, Geraldine E . TITLE Professional Socialization in Nursing

Profettional socialization is the process by which individuals acquire the Specialized knowledge, skills, attitudes, values,_norms, and interettS needed to perform their professional roles acceptably. The following interacting domains of potential professional self-growth can be defined as outcomes of the socialization process: Self-image, role concept, attitudes,_values, and personality. An examination of professional literature on the issue of professional socialization in nursing that was written between 1956 anA 1985 revealed that there has been no unified framework in which to study Socialization. The sociological model__ advocated in the 1960s has not been empirically supported in nursing. Although it is difficult to generalize results since most of the studies pertaining to nursing were limited to one_or two schools, the evidence suggests that changes toward professional growth do occur_in some domains as a result of the educational process._Of the 24 change studies rePorted in the literature, 21 were conducted in baccalaureate degree programs and 3 in diploma programs. None were conducted in associate degree programs. Thus, little is known about the effect of the educational environment in associate degree programs on the professional socialization of the nurses graduating from them. Despite the considerable changes in society, the nursing profeSsion, and nursing education that have occurred in the last 10 years, most socialization research was done over 10 years ago. More research is also needed on the factors that contribute to the similarities and differences among the_types of socialization outcomet resulting from different types of educational programs. (MN) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** Professional Socialization In Nursing-