Professional Socialization refers to the process of individuals acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, norms, and interests to effectively carry out their professional roles (Maclntyre, Murray, & Teel, 2009). This process can occur through formal or informal means. Formal socialization involves planned experiences like conducting physical assessments, creating nursing diagnoses, and providing client education. On the other hand, informal socialization involves acquiring knowledge and skills incidentally while working as a nurse.
Professional Socialization involves the learning process of taking responsibility for my own professional development as a nurse. To transition from a task-oriented nursing approach to one focused on decision-making and problem-oriented patient care, it is important for me to envision myself as a capable nurse who can extend patient care within the nursing profession. Additionally, I understand that relying solely on providing basic care and seeking assistance from other Registered Nurses should not be limiting factors in my professional growth.
My professional socialization as a nurse encompasses formal education, informal learning, and a shift in my self-perception. I firmly believe that enhancing my self-image along with understanding my role, attitude, values, and personality is crucial for professional development. Emphasizing self-image is particularly significant within the nursing field as it influences my conduct. Furthermore, how I view myself will impact how others perceive me.
To enhance my self-image, there are various ways I can improve my interactions with others. These include increasing the frequency of smiling and laughing, offering assistance when needed, and giving compliments. Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge how one’s role in the nursing field impacts their self-image. From what I have noticed, others tend to perceive their nursing role as more professional compared to my own perception, indicating room for improvement. This emphasizes the connection between our perceptions of our roles and our overall self-image. Consequently, it prompts us to question which behaviors are expected from nurses.
My attitude is influenced by my coworkers, whom I find easy to work with. It is important for me to acknowledge that everyone has their own opinions and the right to hold them. Personally, I believe that nursing’s importance has evolved, which in turn affects socialization outcomes. When practicing nursing and delivering patient care, it is crucial to set aside personal values and consider the diverse values of others. I believe it is possible to effectively manage both aspects. It is essential for me to recognize that not all patients share the same value system as mine.
I am deeply dedicated to practicing in my field and hold a strong belief in the value and importance of each individual. My personality greatly shapes how I conform to professional expectations. Autonomy holds immense significance for me, and I am convinced that I already possess it. As Fetzer (2003) states, “RN to BSN students have already cultivated professionalism through their workplace practice and experiences” (p. 1). I believe that as I become more engaged in my field, there will be increased opportunities for me to enhance my professional attitude, behavior, and values.
By expressing my expectations, setting high standards, showing respect to others, maintaining regular and timely communication with coworkers for feedback, and striving to be a positive example, I believe I can achieve these five goals. It is crucial to remember that one’s behavior in their profession often establishes the standard for others, resulting in overall professional improvement. To summarize, I am receptive to new experiences and approaches in patient care and fully embrace the responsibilities of being a Registered Nurse.
