Nursing students’ professional self-concept and clinical performance

Abstract

Objective: Scholars believe that if nursing students appreciate the value of their services, their sense of professionalism will expand, and they will be able to perform at their best. Yet, the relationship between professional self-concept and clinical performance is little known. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between professional self-concept and clinical performance among nursing students. Materials and Method: This cross- sectional analytical study was based on the census method. The participants comprised of 86 senior and junior nursing students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Professional selfconcept and clinical performance were measured by using Nurse Self-Concept Questionnaire (NSCQ) and 6-Dimension Scale of Nurse Performance (6-DSNP), respectively. Results: The mean and standard deviation of professional self-concept and clinical performance were 5.46±1.11 and 2.94±1.45, respectively. There was a relationship between professional self-concept and clinical performance(r=0.24, p=0.02). Conclusion: Attempts should be made to enhance students’ professional self-concept during their education. Giving counsel, informing the society, and applying techniques that will enhance students’ professional selfconcept are essential to improving their performance.