Introduction
One can only agree to Maya Angelou’s belief of how “As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves.” The field of nursing applies holistic care of all patients. From healing hands to caring hearts, nurses are the first person patients see when they wake up in the morning and the last before bed. With that being said, the biggest debate for over a century amongst the medical community is whether nursing is a profession. To shine some light over this topic, Pavalko’s eight dimensions will be applied to define nursing as a profession.
Social Values (A profession has relevance to social values)
More than 150 years have passed since Florence Nightingale first decided she wanted to be a nurse. Her dedications to providing lifelong services and care to the sick and the poor has been the center of nursing care. Therefore, nursing is considered one of the most altruistic professions around. Today, nurses still maintain the same social values, providing care to the ill and the poor but has taken on a more complex role, which includes providing health education and promotions. Randle (2010), believes by providing health education materials to diabetic patients, encourage these patients to change their lifestyles then the desired outcome would be increased health and wellness with a lasting effect versus the quick fix of medications alone.
Education (A profession has a training or educational period)
Unlike other healthcare professionals, a degree in nursing has several types of entry levels leading to licensure. There are three main types of educational tracts that one may take to receive a license to practice nursing, diploma program,...
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Although many stipulations and expectations of the nursing profession are predetermined through regulatory authorities and organizations, there is a deeper meaning to this profession and the care that it provides. For decades, nursing theorists have had an impact on the care that this profession delivers; however, it is also important for every practicing nurse to explore themselves and their personal thoughts and feelings on the profession they have chosen. As a nurse, I have been able to search myself and determine what nursing means to me and apply it in my daily interactions with my coworkers, patients, families, and the community in which I serve. The nursing metaparadigm serves as a framework on discovering and exploring these thoughts and values as it introduces four concepts: nursing, health, person, and environment. Nursing care is a delicate and integral balance of various components within these concepts. Nurses provide care to others during some of the most difficult times of life. Because of this, it is imperative to understand the meaning and application of these concepts and be able to apply that knowledge to the care we provide as a profession. As a nurse, it is important to realize that the care we provide is an extension of what we learn from textbooks; nursing care encompasses an understanding and acceptance of others as well as a continual willingness to help and improve society.
In today’s society nursing meets all the requirements of being a profession. To be considered a profession, one has to be dedicated to their career, abide by standards and a code of ethics, and have a higher education and a body of knowledge, duty to provide service, have autonomy and be part of a professional organization. Nurses take the traditional role of caring for loved ones to a whole new level of care.
Nursing is an ever-changing and growing profession. Tools such as, the scope and standards for nursing, state nursing legal regulations, code of ethics, and general principles of philosophy are used to set standards and promote growth within the profession. I use these principles and standards daily in my career as a registered nurse (RN). In this paper I will discuss the importance of these factors in my career, and how they all contribute to making outcomes successful for all involved.
Since its establishment as a profession more than a century ago, Nursing has been a source for numerous debates related to its course, methods and development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing definitions and theories have evolved over time. Furthermore it is in a constant process of being redefined.
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As a nurse, we serve a society which is very culturally diverse. We provide care to many individuals whom have their own unique set of ethics, values, morals, and beliefs by which may be very different from our own. Because of our professional role, we must use lifelong learning as a tool to broaden our views, increase our knowledge, and understand the influences which affect it. To make this possible, we have to continually educate ourselves about the nursing laws, professional standards, and code of ethics all of which we are committed to.
Fagermoen (1997) defines nursing professional identity as ‘the values and beliefs held by nurses that guide her/his thinking, actions and interactions with the patient’.
This paper is a first attempt at forming and articulating my own philosophy of nursing.
Nursing is a field of work that so many people find themselves fascinated with, as well as harboring a degree of respect. We look to nurses with a sense of admiration and reverence, and look to them for security in times of need. What makes nursing such a desirable and enthralling field to other people? Despite the fact that doctors are normally under the spotlight, nursing is of profound importance in American culture. Nurses provide comfort and security, as well as a knowledge of medical aid. The field of nursing has the benefit of coming from a field that is ancient, yet timeless and has blossomed throughout history to make a large impact on our culture today.
Throughout this philosophy paper, I have explored what nursing is based on my personal values and beliefs as it relates to the body of work in nursing. I value the importance of holistic nursing and the care of patients being individualized for them and their family. Also, effectively collaborating among health care professionals to ensure quality care for patients. Additionally, the importance of health promotion as one of the main roles of nurses is being a teacher, since promoting health prevents illness and increases the level of health in clients. These principles will serve as a guide for my personal standards of nursing practice.
There are several professional values that a nurse must possess altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justices are among these. Altruism is being concerned for the well-being and welfare of others; this includes their patients and colleagues. This is demonstrated daily through understanding cultural differences, considering the perspectives of others and mentoring others
“Nursing encompasses an art, a humanistic orientation, a feeling for the value of the individual, and an intuitive sense of ethics, and of the appropriateness of action taken’, said Myrtle Aydelott (Hammarskjold, 2000). Nurses have our patients trust with their lives every day. These patients have needs that must be understood and met, whether; physical, psychological, or emotional. Nurses must provide nonjudgmental care to those in need, regardless of culture, religion, lifestyle choices, financial status, or hues of the human race. To quote Jean Watson, nursing theorist, “I am here to care for others, regardless of where they came from” (Hammarskjold, 2000). I believe that the nursing profession chose me because I have always had a calling to help those in need. Nursing
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