Identity Scores Research Articles

Research on the influencing factors of fatigue and professional identity among CDC workers in China: an online cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the status quo and the influencing factors of fatigue and professional identity among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workers in China during...

Genome Characterisation of an Isoprene-Degrading Alcaligenes sp. Isolated from a Tropical Restored Forest.

Simple SummaryIsoprene, a volatile hydrocarbon, is the second most abundantly produced climate-active gas, with largely indirect detrimental impacts, such as extending the residence time of the greenhouse gas methane. Isoprene is mainly emitted by plants and can be consumed by a range of microbes inhabiting diverse environments, including soil. Here, the ability of soil bacteria to degrade isoprene was investigated. Soil samples were taken from beneath wild Himalayan cherry trees in a tropical restored forest area, and an Alcaligenes sp. (strain 13f) was isolated. This isolate used isoprene as a sole source of carbon and energy (32.6% of isoprene was consumed in 18 days). A surprising finding from the genome analysis of Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f was that the well-characterised genes and genetic organisation typical of other isoprene-degrading bacteria were not observed. Thus, we propose that this strain uses a different metabolic pathway for isoprene degradation.Isoprene is a climate-active biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC), emitted into the atmosphere in abundance, mainly from terrestrial plants. Soil is an important sink for isoprene due to its consumption by microbes. In this study, we report the ability of a soil bacterium to degrade isoprene. Strain 13f was isolated from soil beneath wild Himalayan cherry trees in a tropical restored forest. Based on phylogenomic analysis and an Average Nucleotide Identity score of >95%, it most probably belongs to the species Alcaligenes faecalis. Isoprene degradation by Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f was measured by using gas chromatography. When isoprene was supplied as the sole carbon and energy source at the concentration of 7.2 × 105 ppbv and 7.2 × 106 ppbv, 32.6% and 19.6% of isoprene was consumed after 18 days, respectively. Genome analysis of Alcaligenes sp. strain 13f revealed that the genes that are typically found as part of the isoprene monooxygenase gene cluster in other isoprene-degrading bacteria were absent. This discovery suggests that there may be alternative pathways for isoprene metabolism.

The relationship between social media usage by undergraduate nursing students and development of their professional identity: A correlational study

BackgroundHow nursing students perceive themselves as potential nurses in the future is defined as their nursing professional identity. Many undergraduate nursing students present positive attitudes regarding the use of social media. However, the influence of social media usage by undergraduate nursing students on the development of their professional identity is yet to be determined. ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between social media usage by undergraduate nursing students and the development of their professional identity. DesignDescriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study. Setting(s)Two universities in western Saudi Arabia. ParticipantsUndergraduate nursing students who used social media. MethodsAn online questionnaire was designed, and its contents were validated. It was then distributed via a Qualtrics link to students' email addresses and via social media between 4th September 2019 and 28th October 2019. Descriptive analysis including frequencies, percentages, medians, and interquartile ranges were reported. Additionally, a number of non-parametric tests were conducted to investigate the relationships in question. ResultsIn total, 484 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The participants who used social media for educational (p = 0.004), or for professional purposes (p = 0.015) had high scores on the PI scale. The professional identity scores were also positively associated among the participants who followed nurses (p < 0.001), shared their nursing experiences (p < 0.001), and acted as societal educators about the nursing profession (p < 0.001) on social media platforms. ConclusionsEngagement with social media positively influenced undergraduate nursing students in the development of their professional identity. However, it is notable that the pedagogy of nursing education has been slow to adopt social media into nursing curricula. Nursing students require guidance in terms of how to use social media for their professional development.

Arthrobacter terrae sp. nov., a psychrophilic actinobacterium with multi copies of capA gene isolated from Antarctic soil.

