Profession
· Is a calling that requires special knowledge, skill and preparation.
· An occupation that requires advanced knowledge and skills and that it grows out of society’s needs for special services.
Professional Nursing
· Is an art and a science, dominated by an ideal of service in which certain principles are applied in the skillful care of the well and the ill, and through relationship with the client/ patient, significant others, and other members of the health team.
Criteria of Profession
1. To provide a needed service to the society.
2. To advance knowledge in its field.
3. To protect its members and make it possible to practice effectively.
Characteristics of a Profession
1. Education. A profession requires an extended education of its members, as well as basic liberal foundation.
2. Theory. A profession has a theoretical body of knowledge leading to defined skills, abilities and norms.
3. Service. A profession provides basic service.
4. Autonomy. Members of a profession have autonomy in decision making and in practice.
5. Code of Ethics. The profession as a whole has a code of ethics for practice. A profession has sufficient self-impelling power o retain its members throughout life. It must not be a mere steppingstone to other occupations.
6. Caring. The most unique characteristic of nursing as a profession is that, it is a CARING profession.
Nursing
· Is a disciplined involved in the delivery of health care to the society.
· Is a helping profession
· Is service-oriented to maintain health and well-being of people.
· Is an art and a science.
· Nurse - originated from a Latin word NUTRIX, to nourish.
Characteristics of Nursing
1. Nursing is caring.
2. Nursing involves close personal contact with the recipient of care.
3. Nursing is concerned with services that take humans into account as physiological, psychological, and sociological organisms.
4. Nursing is committed to promoting individual, family, community, and national health goals in its best manner possible.
5. Nursing is committed to personalized services for all persons without regard to color, creed, social or economic status.
6. Nursing is committed to involvement in ethical, legal, and political issues in the delivery of health care.
Personal Qualities of a Nurse
1. Must have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
