Supporting the development of professional identity in nursing students

Professional identity, which reflects an individual’s self-concept as a nurse, is a defining aspect of nursing. The development of professional identity in nursing students is shaped by their educational preparation, clinical experiences and relationships with the wider multidisciplinary team and patients. This article discusses the process of professional identity formation in nursing students and considers various factors that can influence its ongoing development as they progress and transition to newly registered nurses. The authors consider how nurses and educators can foster a sense of belonging in nursing students, provide them with consistent supervision and create supportive learning environments to help them establish resilient and authentic professional identities.