Nursing As A Profession

Florence Nightingale

The originator and founder of modern nursing & nursing education

Florence Nightingale

"Nursing is an art; and if it is to be made an art, it requires as exclusive a devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or cold marble, compared with having to do with the living body - the temple of God's spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts; I had almost said the finest of the Fine Arts."

Nursing

No single definition even by nurses themselves

Nurse Early Definition

A person who nourishes, looks after and protects a person who is prepared to care for the sick, injured and aged

What is nursing? (Nightingale, 1860)

Put the patient in the best possible condition for nature to act upon him

The unique function of the nurse (Henderson)

To assist the individual, sick or well, contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge) and to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as soon as possible.

Art

Composed of skills that require expertise and proficiency for their competent education

Art

It is the creative use of knowledge in service to others

Nursing

Oldest of art & youngest of science

'Art'

Originally, nursing considered as an ___ 'born nurses' (natural/untaught)

Nursing

Art improved by practice

Nursing as an 'Art'

Need little education as nurses only carry out doctor's orders

Science

Requires systematized knowledge derived from observation, critical thinking, study and research

Science

It is a body of knowledge based on scientific research and analysis

Nursing as a 'Science'...

Gradually, as the body of scientific knowledge grew, nurses aware of the basic principles for practice

Nursing as a 'Science', principles for practice, never tested

These principles summarized as 'procedures' but ___

Nursing

borrowed its 'science' from other disciplines

What was unique to nursing?

Leads to develop nursing theories by nursing scholars

Profession

Is defined as an occupation or vocation, especially one that involves some branch of advanced learning or science

Essence of professionalism

The ___ is both having unique or special knowledge and the self-imposed obligation/duty to serve the community

General Criteria for Profession

A body of knowledge on which skills & services are based General Criteria for Profession

A Body of Knowledge

Knowledge from other disciplines A Body of Knowledge

Unique Service to Other Humans

Virginia Henderson's Definition of Nursing confirmed this status Unique Service to Other Humans

University-Based Education

Present trend of promoting University-based education internationally as well as locally University-Based Education, BScN

Career

Is a major life work, a long-term commitment, involves long term planning and requires long training or education

Independent Function, Dependent

___: Carried out the orders of the doctors

Independent Function, Independent

___: Nurse initiates actions based on own knowledge & skills

Independent Function, Collaborative

___: Activities performed either jointly or as a result of joint decision

Additional Criteria

An active and solid professional organization

Additional Criteria

Recognized social worth and contribution

Professions

College or University Prolonged education

Professions

Mental creativity

Professions

Decisions based on science or theoretical constructs

Professions

Values, beliefs & ethics integral part of preparation

Professions

Strong commitment

Professions

Autonomous

Professions

Unlikely to change professions

Professions

Commitment > $ reward

Professions

Individual accountability

Occupations

On the job training

Occupations

Length varies

Occupations

Largely manual work

Occupations

Guided decision making

Occupations

Values, beliefs & ethics not part of preparation

Occupations

Commitment may vary

Occupations

Supervised

Occupations

Often change jobs

Occupations

Motivated by $ reward

Occupations

Employer is primarily accountable

Forces Nursing Affecting Healthcare & Practice

Increased technology

Forces Nursing Affecting Healthcare & Practice

Increasing number of aged people

Forces Nursing Affecting Healthcare & Practice

Increased focus on PHC

Forces Nursing Affecting Healthcare & Practice

Improvement & expansion of community health nursing

Forces Nursing Affecting Healthcare & Practice

Increased education for nurses

Nurses

The future of nursing & educational preparation of nurses must be directed by ___

Nurses

To do this, ___ must increase their political power by organizing & supporting a professional organization

As Nurses

If the millions of nurses in a thousand different places, articulate the same idea & convictions/beliefs... & come together as one force, then they could act as a powerhouse for change