Nursing Professional Self-Concept: A Scoping Review Protocol

Nurs Rep. 2023 Jan 4;13(1):51-56. doi: 10.3390/nursrep13010005.

Abstract

Nurses are considered one of the largest professional groups in healthcare, generating positive health outcomes for people at various stages of life. A significant impact on the construction of the professional self-or professional self-concept-is considered to exist through the educational process, influenced by factors such as the family and societal expectations often presented by teachers, tutors, and peers. Improving professional self-concept in nursing can offer specific gains in personal, relational, social, and interpersonal communication skills, favoring evolution in the academic and clinical path. This scoping review aims to map the literature related to the state of knowledge regarding professional self-concept in nursing. This scoping review will follow JBI recommendations with the PCC mnemonic and report its findings through PRISMA-ScR using a specific instrument made by the researchers. Providing healthcare complying with high scientific standards requires the professional to have enough self-confidence in his work and skills. The explicit acknowledgement of professional self-concept is essential for any educational tutor or experienced mentor to promote mental health and academic and professional performance.

Keywords: nurses; nursing; nursing students; professional self-concept; scoping review.

Grants and funding

This paper is part of a Master project of the first author (I.F.A.), funded by a scientific grant, reference no. UIDB/00742/2020.