Professional socialization (socialization) is the process of learning roles, values, attitudes and norms of a protession (Blais & Hayes, 2011). The socialization process of nursing begins before nursing school and continues through nursing careers. There is no specific pattern to this process; it sometimes moves forward and sometimes backwards, and its progress and activities are irregular and unpredictable (Howkins & Ewin, 1999). Although, experiences of socialization are not always positive and influential, it is a part of growth and development througnout nursing careers. My socializaton o1 nursing Degan berOre nursing School, expanded through nursing school and clinical, and continues in my current profession as a nurse. Many people think that the positive aspects or socializaton 1orm the character or proression, however, negaive experiences or role transitions and adaptations provide an opportunity for growth and development into an ideal nurse.
Why do you want to be a nurse? Every nurse has been asked that question. I am diterent from most nurses, because I did not have any immediate nurse relatives to 10ok up toO or inspire me. However, my grandparents worked as toster parents tor the local children’s home and their caring. loving ways inspired my want to care and help people. My first job was as a lifeguard, second job was at a daycare, so Iguess I could say I have always been a caring helpful person. The enjoyment I encountered while working these jobs meant that l enjoyed helping people. With my caring character, I chose to pursue nursing as my profession.This is when my socialization of nursing expanded in both positive and negative ways. Beginning nursing school was an intense and challenging time of my life. The transition from student to registered nurse is when development of intellectual and professional skills occurs (Duchscher, 2009). Nursing students encounter tacuty, colleagues, patients, and other health care professionals that are a tactor in the sOCialization process (Blais, 2011).
One of my nursing instructors always reminded us that we were “above the Dar, iniuencing and reminaing us to Keep our stanaards, Denaviors, ana goais nign tnrougnout nursing school It was als0 an expectation for us to stay “above the bar” until we finished. It was definitely challenging to meet tnat expectation during clinical rotations.. Fositve and negative influences occurred based on your preparation for the day, which preceptor you had, and which patient and family you were assigned to. The attitudes and actions of the nurses on the floor of my rotation deeply influenced my perception of nursing. A negative attitude or environment was definitely a distraction of my learning experience. At the end of the day, I would question whether or not this was the profession for me.
After surviving nursing school, I began applying for various nursing jobs. This process was a stressful part of socialization because I did not know it I would ever find a job. Within a month, I was offered positions in two ditferent areas; telemetry and surgical iCU. I chose surgical iCu tor the learning experiences and challenges it would expose me to. Role transition is the process of assuming or developing a new role (Blais, 2011). In my role as a Surgical lCU, I felt as though I would never meet the expectations of the surgical lcu nurse role. Insecure feelings of competence and abilty to transition into the working life are not uncommon feeling of a new nurse (Kaihlanen, Lakanmaa, & Salmien, 2013). Having a good role model to follow made the feelings of being a new nurse less stressful for me. The exceptional qualities of my nursing preceptor allowed me to adapt to the new environment rather quickly.
In less than a year in the unit, I was a preceptor and taking on the role of charge nurse. The transition gave me a sense of security and confidence as a nurse. Just asIgained that feeling, an obstacle was thrown into my path. The facility changed from paper charting to computerized charting. This advancement in technology challenged the positive socialization aspects as we adapted to the change. Throughout my career as a surgical ICU nurse, I have been influenced positively and negatively to establish the formal socialization levelI am at today. In conclusion, my intormal and formal socialization experiences have given me a want to continue positive socialization aspects of nursing. Throughout perception experiences, I have encounter positive and negative influences which allowed me to grow and become the nurse I am today. The constant reminder of staying “above the bar, made the role transition and social aspects of nursing come together in a positive way for me. As I continue my nursing career, I will adapt to the changes of socialization to contorm to present day nursing expectations.
- Blais, K. K., & Hayes, J. S. (2011). Professional nursing practice Concepts and perspectives (6th ed.).
- Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Duchscher, J.B.E., (2009). Transition shock: the initial stage of role adaption for newly graduated registered nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(5).
- Howkins, E. J., & Ewens, A. (1999). How students experience professional socialization. Journal of Nursing Studies, 36(1). International
- Kaihlanen, A., Lakamaa, R., & Salminen, L. (2013). The transition from nursing student to The mentors possibilities to act as a supporter. Nurse Education in Practice, 13(5). registered nurse:
