From Direct Care to Leader: What Happens to One’s Professional Identity in Nursing?

In this study, we explored nurse leaders' experiences regarding how their sense of professional identity changed-and how it stayed the same-when moving from the direct care role to leading others. Four themes emerged: (1) One's Sense of Profes-sional Identity Is Foundational; (2) Professional Identity and Functional Role Work in Tandem; (3) Leading Expands One's View; (4) We Must Build Bridges. Participants' responses revealed that one's professional identity is both dynamic and foundational and endures as an important component of one's professional nursing life.