Enhancement of nursing students’ moral competencies through support the formation of professional identity

Abstract

Background: Moral care provision is an essential part of nursing work. Nursing schools are responsible for developing moral competencies in nursing students. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the formation of professional identity and development of morality in nursing students. Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive-correlational study. The study population consisted of nursing students who were enrolled in nursing schools at the time of the study. Two hundred and twenty-one nursing students completed the study tools. The research tools were a demographic questionnaire, Moral Development Scale for Professionals (MDSP), and Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students (PISNS). Results: The mean (SD) of MDSP and PISNS scores were 45.69±5.90 and 55.61±12.75, respectively. There was a significant statistical relationship between MSDP and PISNS scores (p<0.05). A significant equation was found (f (2, 218) = 16.68, p<0.001) with an R2 of 0.113. The MSDP scores increased 0.136 for each score of PISNS, and married students had 2.452 scores higher than single students. Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between the formation of professional identity and development of morality in nursing students. By supporting the formation of professional identity, nursing schools can help the development of moral competencies in nursing students.