Demographic Profile on Professional Behavior among Nursing Students in Indonesia

Abstract

Professionalism in nursing is a self-identity for every nurse. The learning of its concept begins in the academic stage through subjects and the hidden curriculum. Learning strategies have been investigated to develop professionalism values ​​among students. Aspects that affect professional behaviour need to be conveyed. This study aims to identify the correlation between the demographic profile and nurse students' professional behaviour in Indonesia. This study used a correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. A sample of 291 student nurses across Indonesia was involved and selected by quota sampling. The questionnaire used the NSPBS adapted for Indonesian students and was given through the online survey platform. The non-parametric test using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests was chosen because the data were not normally distributed. The total mean value was 92.37. The variables' test showed there was no correlation between province and sex with professional behavior with p = 0.931 and p = 0.945, respectively. Meanwhile, there were significant correlations between the age and course toward professional behavior (p = 0.007 and p = 0.012).  In this study, it was found that the older age and the extension course program showed a higher score on professional behavior. The difference is in healthcare practice and activity practice which may be shaped by work experience. Conclusion: Students' demographic profiles need more investigation as it is an antecedent of the professionalism concept