Work environment as perceived by nursing interns and its relation to their professional identity

Abstract

Background The work environment is very important during the internship year, it influences nursing interns’ behaviors, contributes to their performance and socialization in the nursing profession, additionally, it affects the nursing interns’ professional identity. Aim Assess the work environment as perceived by nursing interns and its relation to their professional identity. Study design A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Sample A convenience sample of 350 nursing interns. Setting: This study was carried out at Cairo University hospitals at different ICUs where nursing interns are assigned. Tools Three tools were used for the study data collection as follows: (1) Nursing interns’ personal data tool, (2) Nursing interns’ work environment questionnaire, and (3) Nursing interns’ professional identity questionnaire. Results The main findings indicated that the nursing interns had a highly perceived work environment (81.47%) and a highly perceived professional identity (86.46%). Furthermore, the findings revealed a statistically significant strong positive correlation between work environment and professional identity (r: 0.67, P: 0.00). Conclusion The nursing interns were highly perceived work environment and professional identity. Additionally, there was a strong positive correlation between work environment and professional identity as perceived by nursing interns. Recommendations Follow-up with academic advisors for nursing students from their entrance to the nursing faculty until their graduation, especially for students who entered the nursing faculty without their desire, and provide orientation programs for undergraduate nursing students and nursing interns about different nursing profession opportunities after graduation.