Self-development: The Process of Professional development in Iranian Nurses

Flora Rahimaghaee*, Shahram Salavati**, Nahid Dehghan Nayeri***, Eesa Mohammadi****, Melanie Birks*****
* Assistant Professor & Faculty Member of Islamic Azad University, Tonekabo Branch.
** Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch & PhD Candidate of UTM Malaysia.
*** Associate Professor & Faculty Member, Tehran University of Medical Science.
**** Associate Professor & Faculty Member, Tarbiat Modares University.
***** Deputy Dean, Assistant Dean Learning and Teaching in CQ University School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Periodicity:November - January'2013
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.2.4.2104

Abstract

Nowadays, change is inevitable, especially in the health care organizations, so Commitment to professional development is vital to most professions, including nursing. In Iran, nurses constitute a sizable amount of the people in the health care organizations, but no sufficient attention is paid to them and their development by the organization and the staff development programs available is assessed as inefficient by nurses.  Therefore, it seems that understanding the concept and the process of development as viewed by nurses could assist the organizations and management and the nurses to achieve the same. The purpose of this study was to explore Iranian clinical nurses’ professional development process. Grounded theory was chosen as the method for conducting this inquiry that was carried out at Tehran medical university hospitals. A total of 21 clinical nurses and nursing managers participated through a purposeful and theoretical sampling frame. The participants had nursing experience ranging from 3 to 28 years and worked in various clinical areas.  Data were mainly collected through open-ended interviews to engage participants in dialogical interview relationships. No additional participants were sought when analysis indicated that data saturation had been reached.  Data was analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’ (2008) grounded theory approach to analysis. After analyzing the data, we identified four categories that included participants’ experiences regarding processing of Self-Authorized Professional Development.  The stages of this process are Self-awareness, Engagement to work, Self-acceptance, and Experimental self-proceeding. This research contributes to nursing knowledge by identifying a process through which nurses developed professionally. This understanding can be useful in nursing education to help prepare nurses for workplace realities and to help managers adopt an active role in developing their employees.

Keywords

Clinical nurse; Grounded Theory; Professional development; Self-development.

How to Cite this Article?

Rahimaghaee, F., Salavati, S., Nayeri, N.D., Mohammadi, E., and Birks, M. (2013). Self-development: The Process of Professional development in Iranian Nurses. i-manager’s Journal on Nursing, 2(4), 25-34. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.2.4.2104

