Correlation between self-differentiation and professional adaptability among undergraduate nursing students in China

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the current status of self-differentiation and professional adaptability among undergraduate nursing students, to analyze the relationship between these two variables, and to provide recommendations for nursing educators. Methods: A total of 341 nursing undergraduate students at the University of South China were investigated using the Differentiation of Self Inventory and the Professional Adaptability Scale for college students. Results: The mean scores of self-differentiation and professional adaptability were 3.70 ± 0.60 and 2.87 ± 0.37, respectively, and the two variables were positively correlated (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The level of self-differentiation of undergraduate nursing studentsaffects their professional adaptability. Nursing educators should consider the characteristics of self-differentiation of undergraduate nursing students in developing measures to improve their professional adaptability.

Keywords

• Nursing students
• Self-differentiation
• Professional adaptability