Professional Self-Concept and Critical Thinking of Pediatric Nurses in Turkey

Objecetives: There has been an increasing demand for nurses with advanced professional qualifications. A professional self-concept and critical thinking in nurses are necessary for determining complicated patient care needs and for finding and applying accurate and practical solutions in patient management. This study conducted to determine level of critical thinking and professional self-concept and the relationship between these concepts in pediatric nurses. Study Design: The study was conducted with 120 nurses working at a public hospital in Middle Anatolia in Turkey. The data were collected using a questionnaire, the Professional Self-Concept Scale in Nurses (PSCSN) and the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI). Results: A significant positive association was found between the mean PSCSN and CCTDI scores of the nurses (p<0.05). Educational and employment status, voluntary choice of job and communication with other health care professionals influenced the mean scores of professional self-concept and critical thinking in nurses. Conclusion: It was determined that critical thinking ability is important in developing professional self-concept, and educational status, working position, choosing the profession willingly and communication with the other healthcare staff were effective on professional self-concept and critical thinking.