A Literature Review of Nurses’ Professional Identity

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the key concepts of professional identity (PI) in nursing and the measurement concepts and targets of the relevant scale.

Methods: Relevant literature that meets the inclusion criteria was selected from three databases. Then, the main concepts of PI were categorized, and the measurement concepts and targets of the scales were identified.

Results: The key concepts in the 34 references were “Self as a Nursing Professional,” “Sense of Belonging to the Nursing Community,” and “Values in Nursing.” The measurement concepts for the scales were “Identity” in Japan, and “Values” and “Self-Concept” internationally. The subjects of the scale were nurses, public health nurses, midwives, and nursing students. “Values” subfactor included professionalism.

Conclusion: Clarification of the key concepts that form the common foundation of nursing PI revealed that a systematic organization of concepts, including professionalism, is a challenge. Furthermore, there is a need to develop indicators that comprehensively capture PI without distinction of national qualifications or students.