A Gram-staining-positive, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, ellipsoidal, strain Z1-20T belonging to the genus Arthrobacter was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Zhongshan station, Antarctic. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain Z1-20T formed a unique single cluster in the genus Arthrobacter and shared high 16S rRNA sequence similarities of 97.1% and 96.9% with A. glacialis HLT2-12-2T and A. psychrochitiniphilus GP3T, respectively. Values of Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between strain Z1-20T against A. glacialis HLT2-12-2T and A. psychrochitiniphilus GP3T were 20.3% and 13.8%, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) score between strain Z1-20T against A. glacialis HLT2-12-2T and A. psychrochitiniphilus GP3T were 72.5% and 72.1%, respectively. Genes for the synthesis of the osmoprotectant glycine betaine and higher copies of capA gene encoding cold shock protein were found in genome of Z1-20T that may help Z1-20T in cold-adaptation. Strain Z1-20T comprised lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. Based on the results of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain Z1-20T represents a novel species of a novel taxon of genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

Development and initial validation of a camper-counselor relationship scale

Residential summer camps, one of the most popular organized programs for children in the United States, may promote several aspects of positive youth development. These positive outcomes may stem in part from camp counselors, who often forge close relationships with youth, but few studies have examined these relationships. To facilitate this research, we developed a camper-reported camper-counselor relationship quality scale. In Study 1, scale items were created and/or adapted and evaluated through expert ratings and cognitive interviews. Exploratory factor analyses using data from 318 campers (ages 7–15) from Jewish overnight camps supported the hypothesized three-factor structure. In Study 2, confirmatory factory analyses of data from a second group of 324 campers from similar camps confirmed the three-factor structure and showed preliminary evidence of concurrent validity; camper Jewish identity scores and age were positively associated with camper-counselor relationship quality. Implications for practice and continued research and validation are discussed.

Place attachment, community trust, and farmer's community participation: Evidence from the hardest-hit areas of Sichuan, China

Traditional community disaster prevention and mitigation relies on the top-down management mode led by the government and ignores the important role played by the participation of peasant households and communities in grass-roots disaster risk management. Based on the sampling survey data of 327 households in the disaster threatened area, An ordered multi-classification logistic regression model was constructed to explore the relationship between farmers' place attachment, community trust and community participation (CP), and further test the mediating effect of community trust on the relationship between place attachment and CP. The results showed that:(1) the self-score of farmers' CP behavior was in the middle level. place attachment was relatively high, with the mean scores of place identity and place dependence being 4.15 and 4.17 respectively. Farmers' community trust is at a high level, among which organizational trust score is the highest with an average of 4.37, and emotional trust score is the lowest with an average of 3.97. (2) Both farmers' local attachment and community trust are positively correlated with their social participation, and community trust has a partial mediating effect between Place attachment and community participation. This study analyzes the correlation between local attachment, community trust and community participation in disaster threatened areas, which can provide support for the construction of community resilience disaster prevention system and improve the comprehensive ability of communities to resist and reduce disaster loss.

Illness Identity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

We examined the degree to which adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) integrated their illness into their identity and linked illness identity to important patient-reported outcomes. A total of 109 adults with IBD, aged 18 to 60 (Mage = 35.93; 77% women) completed questionnaires on the four illness identity dimensions (rejection, acceptance, engulfment, and enrichment), medication adherence, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, health status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The illness identity scores of adults with IBD were compared to existing data from adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), refractory epilepsy (RE), and multisystemic connective tissue disorders (MSDs) using multivariate analyses of covariance. In adults with IBD, associations between illness identity and patient-reported outcomes were examined through hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for sex, age, illness duration, diagnosis, self-reported flares, and co-existing illnesses. Adults with IBD scored higher on rejection and engulfment and lower on acceptance than adults with CHD, lower on rejection but higher on engulfment than adults with RE, and higher on engulfment and enrichment but lower on rejection than adults with MSDs. Higher engulfment scores were related to more depressive symptoms, lower life satisfaction, and a poorer health status and HRQoL. In contrast, higher enrichment scores were related to more life satisfaction and a better HRQoL. Rejection and acceptance were not uniquely related to any of the outcomes. Adults with IBD showed relatively high levels of engulfment. Substantial associations were observed between illness identity and patient-reported outcomes, with engulfment being the strongest, most consistent predictor.

