PROFESSIONAL SELF-CONCEPT AMONG SELECTED NURSES AT BANPHAEO HOSPITAL

Background and Significance of the Research Problem:

The professional self-concept of nurses is an important

component in the professional and academic development of the

nursing profession. Few studies have concentrated on the careful

development of the construct of professional self-concept in nurses.

This study focuses on a pilot group of nurses from the banphaeo hospital to

develop the multi-dimensional construct professional self concept of nurses. It

would be broader when we sight with “a professional self concept” as a key

word for this study. Taking the word alone as “self-concept” it defies

that Self-concept is distinguishable from self-awareness, which refers

to the extent to which self-knowledge is defined, consistent, and

currently applicable to one's attitudes and dispositions. Self-concept

also differs from self-esteem: self-concept is a cognitive or descriptive

component of one's self (e.g. "I am a fast runner"), while self-

esteem is evaluative and opinionated (e.g. "I feel good about being a

fast runner"). The self-concept is an internal model that uses self-

assessments in order to define one's self-schemas.  Features such

as personality, skills and abilities, occupation and hobbies, physical

characteristics, etc. are assessed and applied to self-schemas, which

are ideas of oneself in a particular dimension (e.g., someone that

considers themselves a geek will associate "geek-like" qualities to

themselves). A collection of self-schemas make up one's overall self-

concept. For example, the statement "I am lazy" is a self-assessment

that contributes to self-concept. Statements such as "I am tired",

however, would not be part of someone's self-concept, since being

tired is a temporary state and therefore cannot become a part of a

self-schema. A person's self-concept may change with time as

reassessment occurs, which in extreme cases can lead to identity

crises.

1.1 Literature Review

Researchers debate over when self-concept development begins. Some

assert that gender stereotypes and expectations set by parents for their

children impact children's understanding of themselves by approximately

age 3. Others suggest that self-concept develops later, around age 7 or 8,

when children are developmentally prepared to interpret their own feelings

and abilities, as well as feedback they receive from parents, teachers, and

peers. Despite differing opinions about the onset of self-concept

development, researchers agree on the importance of one’s self-concept,

which influences people’s behaviors and cognitive and emotional outcomes

including (but not limited to) academic achievement, levels of

happiness, anxiety, social integration, self-esteem.

Academic self-concept refers to the personal beliefs about their academic

abilities or skills. Some research suggests that it begins developing from

ages 3 to 5 due to influence from parents and early educators. By age 10 or

11, children assess their academic abilities by comparing themselves to their

peers. These social comparisons are also referred to as self-estimates.  Self-

estimates of cognitive ability are most accurate when evaluating subjects

that deal with numbers, such as math. Self-estimates were more likely to be

poor in other areas, such as reasoning speed.

Some researchers suggest that, to raise academic self-concept, parents and

teachers need to provide children with specific feedback that focuses on

their particular skills or abilities. Others also state that learning opportunities

should be conducted in groups (both mixed-ability and like-ability) that

downplay social comparison, as too much of either type of grouping can

have adverse effects on children's academic self-concept and the way they

view themselves in relation to their peers.

Differences of world views about self-concept in relation to others that differ

within other cultures, Western cultures place particular importance on

independence and the expression of one's own attributes (i.e. the self is

more important than the group).Asian cultures, however, favor

an interdependent view of the self:  interpersonal relationships are more

important than one’s individual accomplishments, and individuals experience

a sense of oneness with the group. Such "identity fusion" can have positive

and negative consequences. Identity fusion can give people the sense that

their existence is meaningful (e.g. Japanese nuclear plant workers expose

themselves to radiation to help fix the plant after a tsunami); and this type of

mindset is associated with a high quality of life. On the other hand, such

strong interdependence can lead to catastrophic events such as acts of

terrorism.

A small study done in Israel showed that the divide between independent

and interdependent self-concepts exists within cultures as well. Mid-level

merchants in an urban community were compared to those in

a kibbutz (collective community). The collectivist merchants valued the

interdependent self more than the urban ones, who held more value to

independent traits. The individualists described themselves largely in terms

of personal traits, while collectivists used more hobbies and preferences.

When the individualists did give interdependent responses, most responses

were focused on work or school; individualist responses from interdependent

focused most on residence.

