What does it actually mean to be professional? How can students develop their own sense of self, and how might this interact with their professional identify and performance? This chapter explains self-awareness and the importance of understanding your own values, beliefs and motivations in order to better understand the diverse experiences of others, and to nurture the therapeutic and professional relationships that are essential for quality nursing practice.

The role of emotional and social intelligence in understanding ourselves and others is also explored, as this concept is closely linked to self-awareness. Critical reflection and mindfulness are suggested as two strategies for fostering the development of greater self-awareness and better self-care, which may assist in caring for others with empathy, compassion and ‘intelligent kindness’. In essence, enhancing your self-awareness,self-care, understanding and compassion for others will help you interact and communicate more effectively, reconcile any differences or conflicts that may arise, and better cope with the emotional demands inherent in healthcare practice (Foster et al. 2015, Kelly, Runge & Spencer 2015).

The traditional stereotypical image of a nurse is closely linked to that of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing who established a training system to teach nurses how to be completely dedicated to the tasks of care, regardless of personal needs; to be dependent upon and deferential to authorities such as medical doctors and matron supervisors; and how to comport with modesty and femininity. Of course, contemporary nursing is no longer a profession exclusively female, nor does nursing work predominantly involve dependent actions. However, these outdated ideas remain strong in the minds of the public and are often repeated in popular culture.

The portrayal of nurses in the media has a powerful effect on perception by the public, clients and within themselves (Stanley et al. 2019). Sadly, their public image may not correspond with personal reality (Rauen et al. 2016), and this is the central argument in this chapter.

Luckily for nursing, we have overwhelmingly been imaged as good – helpful, caring, ethical and practical. This chapter explored the evolution of the nursing profession and consider the effect of image on contemporary nursing. It invites you to reflect on whether these public perceptions have influenced you, your decision to be a nurse and your future actions.

Whatever your interests and motivations, nursing is certain to be a career that rewards, challenges and inspires you. It requires the seamless blending of theoretical and technical knowledge with a way of being and behaving (moral comportment), leading to clinical wisdom or deep understanding that supports the highest possible quality of care for individuals, families and communities. We present a range of nursing knowledge and perspectives that are important for professional nursing practice in contemporary Australian healt hcare, but encourage you to engage in your own reflections about what it means to be and act as a nurse, with the aim of discovering and nurturing your personal passion for nursing (Benner et al. 2010, Gottlieb & Gottlieb 2012, p. 4). This opening chapter sets the scene for your undergraduate nursing journey. We welcome you to the wonderful, dynamic and diverse profession of nursing and encourage some initial thinking about what nursing is, why you have chosen this career and the sort of nurse you hope to be. We also outline the purpose, structure and features of this book, and introduce you to the key concepts and ideas underpinning your learning journey.