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Socialization of accelerated baccalaureate nursing graduates from the perspective of the affective domain specifically, the feeling of being a nurse, has not been studied. The purpose of the phenomenological study was to investigate socialization from the perspective of the feeling of being a nurse of accelerated B.S.N. graduates. Semi-structured, face to face interviews were conducted with eight graduates of an accelerated B.S.N. program. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi´s procedural steps. The following findings emerged: (1) The feeling of being a nurse, an attribute of professional identity, coincided with the occurrence of specific incidents during induction socialization; (2) The feeling of being a nurse is a sense of becoming, involving personal commitment and internalization of values during the process of professional socialization; and (3) accelerated BSN graduates have a deep sense of commitment to nursing.

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Dr. Wolf received her BSN from Indiana University School of Nursing; MSN from Kent State University School of Nursing and PhD from Kent State University College. Her clinical experience has varied from critical care to urgent care. Currently she is employed at Cleveland State University as an assistant professor.

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