NURSING as a CARING

PROFESSION
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 what is a
PROFESSION?
 PROFESSION
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A t y p e o f j o b t h at re q u i re s s p e c i a l
e d u cat i o n , t ra i n i n g o r s k i l l
 PROFESSION
A learned vocation or occupation that has a
status of superiority or precedence within a
division of work

— pg. 4 Theoretical Basis for Nursing 2nd edition; McEwen, M., Wills, E.M. (2007)
NOT AN OCCUPATION?

JOB or CAREER
 require widely varying levels of
training or education, varying levels
of skills, and widely variable defined
knowledge bases
 PROFESSION
An occupation that requires extensive
education or a calling that requires
special knowledge, skill, and preparation
Are ALL
professions
considered
occupations?
 Criteria of a
PROFESSION
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 A profession must satisfy an indispensable
social need and must be based upon well
established and socially accepted scientific
principles.

 It must demand adequate pre-professional

and cultural training.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 It must demand the possession of a body of
specialized and systematized training.

 It must give evidence of needed skills which

the public does not possess; that is, skills
which are partly inherent and partly
acquired.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 It must have developed a scientific
technique which is the result of tested
experience.

 It must require the exercise of discretion

and judgment as to time and manner of the
performance of duty.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 It must have a group of consciousness
designed to extend scientific knowledge in
technical language.

 It must have a sufficient self – impelling

power to retain its members throughout life.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 It must have a group of consciousness
designed to extend scientific knowledge in
technical language.

 It must have a sufficient self – impelling

power to retain its members throughout life.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

WILLIAM SHEPARD
 It must recognize its obligations to society by
insisting that its members live up to an
established code of ethics.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

ROY BIXLER
 Utilizes in its practice a well – defined and
well – organized body of specialized
knowledge that is on the intellectual level of
higher learning.

 Constantly enlarges the body of knowledge it

uses and improves its techniques of
education and service through use of the
scientific method.
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

ROY BIXLER
 Entrusts the education of its practitioners to
institutions of higher education.

 Applies its body of knowledge in practical

services vital to human and social welfare.

 Functions autonomously in the formulation

of professional policy and thereby in the
control of professional activity
 according to
Criteria of a Profession

ROY BIXLER
 Attracts individuals of intellectual and
personal qualities of exalting service above
personal gain who recognize their chosen
occupation as a life work

 Strives to compensate its practitioners by

providing freedom to act on opportunity for
continuous professional growth, and
economic security
Characteristics of a
PROFESSION
Characteristics of a Profession

Specialized Education
MASTERY of the craft
towards becoming competent professionals
Characteristics of a Profession

Body of Knowledge
Acquisition of knowledge and translating
them to actions giving direction to the
growth and development of nursing practice
Characteristics of a Profession

Service Orientation
The HALLMARK of a profession
A tradition of service

Altruism: selfless concern to others

Caring: the branding of nurses
Characteristics of a Profession

Ongoing Research
Continuing quest on how to improve the
value of a profession
Evidence – based nursing practice
Characteristics of a Profession

Code of Ethics
Placing a high value on the worth and dignity
of others, it has its integrity and it lives with
its principles. It is about doing what is right
and just regardless of any cost.
Characteristics of a Profession

Autonomy
Stand bearer and self – regulating;
authority and implementer
Independence and responsibility;

Accountability is the essence of a profession

Characteristics of a Profession

Professional Organization
Governance and operations
Discipline and cooperation
Power and authority over training
and education
 Attributes of a
PROFESSIONAL
LIVING AS A PRO?
Professionalism
The professional character, spirit and
methods; a way of life that implies
responsibility and commitment
how to be a PRO?

Professionalization
process of becoming a
professional; acquiring the
characteristics of a professional
 CHARACTERISTICS
OF A PROFESSIONAL

 Concerned quality
 Possesses competence to practice the
profession
 Self directed, responsible and accountable
for higher action
 Able to make independent
 Dedicated to the improvement of human life
 Committed to the spirit of inquiry
 Nursing as a
PROFESSION
Professional NURSING
is an art and a science, dominated by an
ideal of service in which certain principles
are applied in skillful care of the well and
the ill and through relationship with the
clients, significant others and other
member of healthcare team.
 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
requires a systemic approach
that is focused on the
patient, and the theoretical
frameworks provide just such
perspectives of the patient
The PROFESSIONAL NURSE
 One who has acquired the art and science of nursing
through her basic nursing education program.

 One who interprets her role in nursing in terms of

the social ends for which it exists- the health and
welfare of society and who continues to add his/her
KSA through continuing education and scientific
inquiry.

 Licensed in his/ her country or state to practice

professional nursing.
The PROFESSIONAL NURSE
 One who has acquired the art and science of nursing
through her basic nursing education program.

 One who interprets her role in nursing in terms of

the social ends for which it exists- the health and
welfare of society and who continues to add his/her
KSA through continuing education and scientific
inquiry.

 Licensed in his/ her country or state to practice

professional nursing.
 No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of
what a nurse should be than this – devoted and obedient. This
definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for
a horse. It would not do for a policeman.

─ Florence Nightingale, 1859

 Jules Antonette S. Alamin, MSN
COURSE INTRUCTOR, NCM 100

REFERENCES:
 Alligood, Martha Raile. (2018). Nursing Theorists and their work (9th ed).
Winsland House I, Singapore. Elsevier Pte. Ltd.
 McEwen, Melanie & Wills, Evelyn M. (2018). Theoretical Basis for Nursing
(5th ed). Wolters Kluwer.
 Berman, Audrey et. al. (2016). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing
Concepts, Process and Practice (10th ed). England. Pearson Education
Limited.