Sutcliffiella deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, facultative anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, DG-18T, was isolated from desert soil sampled at the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, China. Strain DG-18T grew at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 8.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 9.0) and with 0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0%). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain DG-18T within the genus Sutcliffiella of the family Bacillaceae with Sutcliffiella halmapala DSM 8723T (98.2%), Sutcliffiella zhanjiangensis JSM 099021T (97.6%), Sutcliffiella horikoshii DSM 8719T (97.4%), Sutcliffiella catenulata 18CT (96.6 %) and Sutcliffiella cohnii NBRC 15565T (96.5%) as its closest relatives. The major respiratory quinone of strain DG-18T was MK-7 and the major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Its major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1 ω10c. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DG-18T was 38.7 mol% based on total genome calculations. The average nucleotide identity score between the genomic sequence of strain DG-18T and that of S. halmapala DSM 8723T was 76.7 %. The Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator showed that the DNA-DNA hybridization value for strain DG-18T and S. halmapala DSM 8723T was 21.8%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain DG-18T represents a novel species of the genus Sutcliffiella, for which the name Sutcliffiella deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DG-18T (=GDMCC 1.17773T=KCTC 43170T).

Illness perception about hepatitis C virus infection: a cross-sectional study from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a debilitating chronic health problem and can be fatal if left untreated. Illness perceptions are self-manifested beliefs that influence the ability of individuals to cope with their disease and perceive it as manageable or threatening condition. Limited evidence is available from low resource settings regarding patient perception about HCV. In this study, we aimed to assess the perception of individuals with HCV, the impact of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics on their HCV perception, and its link to patient-oriented treatment outcomes.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was undertaken enrolling individuals with HCV who attended Hepatitis C clinics at two hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Illness perception was measured using Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ). Descriptive statistics, Kruskal Wallis tests and Mann Whitney U tests were performed to study patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and to analyze the questionnaire results. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess determinants associated with perception scores.ResultsParticipants represented poor HCV perception and their overall mean BIPQ score was 43.35, SD = 13.15. Participants had a low degree of understanding about their illness (mean coherence score = 2.92, SD = 1.85). Individuals with more than four years, compared to less than one year, of estimated HCV infection were more likely to view that their illness would continue (mean timeline score = 6.27, SD = 2.50 versus 5.36, SD = 2.53; respectively, p < 0.01). Similarly, individuals with hepatic cirrhosis, compared to without, were more likely to attribute symptoms to their disease (mean identity score = 5.48, SD = 2.14 versus 4.89, SD = 2.38; respectively, p = 0.04). Female participants reported higher degrees at which the illness affected them emotionally (i.e., emotional representation) and lower coherence about HCV than males (p = 0.04 and 0.006, respectively). Individuals who did not achieve sustained virological response 24 weeks after treatment with interferon-based therapy, compared to treatment naïve individuals, reported lower trust in being successfully treated with newer anti-HCV agents (i.e., direct acting antivirals) (p = 0.029). However, multivariable linear regression revealed that no sociodemographic or clinical determinants were associated with a higher BIPQ score (i.e., more threatening, or negative perceptions).ConclusionIndividuals with HCV in Pakistan generally report threatening or negative views about HCV infection. Lack of trust in treatment efficacy was also apparent, especially in those who experienced failed anti-HCV treatments in the past. Healthcare professionals should consider these perceptions when treating individuals with HCV to optimize their compliance by aligning their perception with the high effectiveness of current anti-HCV therapies.

Effective identification of varieties by nucleotide polymorphisms and its application for essentially derived variety identification in rice

BackgroundPlant variety identification is the one most important of agricultural systems. Development of DNA marker profiles of released varieties to compare with candidate variety or future variety is required. However, strictly speaking, scientists did not use most existing variety identification techniques for “identification” but for “distinction of a limited number of cultivars,” of which generalization ability always not be well estimated. Because many varieties have similar genetic backgrounds, even some essentially derived varieties (EDVs) are involved, which brings difficulties for identification and breeding progress. A fast, accurate variety identification method, which also has good performance on EDV determination, needs to be developed.ResultsIn this study, with the strategy of “Divide and Conquer,” a variety identification method Conditional Random Selection (CRS) method based on SNP of the whole genome of 3024 rice varieties was developed and be applied in essentially derived variety (EDV) identification of rice. CRS is a fast, efficient, and automated variety identification method. Meanwhile, in practical, with the optimal threshold of identity score searched in this study, the set of SNP (including 390 SNPs) showed optimal performance on EDV and non-EDV identification in two independent testing datasets.ConclusionThis approach first selected a minimal set of SNPs to discriminate non-EDVs in the 3000 Rice Genome Project, then united several simplified SNP sets to improve its generalization ability for EDV and non-EDV identification in testing datasets. The results suggested that the CRS method outperformed traditional feature selection methods. Furthermore, it provides a new way to screen out core SNP loci from the whole genome for DNA fingerprinting of crop varieties and be useful for crop breeding.

