At the center of effective nursing leadership is something often overlooked: how nurses understand themselves within the profession.
In a past ALSN webinar, What is Professional Identity in Nursing? And Why Does It Matter?, Dr. Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF, defines professional identity in nursing as “a sense of oneself, and in relationship with others, that is influenced by characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline, resulting in an individual thinking, acting and feeling like a nurse.”
This concept moves beyond job descriptions or roles. It reflects how nurses internalize the values, knowledge, and expectations of the profession, and how that internalization shapes leadership behavior and patient outcomes.
As nursing roles continue to evolve, understanding this foundation is becoming increasingly important for individual nurses and the advancement of nursing leadership science .
Professional Identity in Nursing Is Not the Same as Professionalism
For years, nursing education and nurse leadership development have relied on the concept of “professionalism.” But as Dr. Godfrey explains, that language has limitations.
“The science is telling us that the term professionalism, particularly in our field, is inadequate to achieve the things that we want to achieve,” says Dr. Godfrey.
Professionalism is often interpreted narrowly as showing up on time, following rules, and meeting expectations. Professional identity in nursing takes a different approach. It develops over time and reflects how nurses think, make decisions, engage with others, and understand their role within the broader discipline.
This distinction matters for nurse leadership. Nurse leaders who operate with a strong professional identity do more than manage tasks. They shape culture, guide decision-making, and influence how nursing is practiced.
The Link Between Professional Identity in Nursing and Patient Outcomes
The impact of professional identity in nursing on patient care shows up in how nurses think, communicate, and make decisions in real clinical settings.
Nurses with a strong professional identity tend to demonstrate clearer clinical judgment, more effective communication, and a greater sense of responsibility for both patients and the profession. They are more likely to advocate for patients, uphold high practice standards, and engage meaningfully with their teams.
When that sense of identity is not well developed, the opposite patterns begin to emerge. Role confusion, self-doubt, and disengagement can take hold. These challenges affect not only the individual nurse, but also team dynamics and the quality of care being delivered.
Over time, these differences shape patient outcomes. Strong professional identity in nursing supports consistency, accountability, and trust within care environments, while its absence can lead to gaps in communication, reduced confidence in decision-making, and lower overall performance.
Why This Matters for Nursing Leadership
Nursing leadership extends across clinical, academic, and organizational settings, where roles and expectations continue to evolve. Professional identity provides a consistent foundation within that complexity.
As Dr. Godfrey explains, “A strong professional identity allows nurse leaders to distinguish between their disciplinary core, the professional identity of nursing, and the functional roles they may take on over time.”
This distinction matters. Nurse leaders may move between roles, but their identity as a nurse remains central to how they make decisions and guide others.
Without that foundation, leadership can become reactive or tied to a specific role. With it, leaders operate with greater clarity, consistency, and purpose.
The Four Domains of Professional Identity in Nursing
Professional identity in nursing is grounded in four core domains: values and ethics, knowledge, nurse as leader, and professional comportment.
These domains define what it means to think, act, and lead as a nurse. They provide a clear structure that can be applied across education, leadership development, and clinical practice. Rather than remaining a theoretical concept, professional identity becomes something that can be intentionally developed over time.
A Discipline Still Defining Itself
Nursing is a relatively young academic discipline, and that has shaped how professional identity has developed within the field.
“We’re very young as an academic discipline,” explains Dr. Godfrey.
While other professions have long integrated identity formation into education and practice, nursing is still establishing a shared understanding of what defines the discipline. This ongoing effort is helping to strengthen leadership, clarify expectations, and support more consistent practice across settings.
As healthcare continues to evolve, expectations for nurse leaders are expanding and the environments in which they work are becoming more complex. In that context, a clear foundation becomes increasingly important. Professional identity in nursing provides that foundation by shaping how nurses think, make decisions, and lead within the discipline.
Exploring Professional Identity in Nursing Through ALSN
The Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN ) continues to bring forward research, dialogue, and practical frameworks that advance understanding of nursing leadership.
Through webinars like What is Professional Identity in Nursing? And Why Does It Matter?, ALSN connects nurse leaders, educators, and researchers to ideas that are shaping leadership and practice. These conversations help translate emerging research into real-world application.
For those looking to deepen their understanding of nursing leadership and stay connected to evolving research and practice, ALSN offers ongoing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional development.
Continue the Conversation
To explore this topic further, visit ALSN’s On-Demand Webinar Library and watch: What is Professional Identity in Nursing? And Why Does It Matter?
About The Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN)
The Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN ) was established in 1970 as the Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing as a formal organization dedicated to collegial relationships and intellectual exchange among nurse educators whose focus was nursing administration at the graduate level.
ALSN’s diverse membership includes advanced practice nurses in leadership, education, research, and those fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. ALSN’s mission and vision are grounded in the commitment to advance leadership science providing evidence to improve quality outcomes for all those served.
Through ALSN’s many on-going activities, webinars, conferences, JONA journal articles and scholarly recognition awards, ALSN claims a wide span of influence on nursing leadership research. Learn more at ALSN.info
