Considerations for professionalism of nursing students in clinical practices

Abstract

This is a descriptive study that aims to determine the factors affecting the professional behaviour of nursing students in clinical applications. The survey was conducted between 20 September and 20 December 2017 with the participation of 274 students studying in the Nursing Department of Health Sciences Faculty of a University. The data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 18 questions and Nursing Students Professional Behaviours Scale (NSPBS). The mean age of the nursing students participated in the study was 20.67 ± 1.88 years and 81.8% of the students were female while 18.2% were male. Of them, 78.5% loved their profession, 60.9% chose their profession willingly, 67.5% did not want to change their profession and 9.5% of them were members of professional associations and followed professional publications. The mean score of NSPBS was determined to be 122 (29–135). Hence, the nursing students’ ability to perform professional behaviours was found to be high.Keywords: Nursing, student, professional behaviour.

Relationship between nursing students' perceptions of clinical instructor caring and their professional behaviors

“…17 In the present study, professional behaviors of students who aimed to become a nurse and academician in the future were | 833 determined to increase. Also, Danaci et al 13 and Cevik and Khorshid 12 found that students who chose the profession willingly and did not consider changing their profession had higher levels of professional behaviors. Choosing a profession willingly and enjoying the profession are important criteria to apply it professionally.…”

“…Choosing the profession of nursing willingly has an important place for nurses to implement their profession with pleasure, reveal their special abilities, and display a professional attitude by activating individuals. 13…”

“…8 A nursing student's professional values are determined by their professional behaviors in nursing practices. [9][10][11][12][13] Although studies have revealed that professional values are internalized and enhanced throughout nursing undergraduate education, it is reported that nursing students have difficulty in displaying professional behaviors due to various institutional and professional factors. 2,8 These factors are listed as the presence of an inappropriate role model for working environment, a clinic atmosphere where no care is provided, presence of conflicts with other healthcare professionals, oppressive and grade-oriented approach of instructors, and different and non-standard practice areas.…”