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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Learning Objective 1: Describe the meaning of professionalism in the lifeworld of 12 contemporary nursing students.
Learning Objective 2: Discuss future directions of study findings in the areas of education, practice, research, and leadership development.
Evidence suggests that professionalism is becoming problematic in programs of nursing across the country. Behaviors associated with this problem range from coming late to class, verbal insults, abuse and intimidation, physical and emotional harassment, cheating and other forms of dishonesty in the class and clinical settings. These actions are in opposition to the characteristics of a professional nurse as described in the Code of Ethics. Civility, or acting with respect and compassion for another, and one’s community is described as the minimum set of standards for professional behavior. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry was to explore the meaning of professionalism of baccalaureate nursing students. A deeper understanding into the life world of the student nurse was sought to uncover new knowledge or shed light on taken for granted assumptions of the researcher, an educator preparing tomorrow’s nurse. There are a number of studies exploring new graduate’s socialization to the professional role. There is paucity in current literature about student’s nurse’s perceptions of professionalism. van Manen’s (1990) methodological structure for human research and writing was followed. Data analysis was drawn from 12 in-depth transcribed audio-taped, face to face and member checked interviews. The themes of image, attitude and integrity emerged and illuminated the essences of professionalism as a way of being in time. Further insights were drawn from literature in the areas of generational theory, the sociopolitical context of professionalism, student attitudes, and issues of integrity. Future directions for addressing professionalism in education, research, practice and leadership are offered.
Reference:van Manen, M. (1990). Researching the lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive\
pedagogy. New York: The State University of New York.