The impact of [corrected] expanded nursing practice on professional identify in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
This article explores the concept of professional identity of Danish nurses working in an expanded practice. The case study explores the experiences of a small group of Danish nurses with a new professional category that reaches into a domain that customarily belonged to physicians. The aim of this case study was to explore the impact of "nurse consultations," representing an expanded nursing role, of 5 nurses focusing on their perception of autonomy, self-esteem, and confidence.


METHODS
The case study used semistructured interviews with 5 participants triangulated and validated with participant observations, a focus group interview, and theoretically derived insights.


RESULTS
This study indicates that nurses working within a new expanded professional practice see themselves as still engaged in nursing and not as substitute physicians. The study also suggests that the involved nurses gained a higher sense of autonomy, self-esteem, and confidence in their practice. These elements have a positive impact on their professional identity.


CONCLUSIONS
The research demonstrates that for the nurses involved in expanded professional practice, the boundaries of professional practice have shifted significantly. The research indicates that an expanded practice generates a new domain within the professional identity of nurses.
Author Affiliations: Outpatient Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Karinpiil77@hotmail.com
Karin
K
Piil
Raymond
R
Kolbæk
Goetz
G
Ottmann
Bodil
B
Rasmussen
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy