CHARACTERISTICS OF A

PROFESSION
Shejila Chillakunnel Hussain Rawther
Lecturer
School of Nursing
UCSI University
Lecture-2
 Learning Outcome
At the end of the lecture students will be able to

 Define profession
 Differentiate between professionalism and
professionalization
 Identify Characteristics of a profession
 State the characteristics of nursing profession
and nursing education
 Discuss characteristics of a professional nurse
 Introduction
Nursing is different from medicine,which
equally deserves professional status.

The meanings of profession and

professionalism applied to nursing have been
a subject for debate for many years.
 Definitions of Profession
• Profession is a calling requiring specialized
knowledge and of the long and intensive
academic preparation (Webster’s dictionary)

• Profession is an occupation especially that

involves knowledge and training in a branch of
advanced learning (Oxford dictionary)
 Difference between professionalism
and professionalization
• Professionalism-refers to professional
character, spirit or methods or it is a set of
attributes.

• Professionalization-is a process of becoming

professional-that is of acquiring characteristics
considered to be professional.
 Characteristics of a profession
• Requires an extended education as well as a
basic liberal foundation
• Has a theoretical body of knowledge
• Provides a specific service
• Members have autonomy in decision making
and practice
• The profession/professional has a code of
ethics for practice
 Characteristics of nursing profession
used by American Association of
colleges of nursing (AACN)
• Possession of a body of specialized knowledge
• Use of scientific method to enlarge body of
knowledge
• Education within institutions of higher
education
• Control of professional policy, professional
activity and autonomy
 Characteristics of nursing profession

• Code of ethics
• Nursing as lifetime commitment
• Service to the public
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Body of specialized knowledge
• Critics state nursing borrows biologic sciences,
social sciences, and medical sciences and
combines skills and concepts
• This amalgamation and synthesis is one of
nursing’s distinctive qualities
• Nursing researchers work to develop an
organized body of knowledge, as this knowledge
expands this criterion is more nearly met
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Use of scientific method
• Much work has been done toward
systematically gathering and analyzing data,
correctly identifying problems, selecting
alternatives and evaluating patient care
• Evidence based practice and education are the
forefront of nursing today
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Education to acquire higher education
• Over time the settings in which nurses have
educated have changed ,with most
programmes under colleges or universities.

• The academic qualification required for entry

to nursing is equal to other major professions
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Professional policy, professional activity and
autonomy
• Today nurses are responsible for planning,
implementing and evaluating the care patient
receives and being accountable for that care.
• Nursing policies,protocols,standards of practice,
evaluative criteria have been developed by
nurses.
• More collaborative care are occurring with other
health team members
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• A code of ethics
• The general standard for professional
behavior of nurses is ANA Code for Nurses
which is periodically revised.

• The ICN also has developed a code for nurses

that sets standards of ethical practice by
nurses throughout the world
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Nursing as a life time commitment
• Most nurses view themselves as committed to
their profession and continue to identify
themselves as nurses as long after they retire.

• Better educational and clinical pathways

encourage continued growth and retention in
the profession
 Characteristics of nursing profession
• Service to the public
• Although collective bargaining and
remuneration for services exist, By concepts
of altruism and dedication nursing provides a
service to the public
 Characteristics of nursing education
• Liberal education

• Professional values

• Core competencies

• Core knowledge

• Role development
 Liberal Education
• Foundation for developing clinical judgment

• Framework for knowledge in arts and sciences

• Promotes critical thinking

• Provides broad-based knowledge

 Professional Values
• Altruism: concern for well-being of others
before self
• Autonomy: right to self-determination
• Human dignity: respect for inherent worth
and uniqueness of individuals
• Integrity: acting ethically and in accordance
with established standards
• Social justice: “upholding moral, legal, and
humanistic principles”.
 Core Competencies
• Critical thinking

• Communication

• Assessment

• Technical skills
 Core Knowledge
• Health promotion, risk reduction, and disease
prevention
• Illness and disease management
• Information and health care technologies
• Ethics
• Human diversity
• Global health care
• Health care systems and policy
 Professional Role Development
• Provider of care

• Designer/Manager/Coordinator of care

• Member of a Profession
Characteristics of a professional nurse
• Own philosophy
• High standards of performance
• Demonstrates integrity in her practice
• Committed to life long learning
• Uses critical thinking
• Self determination
• Collaborate and communicate with other
health care professionals
Characteristics of a professional nurse
• Demonstrates self regulation and
accountability for self and others
• Active in professional organizations
• Recognize own limits and seeks help when
needed
• Contributes to the expansion of nursing’s
body of knowledge
• Provide leadership
Characteristics of a professional nurse
• Use principles of time management
• Delegates responsibility wisely
• Represent profession to the public
• Demonstrates commitment to nursing as a
career
• Model healthy coping behaviors
 Conclusion
• Nursing practice must fully evolve as a
practice profession.

• Nurses need to unify and state who they are

and what functions and roles they deserve to
have in health care system, otherwise nursing
cannot be expected to receive the amount of
respect and definition as other professionals.
 References
• Oweis,Arwa (2005)Bringing the professional
challenges for nursing in Jordan to light.
International journal of nursing practice .
11(6),December 2005 p 244-249
• Kozier, B. & Erb, G.et al, (2006). Fundamentals of
Nursing concepts ,process and Practice. 6th Ed.
Pearson. Prentice Hall.
• Ellis, J.R. & Hartley, C. L. (2004). Nursing in
today’s world: trends, issues and management.
9th Ed.Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Thank you