International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing Annual Symposium: A Virtual Event
Professional Identity in Nursing (PIN) Charting a New Path Forward
Held on 7 October 2025.
Conference Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Describe the difference between professional identity and professionalism.
Discuss the status and future application of the Professional Identity in Nursing Scale (PINS 2.0).
Discuss the [how] or next steps to advance the science and adoption of the concept of Professional Identity in Nursing.
Identify strategies to enhance collaboration to foster Professional Identity in Nursing in practice, policy, research, and education.
Identify issues related to transitioning from socialization thinking to professional identity thinking.
The purpose of this year's symposium was to advance the science of professional identity formation, embodiment, and transformation. We convened virtually this year to ensure that all nurses can engage, meeting in convivial symposium fashion to advance the field of professional identity in nursing together.
Agenda
Professional Identity in Nursing Charting a New Path Forward
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Welcome and Tone setting
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Professionalism and Professional Identity in Nursing: Clarification Can Strengthen the Nursing Profession
Nelda Godfrey, PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF, and Rhoda Owens, PhD, RNProfessional Identity in Nursing and Professionalism are two concepts often not understood and misused in nursing practice. This presentation will focus on the positive impact that can occur in workplace environments and patient outcomes if all nurses can embrace, embody, and integrate these two concepts into all their practice areas.
Professional Identity in Nursing Scale Development, Testing, and Future Directions
Tulla Landis, PhD, RN-BC, CNLThe original Professional Identity in Nursing Scale (PINS) was created in 2020. The PINS has undergone extensive psychometric testing and revisions based on studies conducted with diverse groups of nurses. Psychometric testing confirmed that the PINS is a valid and reliable measure. Replication studies are needed to strengthen the PINS psychometrics, which will allow researchers to quantify nurses.
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Professional Identity Development: Preliminary Results from a Global Comparison of Nursing Students
Anita Fitzgerald, PhD, RN, AGNP, and Dan Butcher, EdD, MSc, PGDip, BA(Hons), RGN, SFHEAThis presentation shares preliminary findings from a global study examining how nurse students understand and develop professional identity across eight countries. The results highlight shared elements such as knowledge, confidence, role models, and person-centered care, alongside cultural differences shaped by education, social status, and healthcare systems. We discuss the implications for teaching strategies and nurse migration.
The Power of Belonging: Reimagining Nursing Identity
Deborah Stamps, EdD, MBA, MS, RN, GNP, NE-BC, CDE, FADLN, FAANThis research initiative has been developed by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) subcommittee of the International Society of Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN). The primary aim of this project is to validate an innovative model that integrates DEI principles with the domains of Professional Identity in Nursing, utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a foundational framework. The project seeks to solicit comprehensive feedback from a diverse group of nursing professionals, including practicing nurses, nursing educators, and nurse leaders. This feedback is critical for evaluating the practical applicability and effectiveness of the model in fostering an inclusive and professional identity within the nursing community. The study intends to gather diverse perspectives to ensure the model's relevance and adaptability across various nursing environments and cultural contexts.
Research Showcase: Professional Identity in Academics, Practice, and Statewide Nursing Organizations
Jennifer Embree, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS, FAAN, Angela Opsahl, DNP, RN, CPHQ, Kathie Williamson, PhD, MSN, RN, ANEF, Gregory Carter, PhD, RN, AACRN, Mandelle Dorstler, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AACC, CCK, Whitney Osborn, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, Tatiana Laitano Rodriguez, MBA, BSN, RN, ECBLS, Matthew S. Howard, DNP, DNP, RN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN, CPN, FAEN, Katie Feley, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CAE, Cathy Wichman, MSN, RN, Caroline G. Mullins, MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, Alyson Keene, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, Jeffrey Noyed, MSThis session will describe how researchers identified Professional Identity in Nursing and well-being among academics, practitioners, and statewide nursing organizations.
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Break
Scholar Showcase
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Podium Presentations:
Themes from Nurse Residency Program Evaluation: Strengthening Professional Identity to Support Transition to Practice
Brittany Beckmann MSN, RN, NPD-BC & Meg Ingram, MSN, RNExplore strategies to embed professional identity concepts across nurse residency programs to support growth, confidence, retention, and long-term professional development.
Caring with Courage: An Effective Audiovisual Tool for Professional Identity Formation of Nursing Students
Hildegart Gonzalez-Luis, PhD, MCs, Bsc, Rahma Daira-Ababasia, RN, & María Pozo-Carrera, RNDiscover how the Caring With Courage series fosters nursing students' identity, broadens their perspectives, and inspires pride in the profession.
Curriculum Evaluation for the Pillars of Professional Identity in an RN to BSN Program
Tracy Hayes, DNP, RN, CPNUsing the Context, Input, Product, Process (CIPP) curriculum evaluation model, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted for an RN to BSN program to produce curricular and program recommendations.
Contemporary Factors Influencing Professional Identity in Acute Care Nurses
Ashley Howle, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNE, Greg Carter, PhD, RN, AACRN, & Deanna Reising, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN, FNAP, ANEFExplore recent evidence on factors shaping professional identity in acute care nurses and their implications for future research and practice.
Formation of Professional Identity, Self-Confidence in Clinical Decision-Making and Self-Perceived Professional Readiness in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Janne Vanuytrecht, MScN, RN, PhD researcher, Veerle Schoeters, MScN, RN, PhD researcher, Eva Goossens, PhD, MScN, RN, Marc Peeters, PhD, MD, Erik Franck, PhD, MScPsy, RNUnraveling the interplay between professional identity, self-confidence in clinical decision-making, and self-perceived professional readiness in nursing students: Insights from a cross-sectional study.
