Professional Identity During a Time of Crisis is the Light for Nurses and Patients By Zashary Ramos-Sandoval
Professional Identity is an unfamilliar term and is sometimes overlooked by the health care community . In times of crisis , we can lose focus on our own ethical awareness , confidence , and advocacy due to exceedingly high demands from the public and the health care system . As a certified nurse assistant ( CNA ) on an intensive care unit ( ICU ), I remember how often nurses were frustrated during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic because they felt like their efforts were not enough . This eventually led to burnout . Having a foundation of professional identity in the nursing discipline will encourage nurses to expand their knowledge , skills , and values in order to best support the patient during a crisis as well as achieve self-satisfaction in their performance .
Domains of Professional Identity According to Godfrey , there are 4 domains of professional identity : values and ethics , knowledge , nurse as leader , and professional comportment ( 15 ).
• Values and ethics are demonstrated based on the nurse ’ s integrity , caring , and empathy ( Godfrey , 2021 ). For example , during the pandemic , a nurse on an ICU took the time to talk to patients about their feelings in order to best support the patients ’ needs . The nurse was able to display caring during a circumstance that was filled with stress , which led patients to feel like they were in good hands and trusted the nurse more throughout the day .
• Knowledge is demonstrated based on the nurse ’ s capacity to display clinical judgement , evaluate interventions , and recognize cues and patterns of the patient ( Godfrey , 2021 ). For example , it is crucial to have the capacity to view a patient ’ s health trends in order to prevent negative outcomes . To provide high quality of care that is effectively treating the patient ’ s condition , it is essential to evaluate the patient ’ s outcome based on our interventions .
• Leadership is not always associated with a person in power . To best advocate and communicate with the patient as well as the health care team , a nurse needs to have leadership skills . As nurses , we are the mouthpiece for our patients which is an important responsibility . During the pandemic ( or any circumstances ), it is essential to communicate with families , patients , and the health care team in order to be on the same page in undertaking / appropriate interventions to meet the patient ’ s health care goal .
• Lastly , professional comportment of professional identity is the ability to base actions on respect , patient-centered objectives , and collaboration within the health care team ( Godfrey , 2021 ). It is essential that we include the patient in care planning discussions because a patient ’ s needs or perspective is often different compared to the eyes of the health care team . Respecting the patient ’ s needs and concerns will best improve patient outcomes .
32 NSNA IMPRINT • APRIL / MAY 2022 • www . nsna . org