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Understanding of Professionalism Elements among Nursing Students at the Ministry of Health Training Institute, Malaysia

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This study examines nursing students understanding of professionalism at the Ministry of Health Malaysia Training Institute (ILKKM). Professionalism is a cornerstone in developing competent nurses, encompassing values, attitudes, and professional behaviours such as patient respect, adherence to care standards, accountability, advocacy, and teamwork. A quantitative survey was conducted among 277 final-year nursing students using a combined instrument adapted from Hall’s Professionalism Scale, the Nurses Professional Values Scale-3, and a professional communication assessment tool. Descriptive analysis revealed a high overall understanding score (mean = 4.51, SD = 0.42), with teamwork scoring the highest (mean = 4.68). These findings suggest that ILKKM’s curriculum and training effectively foster strong professionalism awareness. The study recommends continuous enhancement through integrating professionalism modules into all clinical courses, applying case-based simulations, implementing mentor–mentee programs, and providing mental health support to address burnout challenges.
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