Abstract:

Aim: This study was carried out descriptively to determine the factors affecting professional self-concept in nursing students. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 398 students who were studying at 1st and 2nd years of nursing education in three universities located in Turkey. Data of the study were collected by Student Information Form and Professional Self-Concept Inventory in Student Nurses (PSCISN). Descriptive statistics, chi square test, independent samples t test, one way anova test and pearson correlation were used to assess data. Results: Mean scores of the students who voluntarily selected nursing profession and who were interested in the profession from total PSCISN and subscales were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). Mean scores of the students studying in private universities from professional satisfaction and professional competence were found to be significantly higher than the ones who were studying in the state university (p<0.05). Mean score of the female students from professional attributes was significantly higher than the males (p<0.005). The positive correlations between mean total PSCISN and subscale scores were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Having an interest on nursing profession, preferring it voluntarily and feeling professional satisfaction positively affects professional self-concept in nursing students. It may be suggested to measure professional satisfaction of the nursing students during their educational lives by the teaching staff. Students whose professional satisfaction level decreases throughout their educational life can be intervened by this implementation. This intervention may allow students to prepare for their professional life after graduation.

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