PROFESSIONAL SELF-CONCEPT AMONG SELECTED NURSES AT

BANPHAEO HOSPITAL

Background and Significance of the Research Problem:

The professional self-concept of nurses is an important

component in the professional and academic development of the
nursing profession. Few studies have concentrated on the careful
development of the construct of professional self-concept in nurses.
This study focuses on a pilot group of nurses from the banphaeo hospital to
develop the multi-dimensional construct professional self concept of nurses. It
would be broader when we sight with a professional self concept as a key
word for this study. Taking the word alone as self-concept it defies
that Self-concept is distinguishable from self-awareness, which refers
to the extent to which self-knowledge is defined, consistent, and
currently applicable to one's attitudes and dispositions. Self-concept
also differs from self-esteem: self-concept is a cognitive or descriptive
component of one's self (e.g. "I am a fast runner"), while selfesteem is evaluative and opinionated (e.g. "I feel good about being a
fast runner").

The self-concept is an internal model that uses self-

assessments in order to define one's self-schemas.

Features such

as personality, skills and abilities, occupation and hobbies, physical

characteristics, etc. are assessed and applied to self-schemas, which
are ideas of oneself in a particular dimension (e.g., someone that
considers themselves a geek will associate "geek-like" qualities to
themselves). A collection of self-schemas make up one's overall selfconcept. For example, the statement "I am lazy" is a self-assessment
that contributes to self-concept. Statements such as "I am tired",

however, would not be part of someone's self-concept, since being

tired is a temporary state and therefore cannot become a part of a
self-schema. A person's self-concept may change with time as
reassessment occurs, which in extreme cases can lead to identity
crises.

1.1

Literature Review

Researchers debate over when self-concept development begins. Some

assert that gender stereotypes and expectations set by parents for their
children impact children's understanding of themselves by approximately age
3. Others suggest that self-concept develops later, around age 7 or 8, when
children are developmentally prepared to interpret their own feelings and
abilities, as well as feedback they receive from parents, teachers, and peers.
Despite differing opinions about the onset of self-concept development,
researchers agree on the importance of ones self-concept, which influences
peoples behaviors and cognitive and emotional outcomes including (but not
limited to) academic achievement, levels of

happiness, anxiety, social

integration, self-esteem.
Academic self-concept refers to the personal beliefs about their academic
abilities or skills. Some research suggests that it begins developing from
ages 3 to 5 due to influence from parents and early educators. By age 10 or
11, children assess their academic abilities by comparing themselves to their
peers. These social comparisons are also referred to as self-estimates. Selfestimates of cognitive ability are most accurate when evaluating subjects
that deal with numbers, such as math. Self-estimates were more likely to be
poor in other areas, such as reasoning speed.
Some researchers suggest that, to raise academic self-concept, parents and
teachers need to provide children with specific feedback that focuses on their

particular skills or abilities. Others also state that learning opportunities

should be conducted in groups (both mixed-ability and like-ability) that
downplay social comparison, as too much of either type of grouping can
have adverse effects on children's academic self-concept and the way they
view themselves in relation to their peers.
Differences of world views about self-concept in relation to others that differ
within other cultures,

Western cultures place particular importance on

independence and the expression of one's own attributes (i.e. the self is
more

important

than

the

group).Asian

cultures,

however,

favor

an interdependent view of the self: interpersonal relationships are more

important than ones individual accomplishments, and individuals experience
a sense of oneness with the group. Such "identity fusion" can have positive
and negative consequences. Identity fusion can give people the sense that
their existence is meaningful (e.g. Japanese nuclear plant workers expose
themselves to radiation to help fix the plant after a tsunami); and this type
of mindset is associated with a high quality of life. On the other hand, such
strong interdependence can lead to catastrophic events such as acts of
terrorism.
A small study done in Israel showed that the divide between independent
and interdependent self-concepts exists within cultures as well. Mid-level
merchants

in

an

urban

community

were

compared

to

those

in

a kibbutz (collective community). The collectivist merchants valued the

interdependent self more than the urban ones, who held more value to
independent traits. The individualists described themselves largely in terms
of personal traits, while collectivists used more hobbies and preferences.
When the individualists did give interdependent responses, most responses
were focused on work or school; individualist responses from interdependent
focused most on residence.
Gender deference

Research from 1997, inspired by the differences in self-concept across

cultures, suggested that men tend to be more independent, while women
tend to be more interdependent. A study from 1999 showed that, while men
and women do not differ in terms of independence or interdependence, they
differ

in

their

types

interdependence
small cliques),

of

interdependence.

