NURSING AS A PROFESSION

Prepared By:
Mrs . Percis . S,
Assistant professor,
 Introduction

Nursing is one of the greatest of humanitarian services

and all people whether ill or well ,rich or poor, literate or
illiterate, young or old ,at work or at play in or out of
hospital , are in some way or other, directly or indirectly
closely associated with it.
 Nursing
 Nursing is an art, science and profession by which we render,
serve to human being to help him to regain or to keep a normal
state of body and mind and when it cannot accomplish this, it
help him for the relief from physical pain, mental anxiety or
spiritual discomfort.
 International council of Nursing(1987)
 Nursing is to assist the individual (sick or well) in the performance of
those activities contributing to health , its recovery (or to a peaceful
death) that he would perform unaided, if he had the necessary strength
,will or the if he had the necessary strength , will or the knowledge
and to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as
rapidly as possible.
 Profession
 A profession is an occupation with moral principles that
are devoted to the human and social welfare. The service
is based on specialized knowledge and skill developed in
a scientific and learned manner.
 Professional conduct
 Professional conduct is behaving with a real sense of
dignity and respect for the service given for the patient
and for theses with which one works.
 NURSING AS A PROFESSION
 Profession has been defined as that requires extensive education
or a calling that requires special knowledge, skill and
preparation.
 Profession is an occupation with moral principles that are
devoted to human and social welfare.
 Professionalism refers to professional character, spirit or
methods.it is a set of attributes, a way of life that implies
responsibility and commitment.
 Professional nurse is a health worker, a graduate from a
recognized school who is identified by law as a registered nurse
whether graduated from B.sc or diploma program.
Characteristics of a profession

Body of
knowledge

Code of Service
ethics orientation
profession

Ongoing
Autonomy
research
Body of knowledge- Nursing is establishing a well defined body of
knowledge and expertize .
Service orientation-this services is guided by certain rules ,polices
or code of ethics.
Ongoing research-increase research in nursing is contributing to
nursing practice.
Code of ethics-monitor the professional behaviours of its members.
Autonomy-regulates itself and sets standards for its members.
 Characteristics of a professional Nurse
 Good physical and mental health
 Truthful and efficient in technical competence.
 Cleanliness , tidy , neat and well groomed
 Confidence
 Intelligence
 Open minded ,cooperative , responsible, able to develop
good interpersonal relations.
 Leadership quality.
 Positive attitudes
 Self-belief towards human care and cure
 Convey cooperative attitudes toward co-workers
 Responsible towards family and society
 Functions of NURSE
 Caregiver
 Communicator
 Teacher
 Client advocate
 Counselor
 Change agent
 Leader
 Manager
 Case manager
 Research consumer
 Expended career roles
 CARE GIVER: The care giver role traditionally included those activities that
assist the patient physically and psychologically while preserving the patients
dignity.
 Communicator: In the role communicator, nurses identify patients problems
and then communicate these verbally or in writing to other members of the
health team.
 Teacher: as a teacher, the nurse helps the client learn about their health and the
health care procedures they need to perform to restore or maintain their health.
 Conti….
 Client advocate : A client advocate acts to protect the client . In this
role the nurse may represent the clients needs and wishes to other
health professionals, such as relying the clients wishes for information
to the physician.
 Counselor : the nurse counsels primarily healthy individual with
normal adjustments difficulties by encouraging the client to look at
alternative behaviors.
 Change agent: nurses are continually dealing with change in the health
care system.
 Leader: the leader role can be employed at different levels.
 Manager: delegates nursing activities to ancillary workers and
other workers.
 Case manager: she works with the multidisciplinary health care
team , plan and monitor outcomes .
 Research consumer: nurses often use research to improve client
area.
 Expended career roles: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse
specialist , nurse midwife , nurse educator, nurse researcher etc..
Qualities of a nurse
 Honesty Loyalty Dignity

Discipline
Personal
Appearance
& courtesy
obedience

Tact sympathy
Sense of Optimistic Observation and
humour& outlook adaptability
patience

Economy
Gentleness and responsibility
quietness
 SCOPE OF NURSING

Staff Nurse Deputy nursing Community

Military nurse
superintendent health nurse

Nursing Nursing Teaching in Nursing service

supervisor superintendent nursing abroad

Department Director of
Industrial nursing
Nursing service
administrative
supervisor nursing
position
ETHICS
 Definition
 Ethics are the rules or principles that govern right
conduct. Ethics are designed to protect the rights of
human being. Ethics are characteristics of a healthy
profession. The code of ethics will state what kind of
conduct is expected from the members of a profession.
what are the responsibilities of its members towards those
whom they serve, their co-workers , the profession and
the society as a whole.
 Nursing ETHICS

 It provide professional standards for nursing

activities which protect the nurse and the patient.
 In 1973 ,the international council for Nurses adopted
code of ethics.
CODE OF ETHICS
Nurses and
people

Nurses and Nurses and

profession practices

Nurses and Nurses and

co-workers society
 Nurses and people

 Primary responsibility in nursing care

 Values , spiritual beliefs of the individual are respected
 Hold in confidence personal information and use judgement
in sharing this information
 Nurses and practices
 Need continual learning
 Highest standards of nursing care
 Uses judgement in relation to individual competence , e.g-
delegating responsibilities
 Nurses and society
 The nurse shares with other citizens
 Initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social
needs of the public.
 Nurses and co-workers
 Co-operative relation with co-workers and other fields
 Safeguard the individual when his care is endangered by a co-
worker or any other person
 Nurses and the profession

 The nurse plays a major role in determining and

implementing standards of nursing practices and nursing
education.
 Develop professional knowledge
 Acting through the professional organisation.
Values in professional Nursing
Confidentiality&
autonomy
Ethnic and
Protection
religious
from harm
sensitivity

Professional
caring
development

Systems
Dedication
thinking
Caring and advocacy

 Role of client advocate

 Protects client right
 Provide assistance
 Provide additional information if necessary
 As a protector the nurse helps in maintain safe
environment
 Prevent injury
Advocacy skills
Problem
solving

collaburation Advocacy communication

skills

influence