References

[1]. Adams, R.N. (2006). Being and becoming an exemplary nurse an authentic journey. Dissertation for PhD degree. Victoria University of Wellington.
[2]. Batalden, P.B. (2001). If improvement of the quality and value of health and health care is the goal, why focus on health professional development? Journal of Nursing care quality, 15 (4): 17-28.
[3]. Bobay, K., Gentile, D.L., & Hagle, M.E. (2009). The relationship of nurses' professional characteristics to levels of clinical nursing expertise. Apply nursing research, 22: 48-53.
[4]. Burns, B. (2009). Continuing competency: What's ahead? Journal of perinatal neonatal nursing, 23 (3): 218-227.
[5]. Clark, T., & Holmes, S. (2007). Fit for practice? An exploration of the development of newly qualified nurses using focus groups. International Journal of Nursing studies, 44: 1210-1220.
[6]. Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research. 3th Ed. INC: Sage publication.
[7]. Crouse, K.J. (2003). Perceptions of innovation, professional development and professional vitality of nursing faculty in Connecticut. Dissertation Degree PhD. University of Hartford.
[8]. Danielson, E., & Berntsson, L. (2007). Registered nurses' perceptions of educational preparation for professional work and development of their profession. Nurse education today, 27 (8): 900-908.
[9]. Fletcher, C., & Bailey, C. (2003). Assessing self-awareness: Some issues and methods. Journal of managerial psychology, 18 (5): 395-404.
[10]. Ford, R. (2009). Complex leadership competency in health care: Towards framing a theory. Health Service Management Research, 22 (3): 101-114.
[11]. Gholipour, A. (2007). Organizational Behavior Management (Individual Behavior). Tehran: Samt Publisher. [In Persian]
[12]. Gregg, F.M., & Magilvy, J.K. (2001). Professional identity of Japanese nurses: Bonding into Nursing, 3: 47-55.
[13]. Grossman, Sh. (2007). Assisting critical care nurses in acquiring leadership skills development of a leadership and management competency checklist. Dimensions of critical care nursing, 26 (2): 57-65.
[14]. Hagbaghery, A., Salsali, M., & Ahmadi, F. (2004). A qualitative study of Iranian nurses' understanding and experiences of professional power. Human Resources for Health, 2 (1): 9-19.
[15]. Hansen, R.E. (2000). The role of experience in learning: Giving meaning and authenticity to the learning process in schools. Journal of Technology Education, 11 (2): 23-32.
[16]. Hallin, K., & Danielson, E. (2008). Registered nurses' experiences of daily work, a balance between strain and stimulation: A qualitative study. International journal of nursing studies, 44 (7): 1221-1230.
[17]. Heath, J., Andrews, J., & Garaham, G. (2001). Assessment of professional development of critical care nurse: A descriptive study. American Journal of Critical Care, 10 (1): 17-22.
[18]. Hersey, P., Blanchard, K.H., & Johnson. E. (2008). Management of Organizational Behavior. Switzerland: Pearson Prentice Hall.
[19]. Horton-Deutsch, S., & Sherwood, G. (2008). Reflection: An educational strategy to develop emotionally competent nurse leaders. Journal of nursing management, 16: 946-954.
[20]. Individual Learning strategies. (2008). A guide to IDPs, Naval Post Graduate School, Human Resource Office. www.greatleadershipbydan.com.
[21]. Jantzen, D. (2008). Reframing professional development for first-line nurses. Nurse inquiry, 15 (1): 21-29.
[22]. Lincoln, Y.S., & Guba, E.G. (1985). Establishing trustworthiness, Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
[23]. Manion, J. (2003). Joy at work creating a positive workplace. Journal of Nursing Administration, 33 (12): 652-659.
[24]. McCabe, T.J., & Garavan, T.N. (2008). A study of the drivers of commitment amongst nurses. Train, 32 (7): 528-68.
[25]. Mcnickle, E. A. (2009). A grounded theory study of intrinsic work motivation factors influencing public utility employees aged 55 and older as related to retirement decisions. A dissertation for the degree doctor of philosophy. Capella University.
[26]. Mohr, D.C., & Lukas, C.M. (2008). Predicting health care employees' participation in an office redesign program: Attitudes, norms and behavioral control. Implementation of Science, 3 (14): 1-9.
[27]. Munro, K.M. (2008). Continuing professional development and the charity paradigm: interrelated individual, collective and organizational issues about continuing professional development. Nurse education today, 28 (8): 953-961.
[28]. Nayeri, N., Nazari, A., Salsali, M., Ahmadi, F., & Adib Hajbaghery, M. (2006). Iranian staff nurses' views of the productivity and management factors improving and impeding it. Nursing health science, 8 (1): 51-56.
[29]. Rahimaghaee, F., Nayeri, D., & Mohammadi, E. (2011). Iranian nurses´ perceptions of their professional growth and development. Online Journal of issues in nursing, 16 (1): DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol16No01PPT01.
[30]. Schuurman, Sh. D. (2008). An exploration of the individual characteristics and abilities contribute to competent professional performance in social work practitioners. Dissertation Submitted to Michigan State University.
[31]. Strubert Speziale, H.J., & Carpenter, D.R. (2007). Qualitative Research in Nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins.
[32]. Tabari Khomeiran, R. (2006). Professional competence: Factors described by nurses as influencing their development. International Nursing Review, 53 (1): 66-72.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.