SCHOOL OF NURSING
RN-BSN PROGRAM

COLLEGE
OF
HEALTH
AND
URBAN AFFAIRS

Professional Nursing I: Socialization
PROFESSIONALISM

To e-mail the instructor phillips@fiu.edu

ASSIGNMENT (FOR WEB-BASED ONLY STUDENTS)
Read Chapter 1 (Beginning the Transition: Journey to Professionalism) in your textbook
Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives and review the handout below.

1. Review the handout below. Look at each statement. Based on the statements below, is nursing a profession?

Which statements indicate that nursing is a profession?
Which statements indicate that nursing is not a profession?

2. If nursing is not a profession, how would you change nursing education and/or nursing
service to make nursing more consistent with a "profession?"

E-MAIL YOUR ANSWERS TO THE INSTRUCTOR (AT LEAST 200 WORDS).

CLASS HANDOUT

DEFINITION OF A PROFESSION
A body of individuals voluntarily subordinating themselves to a standard of social morality more exacting (with
certain privileges and responsibilities) than that of the community in general.

CRITERIA FOR A PROFESSION

Has a well-defined, well-organized, research-based body of knowledge.

Uses the scientific method (tested experience and experimentation) to enlarge the body of knowledge.

Attracts individuals who exalt service for mankind and choose the profession as life work Is the major
source of income by those who practice it.

Commands prestige. Gives evidence of needed skills that the public does not possess; that is, skills that are
partly innate and partly acquired.

Uses institutions of higher learning for education and exerts independent authority over its own education.

Demands education of a body of specialized and systematized knowledge.

Bases its techniques of operation upon principles rather than rule-of-thumb procedures or simple routine skills.

Is a type of beneficial work, the results of which are not subject to standardization (an example of
standardization is assembly line work).

Requires the exercise of discretion and judgment as to time and manner of performance of duty. This is in
contrast to the kind of work that is subject to immediate direction and supervision (such as nurse aide work).

Provides freedom of action and opportunity for professional growth and economic security.

Has sufficient self-impelling power to retain its members throughout life. It is not used as a mere
stepping-stone to other occupations.

Has a recognized code of ethics. This ethical code commits the members of the profession to certain social
values above the selfish one of income, power and prestige.

Exerts authority. Functions autonomously in forming its professional policy and controlling activity.

CRITERIA OR DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSIONAL
NURSE

Professional nurses place a high value on the work a nurse does.

Professional nurses assume responsibility and accountability for the outcomes of their nursing practice, and
never blame, rationalize, or justify.

Professional nurses make independent decisions on behalf of their clients, department, and organization in new
or difficult situations.

Professional nurses participate in further formal education, continuing education, and maintain a continued
desire to learn and apply new information.

Professional nurses mentor and act as confident, self-controlled role models for inexperienced nurses.

Professional nurses use professional attire to "look the part" when interacting with other professionals and
clients.

Professional nurses actively involve themselves in the concerns and issues of nursing through involvement in
their profession, their departments and their organizations.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
The purpose of professional education is to provide members with:

Competence to practice the profession with sufficient knowledge and skills.

Defines clients in terms of health and promoting and maintaining health.
Views the relationship between the nurse and clients as a therapeutic and analytic process.
Learns technical mastery of procedures and tools from the aspect of principles guiding their use.
Uses critical inquiry and creativity processes to manipulate knowledge in relation to the client's concerns.
Accepts responsibilities and accountability for client care decisions.

Opportunities for the development, clarification, and internalization of professional values.

Social understanding with sufficient breadth to place in a social context and to develop leadership in a public
affairs capacity.

Personal traits that make effective practice possible.

Enthusiasm for continued study and knowledge.

Research competency or research interpretation competency.