Impostor Phenomenon in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study of Prevalence and Patterns

Abstract

Background: Impostor phenomenon (IP) is an experience of doubt in personal ability and a sense that achievements are fraudulent, resulting in increased psychological distress. This pilot study explored the prevalence and pattern of IP in baccalaureate nursing students related to gender, level in program, and racial identity. Method: A convenience sample of prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students ( n = 150) was surveyed using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). Results: The mean CIPS score was 60.13 (range, 26–92). Patterns observed across gender, level in program, or racial identity did not differ significantly. However, frequent to intense feelings of impostorism were reported by 48.7% of students, and 92% reported at least moderate IP characteristics. Conclusion: Many students in this study reported IP experiences, indicating risk for negative effects such as anxiety and lack of confidence. Further study in this population and specifically among minority nursing students is needed. [ J Nurs Educ . 2021;60(6):329–332.] .

Burnout and impostor phenomenon in nursing and newly licensed registered nurses: A scoping review

“…Articles measuring IP included three articles on nursing students (Aubeeluck et al, 2016; Christensen et al, 2016; Jacobs & Sasser, 2021), and two discussing the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) two to four years postgraduation and CNS students. All 13 studies on burnout in NLRNs included new nurses whose experience ranged from three months to three years.…”

“…CNS students who identified as impostors reported feeling that their admission into a highly competitive speciality program was an accident, but that being able to put a name to and recognise their feelings of impostorism helped them feel more empowered and liberated (Haney et al, 2018). Prelicensure nursing students had prevalence rates ranging between 48.7% for students at various points in their nursing program (Jacobs & Sasser, 2021) and 70% for graduate‐entry nursing students who had a prior degree in a subject other than nursing (Aubeeluck et al, 2016). In all three studies on prelicensure nursing students, severity ranged between 7% and 8% for severe, 33.4%–63% for frequent and 43.3%–45% for moderate amounts of impostor feelings.…”

“…In all three studies on prelicensure nursing students, severity ranged between 7% and 8% for severe, 33.4%–63% for frequent and 43.3%–45% for moderate amounts of impostor feelings. The mean CIPS scores reported for nursing students ranged from 57.0 to 60.13 (Christensen et al, 2016; Jacobs & Sasser, 2021).…”

The Great Resignation, Newly Licensed Nurse Transition Shock, and Emergency Nursing

“…This crisis of confidence can cumulate into a transition crisis as the new nurse moves from the being to the knowing phase approximately 6 to 8 months after orientation. 18,25 Monitoring the new nurse during this stage for signs of disillusionment or expressions of disappointment in the profession is paramount to guiding them to a new level of acceptance of practice realities in health care.…”

“…transition crisis and the imposter syndrome that Duchscher 19 elegantly describes may have much broader applications to consider in career transitions and assuming new leadership responsibilities along the entire professional continuum. [25][26][27]…”