A longitudinal study of perceptions of self-concept and professional self-concept in Turkish nursing students
Journal Name:
- Uluslararası İnsan Bilimleri Dergisi
Abstract (2. Language):
This study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-concept and
professional self-concept amongst nursing students undertaking a four year degree.
A descriptive longitudinal study was applied amongst all nursing students undertaking a
four year degree starting in the academic year 2006-2007. The sample consists of total 78 students.
The data collection was via two Likert scale type questionnaires about the self description of
students and their descriptions of the professional qualities of nurses which were issued a week
apart. The first questionnaire consisted of a self-report form of 40 adjectives and students were
asked to rate the suitability of each adjective for describing their personality. The second
questionnaire employed the same adjectives as the first questionnaire. Students were asked to rate
how necessary it was for professional nurses to possess these qualities. SPSS was used to analyse
the data via percentages and Cohen’s Kappa method.
The data for first year students showed 77.6% were happy to have chosen nursing but
significant nearly a quarter were not. 85.9% thought they had similar characteristics to those
required by nursing but there was a significant minority of almost one sixth who felt they did not
have the required characteristics. The congruence between self-concept and professional selfconcept
was highest in the fourth year followed by the first year with the second year being the
lowest.
Congruence between self-concept and professional self-concept across all four years was
evident from our study. Some implications of these findings for nursing education and practice are
considered.
A realistic approach to what is involved in both the study and practice of nursing can
increase the self and professional self-concept congruence. It is important for nursing educators to
effectively manage student expectations as a better alignment of these with actual situations helps
students cope with the demands placed upon them.FULL TEXT (PDF):
