Khezerloo S¹ * ( MSc ) , Salehmoghaddam A ² ( MSc ), Mazloom S R ² ( Ph D)

  ¹ Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

  ² Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

  Received: 1 May 2012, Accepted: 17 Dec 2012

  Abstract

  Introduction: Nursing care is an important part of health services. Optimal nursing care can be divided into various roles. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of professional nurses in hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

  Methods: In this descriptive study, 154 nurses who were working in educational hospitals affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences were selected using cluster and randomized methods. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire including educational role (14 items), supportive role (17 items), protective role (11 items), coordinating role (6 items) and caring role (17 items). The questionnaire was filled through observation and self-expressing methods. The nurses were observed in a complete working shift in morning by two observers. The self-expressing questionnaire was filled by the nurses.

  Results: Most of the participants ( 70.8%) were female. The mean age of the nurses was 32.6 years. The mean years of work experience was 8.5 years. The mean scores for the nurses professional roles were as follows: educational role: 42%, supportive role: 57%, protective role: 63.2%, coordinating role: 58%, and caring role: 72.4%. The percent of nurses who were "good" in their professional role were as follows: in the educational role: 9.7%, in the supportive role: 12.3%, in the protective role: 33.8%, in the coordinating role: 27.4%, and in the caring role: 43.5%. There were significant direct correlations between age and work experience with the professional role scores.

  Conclusion: The level of educational role conducted by the nurses was not appropriate. It seems that nursing managers should develop professional nursing roles and improve the quality of nursing care with planning appropriate programs and creating required educational and motivational platforms.

  Key words: n urse, professional roles, patient education