Domain 9

Descriptor: Formation and cultivation of a sustainable professional identity, including accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition, and comportment that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.

Professionalism encompasses the development of a nursing identity that embraces the following values:
- Integrity
- Altruism
- Inclusivity
- Compassion
- Courage
- Humility
- Advocacy
- Caring
- Autonomy
- Humanity
- Social justice
Professional identity formation necessitates the development of emotional intelligence to promote social good, engage in social justice, and demonstrate ethical comportment, moral courage, and assertiveness in decision making and actions.
Nursing professionalism is a continuous process of socialization that requires the nurse to give back to the profession through the mentorship and development of others.
Professional identity, influenced by one’s personal identity and unique background, is formed throughout one’s education and career.
Nursing identity flourishes through engagement and reflection in multiple experiences defined by differing perspectives and voices.
As a result, nurses embrace the history, characteristics, and values of the discipline and think, act, and feel like a nurse.
Professional identity formation is not a linear process but rather one that responds to challenges and matures through professional experiences, developing confidence as a nurse.

9.1a Apply principles of professional nursing ethics and human rights in patient care and professional situations.
9.1b Reflect on one’s actions and their consequences.
9.1c Demonstrate ethical behaviors in practice.
9.1d Change behavior based on self and situational awareness.
9.1e Report unethical behaviors when observed.
9.1f Safeguard privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy in all interactions.
9.1g Advocate for the individual’s right to self-determination.
9.1h Analyze current policies and practices in the context of an ethical framework.
9.1i Model ethical behaviors in practice and leadership roles.
9.1j Suggest solutions when unethical behaviors are observed.
9.1k Assume accountability for working to resolve ethical dilemmas.

9.2a Employ the use of intentional presence to facilitate shared meaning of the experience between nurse and recipient of care.
9.2b Facilitate health and healing through compassionate caring.
9.2c Demonstrate empathy to the individual’s life experience.
9.2d Advocate for practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
9.2e Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and humility in practice.
9.2f Apply principles of therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries.
9.2g Communicate in a professional manner.
9.2h Foster opportunities for intentional presence in practice.
9.2i Identify innovative and evidence-based practices that promote person-centered care.
9.2j Advocate for practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
9.2k Model professional expectations for therapeutic relationships.
9.2l Facilitate communication that promotes a participatory approach.

9.3a Engage in advocacy that promotes the best interest of the individual, community, and profession.
9.3b Demonstrate the moral courage to report concerns related to actual or potential hazards and/or errors.
9.3c Demonstrate professional and personal honesty and integrity.
9.3d Take responsibility for one’s roles, decisions, obligations, actions, and care outcomes.
9.3e Engage in professional activities and/or organizations.
9.3f Demonstrate adherence to a culture of civility.
9.3g Advocate for social justice and health equity, including addressing the health of vulnerable populations.
9.3h Engage in peer evaluation.
9.3i Advocate for nursing’s professional responsibility for ensuring optimal care outcomes.
9.3j Demonstrate leadership skills when participating in professional activities and/or organizations.
9.3k Address actual or potential hazards and/or errors.
9.3l Foster a practice environment that promotes accountability for care outcomes.
9.3m Advocate for policies/practices that promote social justice and health equity.
9.3n Foster strategies that promote a culture of civility across a variety of settings.
9.3o Lead in the development of opportunities for professional and interprofessional activities.

9.4a Advocate for policies that promote health and prevent harm.
9.4b Adhere to the registered nurse scope and standards of practice.
9.4c Adhere to regulatory requirements and workplace policies consistent with one’s educational preparation.
9.4d Advocate for policies that enable nurses to practice to the full extent of their education.
9.4e Assess the interaction between regulatory agency requirements and quality, fiscal, and value-based indicators.
9.4f Evaluate the effect of legal and regulatory policies on nursing practice and healthcare outcomes.
9.4g Analyze efforts to change legal and regulatory policies that improve nursing practice and health outcomes.
9.4h Participate in the implementation of policies and regulations to improve the professional practice environment and healthcare outcomes.

9.5a Describe nursing’s professional identity and contributions to the healthcare team.
9.5b Demonstrate the core values of professional nursing identity.
9.5c Demonstrate sensitivity to the values of others.
9.5d Demonstrate ethical comportment and moral courage in decision making and actions.
9.5e Demonstrate emotional intelligence.
9.5f Articulate nursing’s unique professional identity to other interprofessional team members and the public.
9.5g Evaluate practice environment to ensure that nursing core values are demonstrated.
9.5h Identify opportunities to lead with moral courage to influence team decision-making.
9.5i Engage in professional organizations that reflect nursing’s values and identity.

9.6a Demonstrate respect for diverse individuals and diverse communities and populations.
9.6b Demonstrate awareness of personal and professional values and conscious and unconscious biases.
9.6c Integrate core principles of social justice and human rights into practice.
9.6d Model respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all team members.
9.6e Critique one’s personal and professional practices in the context of nursing’s core values.
9.6f Analyze the impact of structural and cultural influences on nursing’s professional identity.
9.6g Ensure that care provided by self and others is reflective of nursing’s core values.
9.6h Structure the practice environment to facilitate care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
9.6i Ensure self and others are accountable in upholding moral, legal, and humanistic principles related to health.