Professionsidentitet på tværs

Abstract

In the paper differences and similarities comparing professional identity in educations for Nurse, Teacher and Bachelor of Nutrition and Health are discussed. Professional identity formation is conceptualized as a fluid and socially negotiated process. There are international studies about professional identity for nurses and teachers, but a lack of comparative studies. The empirical material are group interviews with students and educators analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis. Both groups are asked about the collective professional identity and experiences with external understandings (based on pictures), and the students also about their (pre)professional identity. The analyses show that all three are professions working with empathy in human relations. There are however different stereotypes related to the external understanding of the professions. The student teachers have experienced to a high degree to have to defense their educational choice and position themselves in opposition to the traditional picture of transmissive teaching. The educators and student nurses challenge the picture of a “nice girl”. They refer to the present political focus and refer to the identity as challenged. Bachelor of Nutrition and Health is a new and somewhat diffuse profession. Acting on evidence but also with respect for the individual is formulated as a core.