The Validity and Reliability of Professional Self-Concept in Nursing in Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's Nursing Students

Background and Purpose: Accelerated bachelor's and master's nursing students supported through the New Careers in Nursing program were surveyed (n = 3,506) using subscales from Arthur's Professional Self-Concept in Nursing Instrument (PSCNI). Reliability and validity of the instrument was assessed. Methods: Factor analysis using a random split-half design were conducted and differences investigated based on characteristics. Results: Four factors were revealed: leadership (alpha =.85), skill (alpha =.89), career positivity (alpha =.72), and career negativity (alpha =.72), with acceptable confirmatory fit. Gender and race/ethnicity differences were found in self-perceived leadership and skill and in career positivity by race/ethnicity. Accelerated bachelor's and master's students were different on skill and career positivity. Conclusions: Self-perceived leadership, skill, career positivity, and career negativity are distinct PSCNI concepts.