Nursing education and definition of the professional nurse role. Expectations and knowledge of the nurse role.

A significant change in the distribution of role-conceptions was found which occurred after the nurses had experienced their first year as registered nurses, and which did not occur during the educational process, indicating that the conceptions of the need for a more clearly defined nursing role are assimilated during work experience.

Abstract

The aim of nursing education is a development of the nursing profession. One way to promote development is to clarify the professional role. The role definition for nursing is mostly transmitted through tacit knowledge. We consider that the professional development of the nursing profession in Sweden requires a clear and well-defined nurse role. Stated goals of professional programmes for nursing do not include the entire body of tacit knowledge. The overall development requires recognition of a professional status together with a clear and well-defined role. We have found a significant change in the distribution of role-conceptions which occurred after the nurses had experienced their first year as registered nurses, and which did not occur during the educational process. This indicates that the conceptions of the need for a more clearly defined nursing role are assimilated during work experience. This confirms the necessity and importance of role modelling, role repetition and interactions with a professional group as part of the educational process.