Gender deference

Research from 1997, inspired by the differences in self-concept across

cultures, suggested that men tend to be more independent, while women

tend to be more interdependent.  A study from 1999 showed that, while men

and women do not differ in terms of independence or interdependence, they

differ in their types of interdependence. Women utilize relational

interdependence (identifying more with one-to-one relationships or

small cliques), while men utilize collective interdependence (defining

themselves within the contexts of large groups).

Gender differences in interdependent environments appear in early

childhood: by age 3, boys and girls choose same-sex play partners,

maintaining their preferences until late elementary school. Boys and girls

become involved in different social interactions and relationships. Girls tend

to prefer one-on-one (dyadic) interaction, forming tight, intimate bonds,

while boys prefer group activities. One study in particular found that boys

performed almost twice as well in groups than in pairs, whereas girls did not

show such a difference.

Girls are more likely to wait their turn to speak, agree with others, and

acknowledge the contributions of others. Boys, on the other hand, build

larger group relationships based on shared interests and activities. Boys are

more likely to threaten, boast, and call names, suggesting the importance of

dominance and hierarchy in groups of male friends. In mixed-sex pairs, girls

were more likely to passively watch a male partner play, and boys were

more likely to be unresponsive to what their female partners were

saying. The social characteristics of boys and girls tend to carry over later in

life as they become men and women

Why do people choose one form of media over another? According to the

Galileo Model, there are different forms of media spread throughout three-

dimensional space. The closer one form of media is to another more similar

the source of media is to each other. The farther away from each form of

media is in space, the least similar the source of media is. For example

mobile and cell phone are located closest in space where as newspaper and

texting are farthest apart in space. The study further explained the

relationship between self-concept and the use of different forms of media.

The more hours per day an individual uses a form of media, the closer that

form of media is to their self-concept.

Self-concept is related to the form of media most used. If you consider

yourself tech savvy, then you will use mobile phones more often than you

would use a newspaper. If you consider yourself old fashioned, then you will

use a magazine more often than you would instant message.

Objectives and Hypothesis

The principles and ethics that bound in the nursing profession, is not as easy as others uncertainly proclaim. The purpose of this study is to overview what kind of profession the nurses in the hospital, and in the community. Aside from the care and assistance they possessed along with different attitudes and culture of each patients. Nurses remain humble, and passionately serve with their means of responsibilities. This study also determine in shaping the real essence as a nurse, not only in the position with the bounded environment to them, but seeking what kind of manifestation towards with co nurses, and some other personnel in the hospital. There are some took nursing course for a personal reason, or ambition. Which is leads them to failing career path.

Ho1. Is there a significant relationship between:

5.1 profile and rate of professional self concept rendered

by the nurses;

5.2 manifestation of professional self concept and rate

rendered by the nurses.

1.2 Definition of Terms, VariableThe important terms in this study are defined conceptually and operationally for better understanding.

Curriculum. Refers to the degree program in which a nurse possesses the profession. With the entire population could either choose which program they would study such as: Thai, Bilingual or International curriculum.

Nursing students. Refers to the individuals who are currently enrolled to formal educational program in Christian University of Thailand leading to the degree in nursing.

Profile. Refers to the personal information of the respondents who participates in the study.

Strengths. This refers to the excellent performance level of nurses in terms of their professionalism and working behavior with one another in an environment bound in common trends with certain corporate ruling.

Weaknesses. This refers to the lowest performance rating of nurses during their entire participation of administering professional self concept to patients in banphaeo Hospital.

1.3 Scope of the Research

This study aims to determine the level of strengths and weaknesses of the nurses and determine their rate of professional self concept perceived by the registered nurses in banphaeo Hospital. The findings of which will served as a base for the development of an action plan.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following queries:1. What is the profile of the student nurses in terms of:

1.1 age;1.2 sex;1.3 civil status;1.4 highest educational attainments;

2. What is the rate of professional self concept among nurses in banphaeo hospital?

3. What is the level of strengths of the nurses in rendering professional self-concept?

3.1 What is the level of weaknesses of nurses in rendering reaction with the working place environment?

2. Is there a significant relationship between:

4.1 profile and level of nursing care management rendered by the student nurses;4.2 study habits and level of nursing care management rendered by the student nurses? 5. What action plan that can be proposed based on the findings of the study?

2.1 Expected Benefits

Moreover, the results of this study can be of benefit to the following:

Patients (Foreign and Locals): May benefit from competent administration of nursing care management and the principles of ethical approach with patients.

Student Nurses: Results of this study may provide them insights as to their learning conditions. Thus may be a form of supervising clinical instructors or registered nurses assessments and evaluation may use to enhance their knowledge and skills in the involvement of nursing self concept with the profession the engage to their patients.

