Assessment 1: Reflective Essay on Professional Identity in Foundations of Nursing

Foundations of nursing courses  often emphasize building a strong professional identity through reflection, helping students connect theoretical knowledge with personal values and future practice. This assignment draws from common introductory nursing assessments focused on self-awareness and ethical foundations.

Assignment Overview

This assessment requires you to write a reflective essay exploring your emerging professional identity as a nurse. Drawing on course concepts from NURS 1011 (D439) Foundations of Nursing, reflect on how foundational principles shape your understanding of nursing practice.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the core foundations of nursing practice, including ethics, caring, and professional roles.
• Analyze personal values and experiences in relation to nursing professional identity.
• Utilize reflective practice to identify strengths and areas for growth in preparation for clinical roles.

Task Description

Write a 1500-2000 word reflective essay addressing the following:

1. Introduce your current understanding of nursing as a profession, referencing key historical and theoretical foundations.
2. Reflect on a personal experience (real or simulated) that influenced your decision to pursue nursing or highlighted the importance of patient-centered care.
3. Discuss how concepts such as empathy, evidence-based practice, and cultural competence align with your personal attributes.
4. Explore challenges in developing professional identity and strategies to overcome them.
5. Conclude with a personal philosophy statement outlining your commitment to nursing.

Use a reflective model such as Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle to structure your essay. Support your reflections with references to course readings and external sources.

Assessment Criteria

• Depth of reflection and self-awareness (40%)
• Integration of foundational nursing concepts (30%)
• Clarity, structure, and academic writing style (20%)
• Appropriate use of references (10%)

Submission Guidelines

Submit via the course learning management system by the due date. Use APA or Harvard referencing style. Include a title page and reference list.

References

Refer to the suggested resources below for guidance.

NURS 1011 Foundations of Nursing reflective essays help students develop professional identity in 2025. This assessment aligns with current nursing education standards for building reflective practice skills essential for registered nurses. Search for similar foundations of nursing assignments to prepare effectively.

 References

• Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V. and Day, L., 2010. Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
• Crigger, N. and Godfrey, N., 2019. Professional identity in nursing: A scoping review. Nursing Education Perspectives, 40(6), pp.330-337.
• Fitzpatrick, J.J., 2021. The importance of professional identity in nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 42(1), pp.1-2.
• Horton, K., Tschudin, V. and Forget, A., 2022. The value of nursing: A literature review. Nursing Ethics, 29(4), pp.899-912.
• Younas, A. and Maddigan, J., 2023. Proposing a policy framework for nursing education for fostering compassion in nursing students. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(5), pp.1625-1635.