Professional Identity for Nursing Students: Development and Enhancement in the Academy

Abstract

Establishing a professional identity in nursing school proves challenging as imposter syndrome comes into the equation. There are defining moments when students feel like a “real nurse”, unique and individualized to the scholars. Incorporating nursing core values through interaction with cohort members, patients during clinical rotations and faculty contribute to students formulating nursing students’ professional identity (Pullen, 2021). Nursing faculty play an integral role in supporting students’ journey defining identity, academic success, and program completion. Developing professional identity in nursing school requires the examination of personal values, integrity, and experience attributed to formulating personal and professional identities.