(identifying

while

men

more

utilize

Women

with one-to-one

collective

utilize

relational

relationships or

interdependence

(defining

themselves within the contexts of large groups).

Gender

differences

in

interdependent

environments

appear

in

early

childhood: by age 3, boys and girls choose same-sex play partners,

maintaining their preferences until late elementary school. Boys and girls
become involved in different social interactions and relationships. Girls tend
to prefer one-on-one (dyadic) interaction, forming tight, intimate bonds,
while boys prefer group activities. One study in particular found that boys
performed almost twice as well in groups than in pairs, whereas girls did not
show such a difference.
Girls are more likely to wait their turn to speak, agree with others, and
acknowledge the contributions of others. Boys, on the other hand, build
larger group relationships based on shared interests and activities. Boys are
more likely to threaten, boast, and call names, suggesting the importance of
dominance and hierarchy in groups of male friends. In mixed-sex pairs, girls
were more likely to passively watch a male partner play, and boys were
more likely to be unresponsive to what their female partners were
saying. The social characteristics of boys and girls tend to carry over later in
life as they become men and women
Why do people choose one form of media over another? According to the
Galileo Model, there are different forms of media spread throughout threedimensional space. The closer one form of media is to another more similar
the source of media is to each other. The farther away from each form of

media is in space, the least similar the source of media is. For example
mobile and cell phone are located closest in space where as newspaper and
texting are farthest apart in space. The study further explained the
relationship between self-concept and the use of different forms of media.
The more hours per day an individual uses a form of media, the closer that
form of media is to their self-concept.
Self-concept is related to the form of media most used. If you consider
yourself tech savvy, then you will use mobile phones more often than you
would use a newspaper. If you consider yourself old fashioned, then you will
use a magazine more often than you would instant message.

Objectives and Hypothesis

The principles and ethics that bound in the nursing profession,
is not as easy as others uncertainly proclaim. The purpose of this study is to
overview what kind of profession the nurses in the hospital, and in the
community. Aside from the care and assistance they possessed along with
different attitudes and culture of each patients. Nurses remain humble, and
passionately serve with their means of responsibilities. This study also
determine in shaping the real essence as a nurse, not only in the position
with the bounded environment to them, but seeking what kind of
manifestation towards with co nurses, and some other personnel in the
hospital. There are some took nursing course for a personal reason, or
ambition. Which is leads them to failing career path.

Ho1. Is there a significant relationship between:

5.1 profile and rate of professional self concept rendered
by the nurses;
5.2 manifestation of professional self concept and rate
rendered by the nurses.

1.2

Definition of Terms, Variable

The important terms in this study are defined conceptually and
operationally for better understanding.
Curriculum. Refers to the degree program in which a nurse
possesses the profession. With the entire population could either
choose which program they would study such as: Thai, Bilingual
or International curriculum.
Nursing students. Refers to the individuals who are currently
enrolled to formal educational program in Christian University of
Thailand leading to the degree in nursing.
Profile. Refers to the personal information of the respondents
who participates in the study.
Strengths. This refers to the excellent performance level of
nurses in terms of their professionalism and working behavior
with one another in an environment bound in common trends
with certain corporate ruling.
Weaknesses. This refers to the lowest performance rating of
nurses during their entire participation of administering
professional self concept to patients in banphaeo Hospital.

1.3

Scope of the Research

This study aims to determine the level of strengths and weaknesses

of the nurses and determine their rate of professional self concept
perceived by the registered nurses in banphaeo Hospital. The findings
of which will served as a base for the development of an action plan.
Specifically, it aims to answer the following queries:
1.
What is the profile of the student nurses in terms of:
1.1
1.2

age;
sex;

1.3
1.4

civil status;
highest educational attainments;

2.
What is the rate of professional self concept among nurses
in banphaeo hospital?
3.
What is the level of strengths of the nurses in rendering
professional self-concept?
3.1 What is the level of weaknesses of nurses in rendering
reaction with the working place environment?
2. Is there a significant relationship between:
4.1 profile and level of nursing care management rendered by
the student nurses;
4.2 study habits and level of nursing care management rendered
by the student nurses?
5. What action plan that can be proposed based on the
findings of the study?

