Nursing as a Profession

Profession has been defined as that requires extensive education or a calling that requires special knowledge, skill and preparation. Profession is an occupation with moral principles that are devoted to the human and social welfare.

Professional nursing is a service devoted to the promotion of human and social welfare. Professionalism refers to professional character, spirit or methods. It is a set of attributes, a way of life that implies responsibility and commitment.

Professionalization is the process of becoming professional that is of acquiring characteristics considered to be professional. Professional nurse is a health worker, a graduate from a recognized school who is identified by law as a registered nurse whether graduated from a baccalaureate (BSc) or a diploma program.

Criteria of Profession:

Specialized education is an important aspect of professional status. In modern times, the trend in education for the professions that shifted towards programs in colleges and universities.

Body of knowledge:

As a profession, nursing is establishing a well-defined body of knowledge and expertise. A number of nursing conceptual frameworks contribute to the knowledge base of nursing and give direction to nursing practice, education and ongoing research.

Service orientation:

Nursing as a tradition of service to others. This service, however, must be guided by certain rules, policies or codes of ethics. Today, nursing is also an important component of the health care delivery system.

Ongoing research:

Since the 1970’s nursing research has focused on practice related issues. Increasing research in nursing is contributing to nursing practice. Nursing research To be successful, nurses must be equipped with certain as a dimension of the nurse’s role directed to nursing tools and abilities. These skills are developed over time as education and practice.

Code of ethics:

Ethical code change as the needs and values of society change. Nursing has developed its own codes of ethics and in most instances has set up means to monitor the professional behaviors of its members.

Autonomy:

A profession is autonomous, if it regulates itself and sets standards for its members. Providing autonomy is one of the purposes of a professional association. To be autonomous, a professional group must be granted legal authority to define the scope of its practice, describe its particular functions and roles and determine its goals and responsibilities in delivery of its services.

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Middle Ages