NURSING AS A PROFESSION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the learning the student will be able to:

a. Discuss the development of professional nursing role

b. Describe the role and career opportunities for nurses
c. Explain the different fields in nursing
d. Identify the various expanded role of a professional nurse.
TOPIC OUTLINE:
Characteristic of Nursing Profession
Role and Functions of the Nurse
Different Fields of Nursing
Expanded Career Role for Nurses
Professional Value
Nurses Professional Organization
Profession

A calling that requires special knowledge, skill and

preparation.

An occupation that requires advanced knowledge and

skills and that it grows out of society’s needs for
special services.
Criteria of a Profession
To provide a needed service to the society.
To advance knowledge in its field.
To protect its members and make it possible to
practice effectively.
Characteristics of a Profession
A basic profession requires an extended education
of its members, as well as a basic liberal foundation.
A profession has a theoretical body of knowledge
leading to defined skills, abilities and norms.
A profession provides a specific service.
Members of a profession have autonomy in
decision-making and practice.
The profession has a code of ethics for practice.
Nursing
is a disciplined involved in the delivery of health
care to the society.
is a helping profession
is service-oriented to maintain health and well-
being of people.
is an art and a science.
NURSE originated from a Latin
word NUTRIX, to nourish.
Characteristics of Nursing
Nursing is caring.
Nursing involves close personal contact with the
recipient of care.
Nursing is concerned with services that take
humans into account as physiological,
psychological, and sociological organisms.
Characteristics of Nursing
Nursing is committed to promoting individual, family,
community, and national health goals in its best
manner possible.
Nursing is committed to personalized services for all
persons without regard to color, creed, social or
economic status.
Nursing is committed to involvement in ethical, legal,
and political issues in the delivery of health care.
Nursing as a Profession

to act professionally you administer quality patient-

centered care in a safe, prudent and knowledgeable
manner. You are responsible to yourself, to your
patients and your peers.
Nursing as a Profession

A professional nurse therefore, is a person who has

completed a basic nursing education program and is
licensed in his country to practice professional nursing.
COMPONENTS OF A GOOD PERSONALITY

Personal Appearance
Character
Attitude
Charm
 ROLE AND PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A NURSE
CAREGIVER

helps patients maintain and regain health, manage

disease, symptoms and attain a maximum level of
function and independence.
ADVOCATE

protect your patient’s human and legal right and

provide assistance in asserting these rights if the
need arises.
EDUCATOR

explain concepts and facts about health describe

the reason for routine care activities, demonstrate
procedures, reinforce learning and evaluate
client’s progress.
COMMUNICATOR

the nurse identifies client problems and communicate

these verbally\writing to other members of the health
team
MANAGER

the nurse manages the nursing care of individuals,

families, and communities
CHANGE AGENT

assisting to make modification in their own behavior,

continually deals change in the health care system.
LEADER

the nurse influence others to work together to

accomplish a specific goal.
CASE MANAGER

works with multidisciplinary health care team to

measures the effectiveness of the case management
plan.
CASE MANAGER

works with multidisciplinary health care team to

measures the effectiveness of the case management
plan.
EXTENDED AND EXPANDED
ROLE OF NURSING
 EXTENDED ROLE of the nurse is the
responsibility assumed beyond the
traditional role. The scope of nursing
service outside the hospital.
 EXPANDED ROLE of the nurse means
enlargement of nurse role within the
boundaries of nursing practice. Expanded
role of the nurse is the responsibility
assumed by a nurse within the field of
practice
NURSE PRACTITIONER

they are employed in health care agencies, community based setting.

* they usually deal with non-emergency acute or chronic
illness and provide primary ambulatory care.
* they have an advance education
*graduate of nurse practitioner program
CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST

a nurse who has an advanced degree or expertise and considered to

be expert in specialized area of practice. ex: Gerontology, Oncology

* the nurse provides direct client care, educate others, consult,

conduct research and manage care.
NURSE ANESTHETIST

complete advanced (class) education in an accredited

program in anesthesiology. The nurse anesthetist carries out
preoperative visits and assessments, administers general
anesthesia for surgery under the supervision of a physician
prepared in anesthesiology. The nurse anesthetists also
assess the post-operative status of the client.
NURSE MIDWIFE
a registered nurse has completed a program in midwifery
and certified by the college of nurse midwife. The nurse
gives prenatal and post- natal care and manages deliveries
in normal pregnancies. The midwife practice in association
with a health care agency and can obtain medical services if
complication occurs. The nurse midwife may also conduct
routine Pap Smear, family planning and routine breast
examinations.
NURSE RESEARCHER
nurse researcher investigate nursing problems to improve
nursing care and to refine and expand nursing knowledge.

They are employed in academic institution, teaching hospital

and research centers. Nurse researcher have advanced
education at the doctoral level.
NURSE ADMINISTRATOR
nurse administrator manage client care including delivery of
nursing service. The administrator may have middle
management position like head nurse, supervisor or more
senior management position such as director of nursing
service.

