Nursing

as a
Profession

Criteria of a profession
Profession defined as an
occupation
that
requires
extensive education or calling
that
requires
special
knowledge,
skill,
and
preparation.

 A profession is generally
distinguished from other
kinds of occupations by:

University education
Distinct service or practice and discipline
Research-based body of knowledge
Autonomy (self-governance) and
accountability
Code of ethics
Association membership

Two terms related to

profession need to be
differentiated

Professionalism
Refers to professional character,
spirit, or methods. It is a set of
attributes, a way of life that
implies
responsibility
and
commitment.

Professionalization
Is the process of becoming
professional, that is, of
acquiring
characteristics
considered to be professional.

*** Breaking confidentiality can be if there is a

well-defined reason to share information.
(Benefit outweigh harm).

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-Ethics are a systematic philosophical method

of inquiry that assists people in understanding
the morality of human behavior and social
policies
- The study of philosophical ideals of right and
wrong behavior.

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- Involve principles and values with universal

application and standards of conduct in all
situations.

- Are what each person hold as true for himself

or herself.

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Four principles and values that are integral to

the professional nurses practice:
1- Respect the patients autonomy. (Independence)
2- Act with beneficence. (Be a benefit self and others)
3- Act with non malfeasances. (Not harmful)
4- Act with justice. (Fairness)

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Code of Ethics:
Is a set of ethical principles that are accepted
by all members of a profession.
The core principles of nursing ethics are:

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The ability to answer for ones own actions.

-The nurse balances accountability to the
client, profession, employer, and society.
-Accountability is best ensured and measured
when quality of care has been defined.

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Refers to the characteristics of reliability and

dependability.
(An ability to distinguish between right and
wrong).
-In professional nursing responsibility includes
a duty to perform action well and thoughtfully.

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e.g When administering a medication the nurse is

responsible for assessing the clients need for it &

making sure that it is given in a right and a correct
manner and evaluating the response to it.
-The nurse gains trust from clients, colleagues a&
society when act responsibly.

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Information about a client must be kept private.

-Clients record is accessible only to those providing

care to that client.
-Discussing clients outside the clinical setting, telling
friends or family about clients must be avoided.
-Medical records may not be copied or forwarded

without a clients consent.

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*** Breaking confidentiality can be if there is a

well-defined reason to share information.
(Benefit outweigh harm).

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 ( e.g.. Privacy of P.T is cared for when closing the

room door when performing nursing care ,
confidentiality is cared for by not discussing that
care with some one that is not a member of that P.T
health care team)

 ( e.g.. Privacy of P.T is cared for when closing the

room door when performing nursing care ,
confidentiality is cared for by not discussing that
care with some one that is not a member of that P.T
health care team)

Means telling the truth.

Or
Accuracy or conformity to truth.
- Truthfulness may be challenged during the
delivery of health care.

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Means being faithful to ones commitments

and promises.

- Nurses commitments to clients include

providing safe care and maintaining

competence in nursing practice.

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Is the avoidance of harm.

-When work with client nurses must not cause

injury or suffering by maintaining competency

in clinical practice.
-Promote balance of potential risk included

harms with benefits

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Refers to taking positive actions to help others.

Or Means doing or promoting good.

Nurses duty to help promote the well-being of
others.
e.g Administer pain medication and dressing and
emotional support and Childs immunization.

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Means independence and the ability to be self-

directed.
** Incorporates principles of freedom of

choice, self-determination, and privacy.

e.g Consent

(How)

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Refers to fairness (treat all clients equally and

fairly).

- Relates to the distribution of services and

resources (resource allocation throughout a

society of group).

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-Nurses commonly face issues of justice when

organizing care for a group of clients
- how much time is spent with each client?
(Based on client need).
-Fair distribution of resources.

-Dilemmas arise when resources are

insufficient to meet the needs of everyone.
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Roles and Functions of the

Nurse

Caregiver
encompasses

the
physical,
psychosocial,
developmental,
cultural, and spiritual levels.

Communicator
Nurses

communicate with the

client, support persons, other
health professionals, and people
in the community.

Teacher
-the

nurse helps clients learn

about their health and the
health care procedures they
need to perform to restore or
maintain their health.

Client advocate

acts to protect the client. In this role,

the nurse may represent the client's
needs and wishes to other health
professionals, such as relaying the client's
wishes for information to the physician.
They also assist clients in exercising their
rights and help them speak up for
themselves.

Counselor

Counseling is the process of helping

a client to recognize and cope with
stressful psychological or social
problems, to develop improved
interpersonal relationships, and to
promote personal growth. It involves
providing emotional, intellectual, and
psychological support.

Change agent

The nurse acts as a change agent

when assisting others, that is, clients, to
make modifications in their own
behavior. Nurses also often act to make
changes in a system, such as clinical
care, if it is not helping a client return to
health. Nurses are continually dealing
with change in the health care system.

Leader
A

leader influences others to work

together to accomplish a specific
goal. The leader role can be
employed at different levels:
individual client, family, groups of
clients,
colleagues,
or
the
community.

Manager
The

nurse manages the nursing

care of individuals, families, and
communities. The nurse manager
also delegates nursing activities to
other nurses, and supervises and
evaluates their performance.

Research consumer
Nurses

often use research

to improve client care.

Recipients of Nursing
Individuals
Families,
Group of people or community

Personal & Professional Characteristics of a

Nurse

Communication Skills
A great nurse has excellent
communication skills that include speaking
and listening. They are able to follow
directions without problem and can easily
communicate with patients and families to
understand their needs and explain
treatments.

Emotional Stability
A great nurse is very stable emotionally.
Nursing is a stressful job and nurses
encounter many traumatic situations,
suffering, and death. A great nurse is one
who is able to work without allowing the
stress to cause great personal harm.

Empathy
Great nurses have empathy for the pain
and suffering of patients. They are able to
feel compassion and provide comfort.

Flexible
A great nurse is flexible with regards to
working hours and responsibilities. Nurses
are often required to work long periods of
overtime, late or overnight shifts, and
weekends.

Good Attention to Detail

A great nurse understands that every step
in the medical field is one that can have
far-reaching consequences. A great nurse
pays excellent attention to detail and is
careful not to skip steps or make errors.

Good Interpersonal Skills

A great nurse has excellent interpersonal
skills and works well in a variety of
situations with different people. They work
well with other nurses, doctors, and other
members of a staff.

Physical Endurance
A great nurse has strong physical
endurance and is able to tolerate standing
for long periods of time, lifting heavy
objects (or people), and performing a
number of taxing maneuvers on a daily
basis.

Problem-Solving Skills
A great nurse can think quickly and
address problems as - or before - they
arise.

Quick Response
A great nurse can respond quickly to
emergencies and other situations that
arise. Quite often, healthcare work is
simply the response to sudden incidences,
and nurses must always be prepared.

Respect
Great nurses respect people and rules.
They are mindful of confidentiality
requirements and different cultures and
traditions. And they respect the wishes of
the patient.