Clinical Instructors: Results may provide them information regarding the enhancement of their student’s knowledge and skills as they were involved in the nursing professional self-concept. These factors are essential for both the supervising clinical instructor and the student nurses in establishing an environment that is conducive for working place and practical views for learners.

Registered Nurses: They may be able to identify the strengths and weakness of the professional nurses and do something on areas that needs attention so that their practice may become evidence-based. Moreover they became more competent and willfully dedicated to their vowed profession.

The Researcher: As a researcher and academician will be able to gather objective data that will enable to formulate helpful inputs. Since this study is very rare in most Asian countries, moreover in relating to nursing profession.

Future Researchers: The future researchers will be encouraged to conduct similar studies in a wide scope which may particularly probe into areas and variables not included in the present study.

2.2 Method 2.2.1 Research Methodology

This study will utilize a descriptive-correlational design utilizing quantitative with qualitative approach to determine the level of nursing care management of the student nurses as perceived by the registered nurses and their strengths and weaknesses of student nurses in rendering nursing care.

The correlational design will be used as the study determined the relationship between the student nurses’ profile and their level of nursing care management as perceived by the registered nurses.

2.2.2 Population, Sample Group and Research SiteThe researcher of this study will randomly select from the available hospital personnel. The respondents chosen will be nurses assigned in the areas of Medical-Surgical units, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Operating Room units, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Intensive Care Units, Emergency Room Department and Out-Patient Department of Banhpaeo Hospital.

This study will be conducted in Banphaeo Hospital . The hospital has employed more or less 200 registered nurses and 100 nurse trainees. It was established more than 50 years ago to provide in- and out-patient medical care 24 hours a day. It has been serving the community for both local and international. There were approximately more than a hundred outpatient treatment as well as inpatient admissions daily with 7-8 students nurses assigned to each department. Each unit has 2 registered nurses, 2 nurse aides and one supervisor on duty in an 8-hour-shift. The ratio proportion of supervising clinical instructors to student nurses is 1:8 in every unit of the hospital except in the Emergency Department, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and Intensive Care Unit.

2.2.3 MaterialsThe study will employ a structured questionnaire on

the evaluation of professional nurses’ strengths and weakness during the evaluation of nursing professional self concept. Perform their obliged profession in the hospital, with the presence of actual patients specifically in their assigned areas of responsibility.

Part I is the demographic profile which includes age, gender, civil status, and highest education attainment.

Part II is the rate of professional self concept of nurses is a form of a checklist based on the universal core competencies in nursing and evidence-based standardized tool authored by Nathalie Smith, RN, MSN, CNP (December 2, 2011). There is a total of twenty-one (21) items with 5-point likert scale ranging from one, needs improvement to four, excellent. A higher score reflects a higher placing excellent on foreseeable strengths of nursing students’ involvement in the nursing care management of patients.

Part III is a structured and validated questionnaire guide to determine the level of student nurses study habits based on study skills inventory from Academic Advising for Student Success and Retention, 2004, p. 74, by Michael Edward Anderson, William G. Maguire, David Crocket, and Juliet Kaufman. There is a total of twenty-one (21) items with 5-point likert scale ranging from one, never to three, excellent. A higher score reflects a higher placing excellent in study habits.

2.2.4 Method of Data CollectionOnce approved by the Research Committee of Christian University of Thailand, a transmittal letter will be forwarded to the president, dean and likewise, to the respondents requesting permission to conduct the study to ensure cooperation throughout the study.Upon approval of the request to conduct the study the researcher then conduct using the standardized tool for evaluation. The researcher will orient the correspondents about the tool and its categorical responses. After which, the questionnaires will be gathered and data will be classified, tabulated and will be subjected to SPSS for data treatment and analysis.

2.2.5 Analysis MethodThe following statistical tools will be used to treat the data:To determine the profile of the participants or respondents of the study, simple percentage will be used.Weighted Mean will be used to determine the level of nursing care management.Standard deviation will be used to determine relationship between profile and rate of professional self concept among selected nurses.Thematic Content Analysis will be used to determine the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data.

2.3 References

Measurement of professional self concept of nurses

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7494526

Measuring self concept of the nurses http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2648.1992.tb01969.x/abstract

The professional self concept of nurses: A review literature from 1992 -2006 by David Arthur http://www.ajan.com.au/Vol24/Vol24.3-10.pdf