• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.363-373
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare nursing professionalism between diploma students and bachelor students and to identify differences in factors affecting nursing professionalism according to nursing educational system. Methods: The participants were 462 nursing students who had completed all clinical practicum courses. Of these students, 255 were from one of 2 diploma degree colleges and 207 were from one of 3 bachelor degree universities. Collected data included general characteristics, professionalism, nursing image, self-efficacy, satisfaction with nursing as a major, and satisfaction with clinical practice. Results: Age, religion, grade point average, motivation for admission, nursing professionalism and satisfaction with clinical practice were significantly different between diploma and bachelor students. Image of nurse, satisfaction with nursing as a major and satisfaction with clinical practice were common factors influencing nursing professionalism in both groups. Self-efficacy was a significant factor only for diploma degree students and religion was a significant factor only for bachelor degree students. Conclusion: For more positive nursing professionalism by students, more attention should be paid to enhancing positive nurse images, satisfaction with nursing as a major and satisfaction with clinical practice during the students' period of study.