A thematic analysis of professionalism from the perspective of nurse managers

Professionalism is a multidimensional and dynamic concept that can be understood and interpreted differently in time, job position, or culture. Our study investigated how nurse managers interpret and understand professionalism in the Slovak sociocultural context.

Methods & Materials: 

This qualitative study adopted an interpretive design. The sample consisted of seven nurse managers working in the selected university hospital in Slovakia. Data were collected between November and December 2021 using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

The reflexive thematic analysis resulted in developing six key themes specified in twenty-one sub-themes: Developing and maintaining professionalism; Challenges and problems of professionalism in nursing; Teamwork; Violation of professionalism; Requirements to become a nurse professional; Social status of nurses. These themes represent the perception of nurse managers of professionalism as a complex phenomenon grounded in the background and attitudes of nurses, socialization, quality of teamwork, profession requirements wrestling with the shortage of nurses, dominance of medicine, and lack of respect for the profession of nurses.

Together with other healthcare managers, nurse managers should continuously support and guide novice nurses and nursing students, share knowledge and skills, overcome stereotypes, support teamwork through strengthening nurse-patient collaboration or building collegian relationships, and improve the social status and recognition of nurses in society.