Nursing as a Profession Essay - 1020 Words

Nursing as a Profession Lisa Renfrow Oklahoma Wesleyan University Nursing as a Profession The question of whether the practice of nursing is considered a profession or an occupation is an ongoing debate, much like the ongoing debate over what defines a profession. Several scholars have outlined criteria for considering an occupation to be a profession. Given a list of scholars and their criteria for what characteristics define a profession, I have chosen the list formulated by Lucie Kelly, RN, PhD, FAAN. Although the scholars’ works seem to share similar criteria and any could be selected for comparison, I have chosen Kelly’s criteria based on her background in the nursing profession. In addition to†¦show more content†¦66). The third characteristic of a profession, according to Kelly, is that the service involves intellectual activities and that accountability is an important feature of those activities (Chitty Black, 2011, p. 66). I believe nursing also meets these requirements through the nursing process. In order t o provide care for an individual, a nurse must assess the problem, decide on an approach (or plan of care), and implement that plan. The nurse has to be able to evaluate the outcome of those actions and adjust the plan accordingly. Autonomy is an important part of this individual responsibility. Nurses are held accountable for their individual actions by their employers, patients, and the public. Registered nurses today are required to meet strict educational standards before applying for licensure. Kelly’s fourth criterion requires practitioners to be educated in institutes of higher learning (Chitty Black, 2011, p. 66). Associate or baccalaureate degrees are the most common education levels for registered nurses. Some diploma programs are still being run in hospitals, but their numbers are steadily declining (Chitty Black, 2011, p. 149). Graduate degree programs focused on education, research, and advanced practice provide opportunities for nurses to progress in th eir careers. The fifth characteristic of a profession is the one that I think is most debated. It states that practitioners are relatively independent and regulateShow MoreRelatedThe Profession Of The Nursing Profession1829 Words   |  8 PagesThe Nursing Profession A profession as defined has five distinct characteristics that separate it from a job. Those characteristic include; an extended education, a theoretical body of knowledge leading to defined skills and abilities, provision of a specific service, autonomy in decision making and practice, and a code of ethics for practice. Nursing as a profession demonstrates each of these characteristics on all levels. These characteristics are up held by nursing organizations such as ANARead MoreIs Nursing A Profession?1153 Words   |  5 Pages Is Nursing A Profession? 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