Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic promotes the sense of professional identity among nurses

Abstract

Background: Under the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are the mainstay in the fight against the pandemic.

Purpose: To evaluate potential impact of the pandemic on nurses' professional identity.

Method: Self-report questionnaires were distributed online. Data collected were compared with available norms. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to calculate the OR of frontline vs. nonfrontline nurses.

Findings: The mean of the total score of the scale was 121.12 out of 150. Both the total score and scores on the five dimensions were significantly higher than norms. Frontline nurses had a significantly higher professional identity than non-frontline nurses (total score: odds ratio [OR], 1.19; professional identity evaluation: OR, 1.27; professional social support: OR, 1.18; professional social proficiency: OR, 1.33; and dealing with professional frustration: OR, 1.19). The most frequently mentioned tags were Hope, Frontline, Protection, Outbreak, Work, Situation.

Discussion: COVID-19 outbreak was associated with an enhancement in the professional identity of nurses.

Keywords: COVID-19; Nurses; Online survey; Pandemic; Professional identity.