Factors influencing professionalism among nurse educators: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Nurse educators require to exhibit specialized behaviors that demonstrate the beliefs of the nursing profession. The aim of the study is to explore the factors influencing professionalism among nurse educators in the selected nursing educational institutes of Indian States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative approach was adopted where multiple focus group discussions were planned and conducted. The study was carried out among nurse educators from the Northern Indian states. Thematic analysis, using the argumentative interactions approach was used. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guide were followed. RESULTS: Three types of factors, that is, individual (micro-level), organizational (meso-level), and external professional occupational (macro-level) were explored, where individual factors emerged as having a strong positive impact on nurse educators’ professionalism as compared to other factors. Poor organizational infrastructure, privatization of educational institutions, and other related factors were reported as having a negative influence on nurse educators’ professionalism. CONCLUSION: Most of the educational institutions included in the present study, lacked basic infrastructure/facilities for the professional development of nurse educators and professionalism.