Professional identity and nursing: contemporary theoretical developments and future research challenges.

Abstract

AIM: We propose that the conceptual orientation of professional identity is a logical consequence of self-concept development by focusing on career and its meaning and presents a measurable set of concepts that can be manipulated to improve retention of student and registered nurses within health service. BACKGROUND: Although professional identity is a term that is commonly written of in nursing literature, its theoretical origins remain unclear, and available empirical evidence of its presence or ability to change is omitted from nursing research. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: We present a professional identity pathway and explore the factors that influence professional identity throughout a career ..