Nurses as Professionals
Several people and organizations have tried to define nursing. Currently there are several definitions of nursing. However, ANA (2003) definition of nursing that nursing is “the practical promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response and the advocacy in the care of individual, families, communities and populations” (as cited Meleis, 2011 and Masters, 2005) is perhaps the most commonly used definition of nursing. I am of the opinion that nursing is basically the taking care of people who need special care and attention.
There are several characteristics that are considered essential in the nursing profession. ANA (2001) stipulates that a nurse should place the interest of their clients above theirs, should be able to respect their clients with respect to their autonomy in making healthcare decisions. Emotional qualities that are desirable in nurses include; determination, emotional intelligence, self regulation (especially the ability to control ones mood), empathy and hopefulness (as cited in Masters, 2005). Masters (2005) further asserts that a good nurse is one who is able to manage anxiety and stress since when a nurse displays such, there is a big possibility that the client will be adversely affected. Most importantly, ability to view patients in a holistic manner and being sensitive to the clients’ needs are yet some of the most important characteristics that are desirable in nurses (Masters, 2005).
Professedly the responsibilities of a nurse are always not understood by the public. In most cases the public is only aware that the role of a nurse is to look after the sick in a hospital. This is true; nurses have to look after the sick at the hospital. However, the role of a nurse does not end there. Nurses are also responsible for admitting patients in a health care facility. In a similar manner, once the physician is convinced that a patient can be discharged, it is the role of the nurse the ensure that the patient is successfully discharged in the accompany of all the things that he or she came with on admission on top of any other thing that the physician prescribed form the patient (Barnum & Kerfoot, 1995). Again, nurses also assess patients with regards to their medical history. The findings of the assessment are then compiled as a report which is then submitted to the physician. Additionally, there are other professional responsibilities of a nurse that perhaps the public is not aware of. These responsibilities are conventionally known as Quality and Safety Educations for Nurses (QSEN) competencies that govern the knowledge, skills and attitudes of nurses. One of the QSEN competencies is the teamwork and collaboration competency (Youngberg, 2013). With regards to teamwork and collaboration competency, nurses are expected to relate with one another professionally by embracing team work, encouraging open communication, respecting one another and helping each other in decision making as one of the ways of bettering patient care (Youngberg, 2013).
As a professional nurse, one is bound to set standards or values which will be the foundation of one’s nursing practice. The values that are pertinent in the nursing profession include altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice (Kelly, 2010). Altruism refers to a concern for the well being of others. This can be reflected through advocating for the welfare of the patients (Kelly, 2010). Autonomy on the other hand refers to the ability of a nurse to practice self determination by respecting the patients’ decisions in matters pertaining to heath care (Kelly, 2010). While human dignity refers to the appreciation of the fact that human beings are inherently different by respecting patients and other nurses, integrity and social justice refer acting in a manner that does not go against the nursing ethics and fair treatment of patient with considering their economic status respectively (Kelly, 2010).
Concisely, a professional nurse is one who has graduated from an institution offering an accredited nursing course and is behaving in a manner that is acceptable according to the dictates of the nursing profession. Nurses carryout several tasks that are in most case not known by the public. Even though the public knows that the main role of the nursing is to take care of patients, nurses also double up as assessors besides admitting and ensuring that patients are discharged amicably. The nursing profession is governed by several professional values that are inclusive of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice. Admittedly, writing this paper has enabled me come to the understanding of several aspects of the nursing profession. Particularly, I am overly intrigued by the social justice professional value which demands that nurses treat their patients indiscriminately regardless of their economic status; this is a value I wish to uphold during my entire nursing career. It is also worth noting that I strongly admire Dorothea Orem in light of her pivotal role in bettering the nursing profession.
References
Barnum, B. S., & Kerfoot, K. M. (1995). The nurse as executive. Gaithersburg, Mar: Aspen.
Kelly, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership & management. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
Masters, K. (2005). Role development in professional nursing practice. Sudbury, Mass. ; Toronto: Jones and Bartlett.
Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Youngberg, B. J. (2013). Patient safety handbook. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
