Professional identity statuses of first-year college students in general practice nursing programmes : the case of Lithuania

Abstract

Introduction: What is nowadays called “globalization” enforces social, economic and political changes which make collegial higher education institutions search for the best possible means to more effectively adapt to the fast changing environment and prepare competitive professionals for the market. Professional identity is the important factor, which increases competitiveness of a young specialist in the labor market. Person’s professional identity forms whilst training in a higher education institution– the development of person’s knowledge, abilities, skills, approaches, values and beliefs, which takes place during theoretical and practical studies. According to most scientists’ opinion, professional identity forms from the first year of study by acquiring deeper professional understanding, developing professional values and approaches. When analyzing the peculiarities of professional identity development, some scientists apply the concept of the Marcia identity research, which functions in the context of problem solution. Marcia distinguishes four statuses of identity according to alternative exploration level and decision-making crisis as well as the commitment to certain field: the lowest – Identity diffusion, higher – Foreclosure, still higher – Identity Moratorium, the highest – Identity Achievement. The article analyzes the levels of the professional identity statuses of first-year students’ in the General Practice Nursing programmes in Lithuanian colleges. The research was performed in March – April 2012 when the first-year students in the General Practice Nursing programme followed theoretical subjects and passed clinical practice work tasks. The research involved 251 first-year Nursing students, whose age was from 18 to 49 years.[...]