ABSTRACT
Objective:
a qualitative study that followed the principles of the grounded theory in order to analyze the professional identity of nursing academics through the analysis of the most disturbing critical incidents.
Method:
semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses who worked as professors and researchers in a private university in Barcelona.
Results:
the resulting empirical material was organized into two categories: characterization of critical incidents and responsiveness to the incident.
Conclusion:
the professional identity of nurses regarding the academic area is still under construction and inexperience is the major obstacle in the management of critical incidents in the teaching career.
Key words:
Professional Identity; Nursing Education; Critical Incident