Haplotype structures and polymorphisms of dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class I loci shaped by intralocus and interlocus recombination events.

The dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class I genomic region is located on chromosome 12, and the class I genomic region is composed of at least two distinct haplotypic gene structures, DLA-88-DLA-12 and DLA-88-DLA-88L. However, detailed information of the genomic differences among DLA-88, DLA-12, and DLA-88L are still lacking at the full-length gene level, and therefore, DLA allelic sequences classified for each of these loci are limited in number so far. In this study, we determined the DNA sequence of a 95-kb DLA class I genomic region including DLA-88, DLA-12/88L, and DLA-64 with three DLA homozygous dogs and of 37 full-length allelic gene sequences for DLA-88 and DLA-12/88L loci in 26 DLA class I homozygous dogs. Nucleotide diversity profiles of the 95-kb regions and sequence identity scores of the allelic sequences suggested that DLA-88L is a hybrid gene generated by interlocus and/or intralocus gene conversion between DLA-88 and DLA-12. The putative minimum conversion tract was estimated to be at least an 850-bp segment in length located from the 5´flanking untranslated region to the end of intron 2. In addition, at least one DLA-12 allele (DLA-12*004:01) was newly generated by interlocus gene conversion. In conclusion, the analysis for the occurrence of gene conversion within the dog DLA class I region revealed intralocus gene conversion tracts in 17 of 27 DLA-88 alleles and two of 10 DLA-12 alleles, suggesting that intralocus gene conversion has played an important role in expanding DLA allelic variations.

Research on the Relationship Model between Professional Identity and Life Meaning of Clinical Medical Freshmen based on Artificial Intelligence Medical Image Detection.

Objective To understand the current situation of professional identity and life significance of clinical medical freshmen in a university in Xinjiang, analyze its influencing factors, find out the influencing factors and causes, and intervene and improve them. Provide the public with better medical and health management services, so that people can independently and effectively predict and prevent diseases; at the same time, it can also guide people to make more correct and wise choices in uncomfortable situations. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted on 793 freshmen majoring in clinical medicine with the college students' professional identity questionnaire and the Chinese version of the meaning in life scale (C-MLQ). Results The freshmen total score of professional identity was (97.48 ± 12.21). The total score of meaning in life was (53.26 ± 7.15), and the meaning in life and the professional identity were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.467, P < 0.01). Students with first choice, only child, urban living, and parents with a high educational level scored higher in their professional identity (P < 0.05). First choice (β = −0.11, P < 0.001), place of residence (β = −0.07, P=0.03), father's education level (β = 0.08, P=0.04), family monthly income (β = −0.09, P=0.02), and the presence of meaning in life (β = 0.54, P < 0.001) are the influencing factors of students' professional identity. Both professional identity and meaning in life have important relationship with the mental health of medical students. In the development of modern medicine, finding personal career orientation and goals helps to establish a correct outlook on life, values, and the world. It has a positive impact on the development of personal physical and mental health. Conclusion The professional identity and life meaning of clinical medical freshmen are at the upper middle level, which can be improved through medical education and other measures. The joint efforts of society, schools, families, and individual students are needed to improve the professional identity of medical students.

