The Theory of Nursing Professional Identity Formation Model
The Theory of Nursing Professional Identity Formation Model. © Mary Ann Siciliano McLaughlin 2026. The purpose of this post is to introduce a new middle-range nursing theory called The Theory of Nursing Professional Identity Formation . This middle-range theory builds upon previous seminal theoretical and conceptual work in nursing to better explain what it means to “think, act and feel like a nurse” within a healthy work culture throughout their career. Establishing this theory allows for consistency in the education, practice and lifelong learning of nurses. The theory begins with the four components of the traditional nursing metaparadigm. The best way to approach this model is from the top left corner at person and proceed clockwise. See Figure 3 for the model that accompanies this theory. The person is someone whose vision of nursing is based upon the concept of social identity and societal norms they have learned throughout their life. This future nurse is ...
