Question

A group of nursing students is sitting in the cafeteria between classes. Nearby, a group of education students discusses how the field of education is a true profession as opposed to nursing, which one of the students describes as a field in which "nurses think just because they say they're professionals, they automatically become professionals." One of the other students adds, "Nurses work shifts, they are paid on an hourly basis, they can't decide on the level of education for entry, and they have an organization for everything. How does that make nursing a profession?" The nursing students discuss how to address the issue in a constructive manner. During the conversation, one of the nursing students questions the professionalism of nursing, asking, "Is that true? Is that how the public views nursing? Do they see us as a group that can't make up our minds or that we are just fooling ourselves about being a profession?"

1. Create an argument for nursing as a profession based on Pavalko's eight dimensions for describing a profession.
2. Why would having multiple types and areas of nursing organizations benefit the nursing profession? Does it help or hinder the profession?
3. How could the nursing students explain how nursing organizations further nursing as a profession?
4. Describe the benefits of obtaining credentials in a chosen specialty. How does this affect professionalism in nursing?

Answer 1

Professional activity is based on intellectual action along with personal responsibility. The practice of profession is based on knowledge, not routine activities. There is practical application rather than just theoretizing .

The Pavaloko's 8 dimensions are,

1. A profession has relevance to social value :- In nursing, services are providing to others . It also encompasses the impact on community and society as a whole that the promotion of Health and well-being has .

2 .A profession has a training or educational period :- Registered nurse recieve training and education at different levels such as GNM , Bsc Nursing, MSc Nursing, phc etc.. this multilateral educational structure is one of the charecterics of nursing profession.

3. Elements of self-motivation address the way in which the profession serves the client or family and large social system :- As part of a nurses profession, she must be self motivated to ensure that she and her colleagues are doing the best possible job and she is a motivation to all the society also.

4. A profession has a code of ethics :- Nurses have several code of ethics that are used to guide nursing profession. The nursing code of ethics first published by American Nurses Association in 1950.

5. A professional has a commitment to lifelong work :- as nursing is a profession, rather than a job or a route into other works, nurses are expected to approach it in a commitment life long.

6. Members control their profession :- While nurses are governed by regulatory bodies, that act as checks and balances on their competence and conduct, fully trained nurses are awarded considerable professional autonomy in their practice. In addition to this, such governmental bodies of nursing are elected and run democratically. The different reforms over the years instigated by action from nurses is representative of their control over their profession.

7. A profession has a theoretical framework on which professional practice is based :- Nursing is based on theories borrowed from other disciplines and applied to nursing.

8. Members of profession have a common identity and distinctive subculture :- The nursing have a strong identity and subculture. Tis strong identity buildsup a culture of respect amongst nurses for each other and outsiders for nurses and nursing profession.

Nursing is a profession focused on the care of individual, families and communities . So , they may attain , maintain or recovers optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from others health care providers by their approach to patient care , training and scope of practice. Nurses practice in many specialities with differing levels of prescription authority. Nurses provide care both inter depending. For example, with physicians and independently as nursing professional , so multiple types and Arras if nursing helping for professional growth.

Members in a professional nursing organization provide nurses with continuing education, certification , oppertunities , role related competencies and educational conferences. Changes in health care occur almost daily. Nursing organisations promote and encourage the use of evidence- based practice to its members.

Certification recognises the clinical knowledge , experience and clinical judgement with in a nursing speciality. Benefits of certification include professional growth, Carreer advancement, financial rewards, professional recognition and perceived empowerment . Obtaining speciality certification promotes quality patient care, validates nurses knowledge and expertise , build confidence and credibility in professional ability and demonstrates dedication to nursing as a profession. Obtaining credentials increasing the professionalism in Nursing.

Thankyou