A qualitative study of the developmental process of professional identity of nurses who stutter—Narratives of a nurse at career maturity: An analysis using the trajectory equifinality approach

OBJECTIVES: The lived experiences and challenges faced by nurses who stutter (NWS) have largely remained unvoiced and overlooked. This study aimed to describe the developmental process of professional identity among these nurses while also identifying pivotal experiences and significant others that could be relevant to other NWS. METHODS: The Trajectory Equifinality Approach, a qualitative research method, was employed. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with a nurse possessing 14 years of clinical experience. A Trajectory Equifinality Modeling diagram was developed to visually represent the participant's sequence of lived experiences, emotional responses, and key interactions with significant others. RESULTS: The following three initiatives were identified as crucial for NWS to develop their professional identity: (1) Aspiring to become a nurse and addressing their stuttering directly, (2) Identifying personal strengths and pursuing career advancement with ambition, and (3) Releasing oneself from the captivity of stuttering and building a fulfilling career. Notably, during their early career stages, nursing faculty, senior nurses and nurse managers were identified as significant others supporting NWS, and their roles were elucidated. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that this process leads to the integration of their experiences as both nurses and individuals who stutter, ultimately resulting in a more fulfilling and enriched nursing practice.