Investigating the professional identity and resilience in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND:Professional identity includes the values and beliefs of a nurse that guide her thinking, action, and interaction with patients. The stressful conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected nursing students' resilience and attitudes toward their profession. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the professional identity and resilience in nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in November and December 2020 with the participation of all nursing students of Babol University of Medical Sciences who spent at least one semester of internship in a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Connor-Davidson resilience scale, and nursing students' professional identity scale. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test, ANOVA, and correlation tests at a significance level of 0.05.RESULTS:Nursing students in the 3rd, 5th, and 7th semesters have spent a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 151 days of internship during the pandemic period. The mean score of professional identity of nursing students was 61.86 ± 9.34 and their mean resilience score was 32.08 ± 13.54. The resilience score of 92% of students was below 50. Professional identity was significantly stronger, and resilience was considerably higher in students who were satisfied with their profession and lived with their families (P < 0.05). In other words, students with higher professional identity scores had higher resilience (r = 0.39, P = 0.000).CONCLUSION:Despite a good professional identity score, the resilience of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic is low. Therefore, professors and the clinical education system should provide more support for students in such stressful times as the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Molecular classification and comparative phylogeographic study of insectivorous bat species (Pipisitrellus coromandra) from Punjab, Pakistan.

Molecular based identification of bat fauna in Pakistan has been relatively less explored. The current study was therefore planned to report for the first time the molecular classification of insectivorous bats (Pipistrellus coromandra) based on mitochondrion gene (COI) from Punjab, Pakistan. Specimens were collected from five different locations followed by DNA extraction with subsequent gene amplification and sequencing. All samples in the study had shown close identity matches with species (Pipistrellus coromandra) from India and (Pipistrellus tenuis) from Vietnam with percentage identity score of 96.11 and 95.58 respectively except one sequence which only revealed 86.78% identity match on Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) and could only be assigned to genus level Pipistrellus sp. The results indicated negligible intra-population genetic distance among collected samples whereas the comparison with species from other countries had shown high intraspecific (P. coromandra) and interspecific (P. tenuis) mean genetic distances. The current study hence successfully proved the efficiency of COI gene as a molecular marker for species identification and in analyzing the patterns of genetic variation with species from other countries.

Professional Identity of Nursing Students in the Post-COVID 19 Epidemic in Wuhan: a Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To explore the professional identity of nursing students in the post-COVID 19 epidemic. Methods: A total of 281 nursing students were selected for the study, 83.62% of nursing students said they liked the nursing profession more, 95.01% of nursing students were willing to fight on the front line of the anti-epidemic. Among them, male nursing students, those who were involved in student management, organized campus activities scored high in professional identity score, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The nursing students' scores for career self-concept, benefits of staying and risks of leaving, and autonomous career identity of career choice were 21.70±4.27, 13.11±3.20, 10.97±2.07, 6.49±1.28, and 8.10±1.68 respectively. The image of nursing in the COVID-19 epidemic helps to cultivate nursing students' responsibility, improve their sense of professional identity.

Diversity and Phylogenetic Analysis of Phytophthora Species Infecting Coorg Mandarin

Coorg mandarin is a particular type of mandarin grown in Western Ghats' high humid tropical region. The crop is cultivated in multiple cropping systems of pepper and coffee plantations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and the Kerala states of India. The crop is attacked by a number of diseases. Among them, Phytophthora is a century-old disease causing a major threat to Coorg mandarin cultivation and production in Southern states of India. A systematic random survey was conducted to collect Phytophthora infected samples from the seeds and grafted Coorg mandarin plants in 184 orchards located in different parts of Karnataka. A total of 111 Phytophthora isolates were isolated and characterized from infected plant roots (59) and soil (52) infected Coorg Mandarin samples collected in different orchards. Based on the pathogenicity parameter, only 45 out of 111 Phytophthora isolates were selected, and the ITS region was amplified by PCR using ITS primers and sequenced. Based on the ITS sequence pairwise identity score, 45 Phytophthora isolates were assembled into three groups. The type I group of P. palmivora isolates showed the highest nucleotide identity of 88.5 to 90.8% with P.palmivora (JX198562). In contrast, the type II group of P. palmivora isolates showed nucleotide identity of 93.6 to 99 % with P.palmivora (KF010299) infecting different citrus species, and the type III group of P.nicotianae isolates showed maximum nucleotide identity of more than 93% with P.nicotianae (KJ549640) infecting different citrus species.

