The Effect of Cognitive Distortions on Nurses Professional Self-Esteem and Nursing Perception

Objective : This descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the effect of student s and graduated nurses cognitive distortions on professional self-esteem and perception of nursing. Method: The study was performed in Akdeniz University Hospital and Antalya School of Health. The universe of the study was constituted by 322 graduated nurses and 338 student nurses. Student nurses population was consisted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade nursing department students. Data were collected using the Professional Self- Esteem Scale,Cognitive Distortions Scale, “Sociodemographic Form” and Perceptions of Nursing Form”. SPSS-16 statistics package was used during the evaluation of data. Qualitative data was grouped and themed. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Krusskall Wallis test, One Way ANOVA test, t-test and chi-square test were applied to quantitative data in statistical evaluation. Results: The mean age of the graduated nurse participants was found 31,36 ± 6,89 and student nurses’ age avarage was 20,99 ± 1,89. Student s and graduated nurses cognitive distortions affected their professional self esteem and perceptions of nursing. Student nurses’ cognitive distortions was determined as “Negative self- perception” and “self blame”. “Helplessness” and “hopelessness” were graduate nurses’ cognitive distortions. The student and graduated nurses identified the nursing concept as a metaphor of making sacrifices”. Burnout expressions” were used by graduate nurses to state nursing but student nurses told “care” expressions for nursing. Both of groups stated that they would not choose the nursing profession again. Student and graduated nurses informed the opinion of should be gained respectability to the profession. Conclusion: Student s and graduated nurses cognitive distortions affected their professional self esteem and perceptions of nursing. Due to the precenses of cognitive distortions of student and graduated nurses, training programmes are proposed to increase awereness. In addition to this, studies can be performed for more extensive results.