DOI: 10.1097/nne.0000000000002296 ISSN: 0363-3624

Moderating Effect of Professional Identity on the Relationship Between Transition Shock and Career Intention Among Nursing Students During Clinical Internship: A Longitudinal Ecological Momentary Assessment

Yudan Wu, Zhiyao Luo, Feifei Huang, Kewei Rao, Jinyun Fan, Cen Lin, Huiyuan Li, Anni Wang
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Background:

Nursing interns (fourth-year undergraduate nursing students in their clinical practicum) often report low career intention, closely linked to transition shock during role transition.

Purpose:

To examine how transition shock affects career intention and the moderating role of professional identity using ecological momentary assessment.

Methods:

The study tracked 1162 nested observations of 83 nursing interns over 14 days. Data were analyzed using a 2-level Hierarchical Linear Modeling.

Results:

Transition shock was relatively high (69.22 ± 25.17) and varied significantly ( P < .01), while career intention remained moderate and stable (2.42 ± 0.82). Sociocultural and development shock negatively predicted career intention (β = .02, P < .01). Professional identity showed a direct protective effect (β = −.01, P < .01) but no moderating role.

Conclusions:

Nursing interns show fluctuating shock but stable career intention. Sociocultural challenges lower intention, while professional identity buffers it. Strengthening professional identity mitigates shock, and better adaptation supports internship success.

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