Process of internalization of professional integrity in nurses: A grounded theory

Background: Professional integrity is defined as a commitment to the five fundamental values of integrity, trust, equality, respect, and accountability. The aim of this study is explaining the process of internalization of professional integrity in Iranian nurses.Methods: This study was conducted in ۲۰۱۹ using grounded theory method. The data collection methods consisted of semi-structured interview, observation, and field note. After conducting ۲۰ interviews data saturation was achieved. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed by Corbin and Strauss ۲۰۰۸ approach. one note software was used for sorting the data.Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the Research Deputy and Research Ethics Committee. The aim of the study, as well as participants’ rights such as confidentiality of their identity were explained to them. It was stressed that participation was voluntarily, and written consent was obtained.Findings: The theory which emerged by this study was labeled as “integrative care in challenging care context”. This theory consists of five main categories including “appropriate ethical context”, “nurturing academic system” “integrative care”, “challenging care context”, and “inner peace”. Appropriate ethical context consisted of “proper family context” and “spiritual beliefs”. Nurturing academic system was composed of “compassionate education” and “nature of profession”. “Passive management” and “insufficient system” constituted the “challenging care context”. Integrative care included “optimal care” and “professional affairs”. Finally, inner peace consisted of “facilitating of care process” and “mind tranquility”.Conclusion: Appropriate ethical context and furthering academic system prepare individuals for internalizing the professional integrity in academic environment. Nurses encounter with many challenges in clinical setting for internalization of professional integrity. However, they use some strategies such as adhering to the spirituality and personal beliefs for overcoming these obstacles.

کلیدواژه ها:

Grounded Theory ، Nurse ، Professional Integrity