Qualitative study explores nurses’ perceptions of professional identity in psychiatric settings, suggesting implications for policymakers.
Professional identity in nursing enhances understanding of the profession, acceptance of professional roles, and self-awareness, enhancing patient care overall. Here, we aimed to explore the professional identity of nurses within psychiatric environments. We employed a qualitative descriptive design. Individual and semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses (n = 28) working in psychiatric wards. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Data analysis identified professional identity as a central construct, primarily expressed through ethical excellence, and shaped by internal (professional interaction) and external (cultural threats, organizational and social support) influences. This study demonstrates that professional identity is a foundational characteristic of psychiatric nursing, grounded in ethical excellence and shaped by professional and sociocultural influences. Professional identity emerged as a morally grounded and socially negotiated construct, continuously shaped by dynamic interactions within clinical and societal contexts. These findings offer a strategic framework for nursing policymakers to strengthen professional resilience within psychiatric care.
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Rezaee et al. (2026) studied this question.
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