The professional self-concept of new graduate nurses

SummaryThe purposes of this study were to: (1) describe the level of professional self-concept among new graduate nurses working in critical care and general medical surgical unit six months after completing a nursing program, (2) examine the professional self-concept in relation to age, marital status, and educational level of new graduate nurses, and (3) examine graduate nurses’ perceptions of their nursing educational preparation for their clinical area. One hundred thirty two (n = 132) new graduate nurses completed the professional self-concept nurses instrument (PSCNI) and answered two open ended questions focused on their educational preparation. Scores on the PSCNI ranged 58–106 with an overall mean of 83. There was a positive correlation between age and level of professional self-concept. Single factor ANOVA showed no statistical differences between levels of professional self-concept, marital status (p = 0.43), and educational level (p = 0.09). New graduate nurses identified themes as they assessed their educational preparation for their work experiences.