Professional socialization and digital professionalism among undergraduate nursing students: A correlational study

Background Digital professionalism—defined as the ethical and responsible navigation of digital technologies—is an emerging notion in nursing practice. Professional socialization serves as the foundational process through which students internalize the values, knowledge, and ethical standards required for nurturing a professional identity. Exploring the interplay between these constructs is vital for developing targeted educational strategies that prepare nursing students for responsible practice in both clinical and digital environments. Objective To examine the connection between digital professionalism and professional socialization among undergraduate nursing students in South Khorasan Province, Iran. Methods A descriptive-correlational design was employed with a convenience sample of 313 undergraduate nursing students. Data were collected electronically from July 2, 2024, to September 23, 2024, using the Digital Professionalism Questionnaire and the Professional Socialization Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26), incorporating descriptive statistics alongside parametric (one-way ANOVA, independent t -test) and non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U) tests, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results The mean score for digital professionalism was 129.17 ± 16.76, while the mean score for professional socialization was 225.11 ± 24.53. A Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant, positive relationship between these two variables (rs = 0.49, P < 0.001). Moreover, significant positive correlations were observed across all dimensions of digital professionalism and professional socialization, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.18 to 0.45 (P < 0.001). Conclusion Findings indicate that higher levels of professional socialization are positively associated with ethical engagement in digital spaces. This evidence supports the integration of educational interventions that strengthen professional socialization, thereby fostering competent and responsible nursing students capable of navigating the complexities of the digital age.