Professional identity and hospital-based registered nurses: A phenomenological study.

INTRODUCTION: Nurses continue to struggle to define their role as professionals in the hospital-setting often being represented in media as less competent than other health care providers. Paradoxically, an annual poll of the public consistently identifies nursing as the most trusted profession. This dichotomy of simultaneously being considered incompetent yet holding a high level of trust leads nurses to question their own professional identity. A gap exists in the literature about the professional identity of nurses who work directly with patients in the hospital environment. METHODOLOGY: Therefore, the aim of this interpretive phenomenology study was to describe the lived experience of nurses working with patients in the hospital environment and the meaning of this phenomenon as it relates to their professional identity. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (a) being validated as an expert by providers within the healthcare system; (b) working well as a valued member of a team; (c) advocating for the patient's needs despite opposition; and (d) Valuing human-ness in the patient. IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide a deeper representation of the practice of hospital-based nurses and implications for Anchornurses to be empowered in their workplace.

A CBPR Approach to Finding Community Strengths and Challenges to Prevent Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse.

PURPOSE: To improve health and reduce health disparities, research partnerships with American Indian and Alaska Native communities should build on existing traditions and strengths. The overall goal of this pilot project was to clarify the needs of tribal community members and determine strengths and resources available to the community. DESIGN: Community-based participatory research was the approach used to obtain community input. Data collection methods included, Photovoice ( n = 16), digital storytelling ( n = 4), and community capacity surveys ( n = 128). RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative findings supported the need to (1) address youth suicide and substance abuse on the reservation and (2) use preexisting resources available in the community. The results led to the development of a strengths-based intervention incorporating the Gathering of Native American's curriculum. CONCLUSION: Integral to the development, implementation, and sustainability of the intervention was the truly reciprocal relationship developed between community and university partners.