Self-esteem of nursing students

Abstract

Self-esteem in nursing is a fundamental part of personal and professional identity. The process of becoming a nurse plays an integral part in the formation of self-esteem, whereby the knowledge, attitudes, values and skills which are characteristic of nursing, are gradually assimilated (Randle, 2002). The aim of this descriptive exploratory study is to explore rationale for the findings on nursing students' self-esteem obtained by a previously quantitative study by Dr Donia Baldacchino. A convenience sample of nine staff nurses (females n=4 and males n=5) participated in two separate focus groups. The audio-taped qualitative data, was transcribed and analysed using Thematic analysis based on the framework of Burnard (1991). Four major themes emerged, namely, the general self esteem, the social self-esteem, the personal self-esteem and factors influencing the students' levels of self-esteem. These four themes, especially the social and academic self-esteem, were common to all participants, which appear to be the four most important aspects in a nursing student's life. It is hoped that this study will increase awareness, about the contributing factors which may increase or decrease nursing students' self-esteem. Recommendations were set in order to introduce structured educational modules addressing means of coping and managing one's self-esteem. Further longitudinal research may help to demonstrate the vital role of self-esteem within nursing students' life across time.