2.1

Expected Benefits

Moreover, the results of this study can be of benefit to the following:

Patients (Foreign and Locals): May benefit from competent
administration of nursing care management and the principles of
ethical approach with patients.
Student Nurses: Results of this study may provide them insights as
to their learning conditions. Thus may be a form of supervising clinical
instructors or registered nurses assessments and evaluation may use
to enhance their knowledge and skills in the involvement of nursing
self concept with the profession the engage to their patients.
Clinical Instructors: Results may provide them information regarding
the enhancement of their students knowledge and skills as they were
involved in the nursing professional self-concept. These factors are
essential for both the supervising clinical instructor and the student

nurses in establishing an environment that is conducive for working

place and practical views for learners.
Registered Nurses: They may be able to identify the strengths and
weakness of the professional nurses and do something on areas that
needs attention so that their practice may become evidence-based.
Moreover they became more competent and willfully dedicated to their
vowed profession.
The Researcher: As a researcher and academician will be able to
gather objective data that will enable to formulate helpful inputs. Since
this study is very rare in most Asian countries, moreover in relating to
nursing profession.

Future Researchers: The future researchers will be encouraged to

conduct similar studies in a wide scope which may particularly probe
into areas and variables not included in the present study.
2.2 Method
2.2.1
Research Methodology
This study will utilize a descriptive-correlational design
utilizing quantitative with qualitative approach to
determine the level of nursing care management of the
student nurses as perceived by the registered nurses and
their strengths and weaknesses of student nurses in
rendering nursing care.
The correlational design will be used as the study
determined the relationship between the student nurses
profile and their level of nursing care management as
perceived by the registered nurses.
2.2.2

Population, Sample Group and Research Site

The researcher of this study will randomly select from the
available hospital personnel. The respondents chosen will
be nurses assigned in the areas of Medical-Surgical units,
Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Operating Room units,
Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Intensive Care Units,

Emergency Room Department and Out-Patient Department

of Banhpaeo Hospital.
This study will be conducted in Banphaeo Hospital . The
hospital has employed more or less 200 registered nurses
and 100 nurse trainees. It was established more than 50
years ago to provide in- and out-patient medical care 24
hours a day.
It has been serving the community for both local and
international. There were approximately more than a
hundred outpatient treatment as well as inpatient
admissions daily with 7-8 students nurses assigned to each
department. Each unit has 2 registered nurses, 2 nurse
aides and one supervisor on duty in an 8-hour-shift. The
ratio proportion of supervising clinical instructors to
student nurses is 1:8 in every unit of the hospital except in
the Emergency Department, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and
Intensive Care Unit.

2.2.3

Materials
The study will employ a structured questionnaire on
the evaluation of professional nurses strengths and
weakness during the evaluation of nursing professional self
concept. Perform their obliged profession in the hospital,
with the presence of actual patients specifically in their
assigned areas of responsibility.
Part I is the demographic profile which includes age,
gender, civil status, and highest education attainment.
Part II is the rate of professional self concept of
nurses is a form of a checklist based on the universal core
competencies in nursing and evidence-based standardized
tool authored by Nathalie Smith, RN, MSN, CNP (December
2, 2011). There is a total of twenty-one (21) items with 5point likert scale ranging from one, needs improvement to
four, excellent. A higher score reflects a higher placing

excellent on foreseeable strengths of nursing students

involvement in the nursing care management of patients.
Part III is a structured and validated questionnaire
guide to determine the level of student nurses study habits
based on study skills inventory from Academic Advising for
Student Success and Retention, 2004, p. 74, by Michael
Edward Anderson, William G. Maguire, David Crocket, and
Juliet Kaufman. There is a total of twenty-one (21) items
with 5-point likert scale ranging from one, never to three,
excellent. A higher score reflects a higher placing excellent
in study habits.
2.2.4

Method of Data Collection

Once approved by the Research Committee of Christian
University of Thailand, a transmittal letter will be
forwarded to the president, dean and likewise, to the
respondents requesting permission to conduct the study to
ensure cooperation throughout the study.
Upon approval of the request to conduct the study the
researcher then conduct using the standardized tool for
evaluation. The researcher will orient the correspondents
about the tool and its categorical responses. After which,
the questionnaires will be gathered and data will be
classified, tabulated and will be subjected to SPSS for data
treatment and analysis.

2.2.5

Analysis Method
The following statistical tools will be used to treat the data:
To determine the profile of the participants or respondents
of the study, simple percentage will be used.
Weighted Mean will be used to determine the level of
nursing care management.
Standard deviation will be used to determine relationship
between profile and rate of professional self concept
among selected nurses.
Thematic Content Analysis will be used to determine the
analysis and interpretation of qualitative data.

2.3

References
Measurement of professional self concept of nurses
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7494526
Measuring self concept of the nurses
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.13652648.1992.tb01969.x/abstract
The professional self concept of nurses: A review literature from
1992 -2006 by David Arthur
http://www.ajan.com.au/Vol24/Vol24.3-10.pdf