What is Professional Identity in Nursing? And Why does it Matter?

Understanding and embracing professional Identity in nursing offers new language and new knowledge for the journey—helping nurses heal, flourish and expertly care for others. Research shows that nurses with a strong professional identity in nursing stand out as having a higher impact on patient outcomes than those who do not. Further, a strong professional identity allows nurse leaders to distinguish between their disciplinary core—the professional identity of nursing—and a variety of functional roles in which they may advance over time. Forming and fostering one’s professional identity are important to advance the nursing discipline. Learner Objectives Examine the term professional identity from an interdisciplinary perspective. Discuss research findings that show how a strong professional identity yields better patient outcomes. Describe strategies for nurses in all settings to use new language and new knowledge about professional identity in nursing. Presenter Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF Professor and Associate Dean, Innovative Partnerships and Practice; University of Kansas School of Nursing Nelda is Professor and Associate Dean for Innovative Partnerships and Practice at the University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS. A thought leader in nursing innovation and nursing education, Dr. Godfrey writes often on new care delivery models that can be influenced by a stronger emphasis on the nurse within—researching and developing strategies to create the whole person experience in nursing practice going forward. Her work with the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing is transforming the way nurses, health care professionals and society understanding what it means to “think, act and feel like a nurse.” This work offers new language and new knowledge for the journey—helping nurses heal, flourish and expertly care for others. Nursing CE This event is approved for Nursing CE with the California Board of Nursing.