Objective:

To know the professional identities of registered nurses in Portugal and the meaning of ongoing transitions in order to provide the necessary support for professional identity challenges.

Materials and method:

Mixed approach research conducted between 2016 and 2017. A Psychosocial Identity Inventory was utilized as an instrument of data collection, along with a sample of 102 nurses, 19 of which were subsequently interviewed. We analyzed some data that corresponded to the possible selves and the identification on the core and peripheral elements of the professional identity, and also of the professional factors.

Results:

A dominant group of nurses was discovered divided between the focus on care with professional autonomy, and the focus on institutional needs, fearing the depersonalization in care. We also identified another professional group, more related to caring, which shows no signs of this institutionalization, but wishes to achieve a greater development regarding human relations and scientific knowledge.

Conclusions:

The possible identity transitions identified, can occur according to the acknowledgment of their work and reinforcements offered, sometimes corresponding with business model of healthcare management and subsequent depersonalization of care, or with a sense of autonomy achievement and the rescue of care, based on scientific profession.

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