LAUSR

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to compare the self-reported level of professionalism among nurses in Poland and Belarus and to indicate the areas in which differences in professional behaviors of nurses in both countries exist. BACKGROUND Nurses constitute the largest group of health care providers and the term professionalism is closely related to nursing profession. DESIGN This investigation is a comparative survey and descriptive analysis of professional behaviors among nurses in Poland (n=205) and Belarus (n=236). The study was reported according to the STROBE checklist. METHODS The Professionalism in Nursing Behaviors' Inventory Image Survey adapted from Adams and Miller (2001) was used to collect the data. The questionnaire contains 46 questions addressing the following behavioral categories: educational preparation, publications, research, professional organization, community service, competence, code for nurses, theory and autonomy. RESULTS The mean total score of professionalism was significantly different between the two countries (p<0.0001). Significant differences, with higher scores in the group of respondents from Belarus, were also revealed in the following subscales of professionalism: "Professional organization", "Community service", "Competence" and "Publication". Nurses from Poland had higher levels of "Educational preparation" and "Use of theory". No statistically significant differences were indicated in the "Autonomy" and "Research" subscales. CONCLUSION Differences in the professionalism level of nurse practitioners in Poland and Belarus are related to nurses' professional position and the context in which they practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results of the present study can help the healthcare management and nursing leaders to support the professional development of nurses and strive for a higher level of professionalism.