unique developmental trajectories shaped by various factors. These trajectories underscored differing perspectives on nursing and desired nurse qualities. The study emphasizes the dynamic interaction between personal characteristics, external influences, and their roles in shaping PI development.

Author

• Pauline Ho, Reed College