The function of N A includes budgeting, staffing and

planning program. The educational preparation for N A
position is at least baccalaureate degree in nursing then
master or doctoral degree.
NURSE EDUCATOR
employed in nursing program at educational
institution and in the hospital staff education. The
nurse educator has a baccalaureate degree or more
advance preparation, has expertise in particular
area of practice. One who is responsible for
classroom and clinical practice.
NURSE ENTREPRENEUR
has an advance degree and manage a health related
business. The nurse may be involved in education,
consultation and research.
SCHOOL NURSE

to promote health and safe of the school

children and prevention health problems
that would hinder their learning and
performance of their developmental task.
OCCUPATIONAL NURSE
specialty practice that provides for and delivers
health and safety programmed and services to
workers, worker populations and community groups.
*promotion and restoration of health
*prevention of illness and injury
*protection of work-related and
environmental hazard
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

practice promotes and preserves the health of the

populations by ingratiating the skills and knowledge
relevant to both nursing and public health.

Community health nursing is a specialized field of

nursing practice, its basic skills and knowledge are
anchored of nursing theorist and important concepts
as the science of public health.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

a registered nurse with special training

community health
PRIVATE DUTY NURSE

a registered nurse who provide nursing services to

patients at home or any other setting in accordance
with physician orders.
HOSPICE NURSE

who provides a family centered care and allows

clients to live and remain at homes with comfort,
independence and dignity while alleviating the
strains caused by terminal phase

ex: at the time death

HOME CARE NURSE
a nurse who provides periodic care to patients within
their home environment as ordered by the physician.
REHABILITATION NURSE
a nurse who specialized in assisting person while
disabilities and chronic illness to attain optimal
function, health and adapt to an altered life style.
NURSE EPIDEMIOLOGIST/INFECTION
PREVENTION AND CONTROL NURSE
monitors standards and procedures for the
control and prevention of infectious disease and
other conditions of the public health significance
including healthcare-associated infections.
MILITARY NURSE

one who provides care to military

personnel and their families.
FLIGHT NURSE
a nurse who provides care, comprehensive care
for all types of patient during aeromedical
evacuation and airlift flight
TELEMEDICINE NURSE
one who carries out telephone communication
with the patient.
DISASTER NURSING
adaptation of the professional nursing skills in
recognizing and meeting the nursing, physical,
emotional and social needs resulting from a disaster.
FORENSIC NURSE
one who is expected to be acquainted with the
basics of forensic medicine so as to handle and
preserve and evidentiary materials.
PRISON NURSE
who works in a prison delivers high quality treatment
and care within a custodial setting, while maintaining
a secure and safe environment
PEACE CORPS/HUMANITARIAN NURSE
a nurse who performs a variety of nursing activities in
remote areas of the world.
NURSE VALUES
ALTRUISM
concern for the welfare and well- being of others in
professional practice, welfare of patients, to other
nurses and other health care providers.
AUTONOMY
is the right to self-determination, nurse reflects the
patient’s right to make decision about the health care.
HUMAN DIGNITY
respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of
individuals and populations. In professional practice,
human dignity is reflected when the nurse values and
respects all patients and colleagues.
INTEGRITY
is acting in accordance with an appropriate code of
ethics and accepted standards of practice. Integrity is
reflected in professional practice when the nurse is
honest and care based on the ethical frameworks that
is accepted within the profession.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
is upholding moral legal and humanistic principles.
This value is reflected in professional practice when
the nurse works to ensure equal treatment under the
law and equal access to quality health care.
NONMALEFICENCE
The obligation "to do no harm"

This simply stated principle supports several moral

rules − do not kill, do not cause pain or suffering, do
not incapacitate, do not cause offense, and do not
deprive others of the goods of life.
BENEFICENCE
an act of charity, mercy, and kindness with a strong
connotation of doing good to others including moral
obligation.
NURSE PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
PURPOSE
to improve the standard of practice
to expand the nursing role
to foster the welfare of nurses within specialty
program
Professional Organization deals with issues of concern
to those practicing in the profession. In addition to the
educational organization, a variety of specialty
organization exist
Recognized Nursing Organizations

Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA)

Association of Nursing Service Administrators of
the Philippines (ANSAP)
Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of
Nursing (ADPCN)
Specialty Nursing Organizations

Philippine Hospital Infection Control Nurses

Association (PHICNA)
Military Nurses Association of the Philippines
(MNAP)
Gerontology Nurses Association of the Philippines
(GNAP)
Association of Private Duty Nurses Practitioners of
the Philippines (APDNPP)
Critical Nursing Organizations

Critical Care Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc.

(CCNAPI)
Renal Nurses Association of the Philippines (RENAP)
Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP)
Philippine Society of Emergency Care Nurses (PSECN)
Society of Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioners of the Philippines
(SCVNPP)