Characteristics of a nursing profession

Characteristics of a nursing profession

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF PROFESSION PREPARED BY: USHA RANI KANDULA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF ADULT HEALTH NURSING, ARSI UNIVERSITY,ASELLA,ETHIOPIA, SOUTH EAST AFRICA.

2. INTRODUCTION Nursing has been called a profession for many years, an assessment of characteristics of a profession indicates that it should more accurately be considered as ―emerging profession‖.

3. Characteristics of a profession have been defined as: Authority to control its own work. Exclusive body of specialized knowledge. Extensive period of formal training. Specialized competence. Control over work performance. Service to society.

4. Self-regulation. Credentialing system to certify competence. Legal reinforcement of professional standards. Ethical practice. Creation of a collegial subculture. Intrinsic rewards. Public acceptance.

5. Apart from this the characteristics of a profession can be categorized as following:

6. Intellectual: This character is reflecting commitment to serve society. This category has three components:

7. a) Body of knowledge: professional practice is based on body of knowledge derived from experience (leading to expertise) and research (leading to theoretical foundation for knowledge).

8. This knowledge base contributes to judgment and rationale for modifying actions according to specific situation.

9. However, the education has often emphasized proven methods for responding to particular kinds of situations.

10. e.g. clients may be discharged without self care teaching because the doctor did not write an order.

11. b) Specialized education: Nursing transmits knowledge through specialized education. However, there are five levels of basic education for registered nurses, all of which prepare for one licensure examination.

12. Three of five levels (diploma, associate degree and baccalaureate degree) accept high school graduation where as other two (master‘s degree and doctoral degree) accept college with liberal arts majors.

13. c) Critical and Creative Thinking: A logical and critical thinking process is one essential component of professional practice. The nursing process is a problem solving approach. It includes:

14. Collect and organize information derived from multiple sources. Decide what is needed, based on that information. Select and implement one approach from among many possible approaches. Evaluate the results of the process.

15. Personal This category emphasizes on autonomy. Autonomy means the practitioners have control over their own functions in a work setting.

16. Autonomy involves independence, a willingness to take risks and responsibility and accountability for one‘s own actions as well as self-determination and self-regulation.

17. The autonomous practitioners are also obligated to collaborate with others for the benefit of the patient.

18. Interpersonal: Nursing is a significant therapeutic interpersonal process. It functions cooperatively with other human processes that make health possible for individuals in the communities.

19. The nurse collaborates with the patient, significant others and health care providers in the formulation of overall goals and plan of care and in the decisions related to care and delivery of services.

20. Thanking you