Tree of Impact: Cultivating Professional Identity Through Reflective Engagement
Michelle Schwab, MSN, RN, CNS, AGCNS-BC, TCRN; Brianna Carr, PhD, MEd, BA, RN; & Margaretha Kasim, DNP, RN, CNS, AGCNS-BC, EBP-CHThe Tree of Impact offers a symbolic framework for event engagement through reflective practice and collective narrative, fostering belonging and PIN growth across roles.
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Poster Presentations
Enhancing Student Professional Identity in Nursing (PIN) Formation: A Reflective In-Cass Experience
Anne Fara-Emy DNP, RN, NE-BC & Jennifer Embree DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS, FAANThis session will describe an in-class student reflection designed to explore the concept of PIN and personal PIN development.
Examining the Relationship Between Prior Registered Nurse Experience and the Nurse Practitioner Role Transition: The Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner (RN-to-NP) Study in New England
Mary Fischer PhD MSN WHNP-BC, Emily Wilson PhD, MPH, MS, CHES, & Patricia White PhD, ANP-BC, FAANPThis session presents findings from a qualitative study examining the role of RN experience as a factor in the transition from RN to NP among accelerated direct-entry RN graduates.
Beyond Stereotypes: Measuring the Professional Identity of Nursing in the News Media Using the NMR-PIN Scale
Hildegart Gonzalez-Luis, PhD, Judi Godsey, PhD, & Ana Choperena, PhDAnalyze the importance that the image disseminated by the media has for the configuration of nursing identity and provide a scale capable of evaluating whether that image is coherent according to the domains of ISPIN.
The Caring with Courage series, a tool for shaping the professional identity of nursing students. ISSI's experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Hildegart Gonzalez-Luis, PhD, Teresa Pérez-Trujillo, RN, & Nicole Muyulu, MsCDiscover how a documentary-based intervention empowered nursing students’ professional identity in the DRC to embrace their role locally and rethink migration aspirations.
Remediating Student Nurse Professional Comportment Concerns: A qualitative investigation
Lorretta Krautscheid, PhD, MS, RN, CNE, & Susan Luparell, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEFThis qualitative research explores how nurse faculty compassionately remediate student professional comportment concerns.
Rebuilding Professional Identity in Nursing Through Governance: A Roadmap to Empowerment, Accountability, and Practice Ownership
Amber Messick, DNP, RN, NEA-BCExplore how integrating professional identity into governance structures empowers nurses, boosts engagement, and strengthens practice ownership.
An Interpretive Description of the Transition Process of Military Nurse Veterans
Trisha Mims, PhD, MBA, RN, HCMThis session explores the lived experiences of military nurse officer (MNO) veterans as they transition into civilian healthcare roles. The session will highlight key differences between military and civilian healthcare environments, common barriers faced by transitioning nurses, and the support systems that facilitate successful adaptation and the development of an evolving professional identity.
Voices that Shape Us: Communication Strategies of Professional Nursing Organizations to Strengthen Professional Identity
Edgardo Álvarez Muñoz, RN MSc, Hildegart Gonzalez-Luis, PhD, & Maria José Hernández Leal, RN, MSc, PhDDiscover how strategic communication by nursing organisations can enhance Professional Identity across ethics, knowledge, leadership, and professional behaviour domains.
Cultivating Professional Identity Formation Through a Competency-Based “Tree of Impact” Reflection Assignment in Nursing Education
Kathryn Shaffer EdD, MSN, RN, CNE Susan Buesing DNP, MSN, RN, & Barbara Butynsky EdD, MSN, RN, CPNDiscover how a Professional Identity Tree activity fosters belonging, resilience, and professionalism, aligning with AACN Essentials Domains 9 & 10.
Exploring Burnout and Professional Identity in Direct Care Nurses: A Systematic Review
Lisa Tolls, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, NPD-BCLearn how professional identity relates to nurse burnout, and why it may be key to building more resilient education, practice, and policy systems.
Bilingual School Nurses: Learning a Hybrid Language of Professional Identity in Nursing & School Nursing Practice Framework
Kendrea Todt, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, & Diane Copas, BSN, RNIn this session, we will explore the beauty of transformation and how to harness and utilize liminal spaces in practice to foster growth. This session will provide a glimpse of the strategies used in Tennessee to foster school nurse meaning-making, integrating the PIN model and the NASN Framework.
Enhancing Professional Identity in Nursing: A Systematic Review of Intervention Effects on Professional Identity Formation and Nurse Retention
Janne Vanuytrecht, MScN, RN, PhD researcher, Eva Goossens,PhD, MScN, RN, & Erik Franck, PhD, MScPsy, RNBridging the knowledge gap: Exploring interventions fostering professional identity development within nursing – essential insights for educators and healthcare professionals.
Professional Identity in Nursing: Connection and Impact of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), the Nurses on Boards Coalition, and the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN)
Carol Weingarten, PhD, RN, ANEF, Kenya Williams, EdD, MBA, MSN, RN, RP, CAE, FNYAM, FADLN, FAAN, Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN, FAAN, Natalia Matar, BSN, RN, Cody Mitchell, BSN, RN, & Isabella GalassoThis presentation addresses PIN through the connection of nursing education, NSNA, NOBC, and ISPIN, and discusses the impact of seamless transition to professional nursing organizations and practice after graduation.
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Parting thoughts evaluation instructions