Daily moral identity: Linkages with integrity and compassion.

The present study investigated how much variability in moral identity scores is attributable to individual differences that are stable over time and how much variability reflects daily fluctuations. Participants (N=138, M age=25.11years, SD=10.77; 82% female) were asked to report the self-importance of three moral attributes (being honest, fair, and caring) once a day for 50 consecutive days. Ratings were decomposed into between- and within-person variability and analyzed in relation to individuals' self-reported feelings of integrity and compassion using hierarchical linear modelling. Daily measures of moral identity exhibited more between- than within-person variability (64% vs. 36%). Furthermore, feelings of integrity and compassion were more strongly positively correlated with moral identity on the inter-individual level than the intra-individual level. Overall, findings suggest that moral identity has both trait- and state-like characteristics and might be best conceptualized as a characteristic adaptation evidencing both stability and change.

College-attending emerging adults’ free time perception profiles: Relationships with well-being and identity development

Leisure is an important developmental context during emerging adulthood because of its inherent freedom, opportunity for challenge, and potential for identity exploration. The nature of leisure is often linked with different developmental pathways surrounding well-being and identity. This quantitative study collected free time perceptions, well-being, and identity measures from college-attending emerging adults (n = 565). Using a clustering approach, participants were grouped based on four free time perceptions measures (awareness, boredom, challenge, distress) and then compared for differences in self-esteem, depression, and identity commitment and exploration. Groupings were named based on unique free time profiles, including mastering, restoring, stagnating, and struggling during free time. Each group had significantly different perceptions of free time awareness and boredom, and groups differed in well-being and identity scores, although not exclusively. Results show the importance of addressing free time perceptions, particularly cognitive (awareness) and affective (boredom) attitudes and inform leisure-based programming and marketing on college campuses.

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND MEDICAL STUDENTS OF FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY MEDICAL COLLEGE

Objective: To measure the strength of professional identity across five years of MBBS course at Foundation Uni­versity Medical College. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Foundation University Medical College (FUMC) from January 2015 to September 2019. The study included medical students from first to final year MBBS through survey sampling. The questionnaire consisted of two components; PIS score measured the strength of Professional identity and PSIQ score measured the strength of PI as it is reflected in different professional activities. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. Results: Study included 613 medical students whose mean age was 20.54±1.70 years and 26.4% were males. Professional identity starts forming right from the beginning of MBBS program and there was an overall increase in professional identity scores from first to final year; with mean PIS of 3.68 (i.e. close to “neutral”) in first year and 4.03 (i.e. into “agree” range) in final year. The increase in PIS score was statistically significant at two transitions; from 1st to 2nd and then from 3rd to 4th year. Clinical years (fourth and final year) were mainly responsible for most of the increase in PI and PSIQ scores. Conclusion: The professional identity scores increase over the five years of MBBS program. Clinical years signifi­cantly increase PI scores hence clinical clerkships should be introduced early through vertical integration.

Associated factors of professional identity among nursing undergraduates during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesProfessional identity plays an important role in the long-term development of nurses, and it will change when public health emergency occurs. The objective of this study is to investigate the factors associated with the professional identity of nursing undergraduates in the epidemic of COVID-19. MethodsA cross-sectional survey design with convenience sampling was used. A total of 3,875 nursing undergraduates were recruited from seven universities across China from March to April 2020. A general information questionnaire was used to collect students’ information, and the Professional Identity Questionnaire for Nurse Students was used to survey their professional identity during the early and later stages of the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic. ResultsThe score of professional identity in the later stage (59.49 ± 12.41) was higher than that in the early stage (56.96 ± 12.61). The stepwise regression indicated that several factors were associated with professional identity, including gender, residential area, major, impact of the epidemic on intention to work after graduation, reasons for choosing nursing major and students’ scores of professional identity in early stage. ConclusionsNursing educators can utilize the positive impact of responding to public health emergencies to increase the professional identity of students. Meanwhile, educators should give those students with lower professional identity more targeted education to cultivate their professional identity after the occurrence of public health emergencies.