Neophyte To Nurse: The Development of a Professional Self-Image

Abstract

<p>For the neophyte, socialization into the role of nurse involves not only the acquisition of required skills and knowledge, but also the gradual acquisition of a professional self-identity. The primary mechanism of socialization is interaction with other members of the student nurses' role-set, i.e. doctors, instructors and patients. The shared expectations of these role others, constitute the nursing role. Role expectations represent pressures which, ideally, elicit appropriate role performances from the encumbents of a given role. The perceived expectations of role others with whom the student nurse interacts are reflected in the self-images held. Differences in self-images held by student-nurses are related to experiences with role others prior to, and following encumbency of the nurse-trainee role.</p>