NURSING AS

A PROFESSION

Nicole Denise D. Portugaleza, RN

CRITERIA FOR A
PROFESSION

PROFESSION
-an occupation that requires at a
minimum specialized training and a
specialized body of knowledge
CRITERIA FOR A
PROFESSION

Is Nursing a Profession?
CRITERIA FOR A
PROFESSION
Flexner (2001)
first published a list of criteria in 1915
often used as a benchmark for
determining the status of an
occupation as a profession
ALTRUISM
ALTRUISM
selflessness
provides services needed by society
motivation is public service over
personal gain
focus on service to their patients
and the community
 BODY OF
KNOWLEDGE
& RESEARCH
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
AND RESEARCH
there is a well-defined, specific, and
unique body of theoretical
knowledge in nursing
leading to defined skills, abilities,
and norms
a profession is distinguished by a
specific culture with norms and
values common to its members
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
AND RESEARCH

uses theory as a basis for practice

nursing’s reliance on research for
practice is considered EBP
ACCOUNTABILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY
involves accepting responsibility for
actions and omissions
has legal, ethical, and professional
implications
necessary for safe patient care
assessing for and attending to
adverse reactions
 HIGHER
EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION

professions have specific

education requirements
provides the basis for practice and
allows for a lifelong educational
opportunities
AUTONOMY
AUTONOMY

members of a profession have

autonomy in decision-making and
practice
they develop their own policies in
collaboration with one another
CODE OF
ETHICS
CODE OF ETHICS

guide decisions for practice and

conduct
Ethics- standard of right and
wrong behavior, or moral
principles that guide a person’s
behavior
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION
numerous organizations have
evolved to support and
encourage high standards in
nursing
e.g. ANA- provides standards of
professional nursing practice
LICENSURE
LICENSURE

committed to competence
has a legally recognized license
members are accountable for
continuing their education
PNLE- Philippine Nursing Licensure
Exam
DIVERSITY
DIVERSITY
“Inherent in Nursing is respect for human rights,
including cultural rights, the right to life and
choice, to dignity, and to be treated with respect.
Nursing care is respectful of and unrestricted by
considerations of age, colour, creed, culture,
disability or illness, gender, sexual orientation,
nationality, politics, race, or social status” (ICN,
2021, p.2).
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
QUALITIES OF A NURSE
CHARACTERISTICS

1. concerned with quality

2. self-directed, responsible, & accountable for his/her
actions
3. able to make independent & sound judgement
4. dedicated to improvement of human life
5. committed to the spirit of inquiry
 PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES OF A
NURSE
1. Has faith in fundamental values that underlie the
democratic way of life
2. Has sense of responsibility for understanding those
he/she works with or associates with
3. Has faith in reality of spiritual & aesthetic values &
awareness of the values & the pleasure of self-
development
 PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES OF A
NURSE
4. Has basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary
to address present-day social problems, realistic,
incisive, & well-organized thoughts through critical
thinking
5. Has skills in using written & spoken language
6. Appreciates and understands the importance of
good health
 PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES OF A
NURSE
7. Has emotional balance
8. Likes hard work & and possesses a capacity for it
9. Appreciates high standards of workmanship
10. Accepts and tries to understand people of all sorts,
regardless of race, religion, & color
11. Knows Nursing so thoroughly that every client will
receive excellent care
PERSONAL QUALITIES OF A NURSE

1. Philosophy
2. Good Personality
the collection of characteristics, thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors that are associated with a person
COMPONENTS OF A
GOOD PERSONALITY
COMPONENTS OF A GOOD
PERSONALITY

Personal appearance
Character
Attitude
Charm
PERSONAL APPEARANCE

posture
grooming
dress and uniform
CHARACTER
Virtues Emanating from the Practice of Charity

Justice
Prudence
Fortitude
Temperance

The Nurse is Basically a Good Person!

CHARACTER
Attributes of Charity

Honesty Tolerance
Reliability Resourcefulness
Loyalty Judgement
Motivation Moderation
ATTITUDE
8 Attitudes of a Nurse

Acceptance Permissiveness
Helpful Limit Setting
Friendliness Sincerity
Firmness Competence
CHARM
To acquire charm, one needs to cultivate the following:

Voice Intelligence
Manner Poise
Heart
FIELDS OF NURSING
NURSE PRACTITIONER

has an advanced education & is a graduate of a

nurse practitioner program
may focus in areas such as adult-gerontology,
family, neonatal, pediatric, women’s health/gender
CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST

has an advanced degree or expertise

considered to be an expert in a specialized area of
practice
provides direct client care, educates others,
consults, conducts research, & manages care
NURSE ANESTHETIST

has completed advanced education in an

accredited program in anesthesiology
carries out preoperative visits & assessments
administers general anesthetics for surgery under
the supervision of an anesthesiologist
NURSE MIDWIFE

gives prenatal and postnatal care

manages deliveries in normal deliveries
NURSE RESEARCHER

investigates nursing problems to improve nursing

care and to refine and expand nursing knowledge
NURSE ADMINISTRATOR

manages client care, including the delivery of

nursing services
head nurse, supervisor, director
budgeting, staffing, and planning programs
NURSE EDUCATOR

employed in nursing programs, at educational

institutions, and in hospital staff education
NURSE ENTERPRENEUR

manages a health-related business

FORENSIC NURSE

provides specialized care for individuals who are

victims and/or perpetrators of trauma
have knowledge of the legal system and skills in
injury indentification