Between Being and Becoming: Nursing Identity

What does it really mean to become a nurse — not just in skills, but in identity?

On the Lippincott Spark: Illuminating Nursing Education podcast, Dr. Kelly J. Dries sits down with Dr. Marlo Robinson, Dean and Vice President of Purdue Global School of Nursing, to explore the role of professional identity in shaping today’s nurses.

Together, they discuss why identity matters, how it evolves over time, and what educators and leaders can do to intentionally support that growth, helping nurses become confident, purpose-driven professionals.

In this episode, you’ll gain insight into:

• Why professional identity is foundational to nursing practice.
• How it influences confidence, decision-making, and leadership.
• Ways mentorship and learning environments can shape who nurses become.

From early training through lifelong practice, identity is what connects what nurses do to who they are. Listen now to discover how to better support nurses in growing into their full professional identity.