Factors Influencing Professionalism in Nursing Among Korean American Registered Nurses

Although significant numbers of foreign nurses are currently employed in the United States, little research about nursing professionalism exists for this population. The study assessed the levels of professionalism and examined factors associated with professionalism among Korean American registered nurses (RNs). Hall's Professionalism Inventory (HPI) scale was used for this correlational descriptive study. Data were collected, using a mailing survey, with a convenience sample of Korean American RNs living in the United States (n = 221). Current position in nursing, current employment status, work setting, total years of nursing experience, total years of nursing experience in the United States, location of final degree attainment, and duration of nursing education in the United States were associated with the level of professionalism among Korean American RNs. Variables predicting professionalism included membership in professional organizations (β = .204, P < .000) and total years of nursing experience in the United States (β = .198, P = .001), and they accounted for 8.6% of the total variance in the HPI score. The findings suggest that multiple internal and external factors are associated with professionalism among Korean American RNs and provide an understanding of trends in professionalism from an international perspective.

Index words: Korean American Nurses, Professionalism, Professional attributes