Influence of nurse's image and satisfaction with the nursing major on their career identity: The mediating effect of professional self-concept

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of professional self-concept on the relationship between nurse’s image and career identity, and between satisfaction with the nursing major and the career identity of nursing students.Methods: This study utilized a descriptive methodology, and 205 nursing students attending three universities in Busan Metropolitan City participated in it. Data were collected from self-reported questionnaires between March 26 and April 30, 2022. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple and multiple regression using the IBM SPSS 22.0 program and Sobel test.Results: The mean score of career identity was 2.92±0.57 out of a possible 4. Career identity showed a significantly positive correlation with nurse's image (r=.32, p<.001), satisfaction with major (r=.47, p<.001), and professional self-concept (r=.32, p<.001). Additionally, professional self-concept had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between nurse's image (Z=2.44, p<.001), satisfaction with major (Z=2.35, p<.001), and career identity.Conclusion: The results of the study show professional self-concept had a mediating effect on the relationship between nurse's image, satisfaction with the nursing major, and career identity. Based on the study’s results, career identity education programs for nursing students need to include nursing image, satisfaction with major, and professional self-concept.