NURSING AS A PROFESSION

Nursing is an essential and rapidly evolving profession that plays a critical role in providing high-quality healthcare to patients. Understanding nursing as a profession is crucial for nurses, healthcare organizations, and the public, as it helps to ensure that nurses are recognized for their expertise, skills, and contributions to patient care. This article aims to explore the concept of nursing as a profession, focusing on two main points: the definition of nursing as a profession and its characteristics/criteria.

DEFINITIONS

Occupation: An occupation refers to a person's regular work or profession, typically in exchange for payment. It is a job or career in which an individual engages to earn a living and support themselves and their families.

Profession: A profession is a specialized field of work that requires a high level of knowledge, skill, and expertise. Professions are characterized by formalized education and training, adherence to ethical codes and standards, and the ability to exercise autonomy and decision-making in their work.

"A profession is an occupation or calling that requires advanced training and experience in a specific or specialized body of knowledge, which provides a service to society in that special field."

Profession is defined as "a vocation requiring advanced training and usually involving mental rather than manual work, such as teaching, engineering, especially medicine, law" - Webster 1989.

S.NO.	FEATURE	OCCUPATION	PROFESSION
1	Education and training	Education and training may vary and may not require advanced degrees or formalized training.	Formalized education and training, often requiring advanced degrees and specialized training in a specific field.
2	Expertise and specialization	Generally, does not require specialized knowledge or skills, although certain occupations may require specific skills or certifications.	Requires a high level of specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise.
3	Ethical codes and standards	Ethical considerations may vary depending on the occupation and its requirements.	Professions are often guided by established ethical codes and standards that govern the conduct of practitioners.
4	Autonomy and decision-making	May not require a high level of autonomy or decision-making, with tasks and responsibilities often defined by an employer or supervisor.	Requires a high level of autonomy and decision-making, with practitioners often making complex clinical judgments and decisions.
5	Purpose and societal impact	Occupations may serve a variety of purposes, including providing goods or services to the public, but may not necessarily have a direct impact on society.	Professions are often dedicated to the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, and may have a significant impact on society through the provision of critical services.

Overall, while both occupations and professions involve regular work or employment, professions require a higher level of education, training, expertise, and ethical considerations, and are often characterized by their purpose and impact on society.

CHARACTERISTICS/CRITERIA OF PROFESSION:

A profession is a specialized field of work that requires a high level of knowledge, skill, and expertise. It is characterized by certain attributes or criteria that distinguish it from other occupations. The following are the common characteristics/criteria used to define a profession:

S.NO.	CRITERIA	MEANING	NURSING AS PROFESSION
1	High Intellectual Level of Functioning	Professions require a high level of intellectual functioning, which is acquired through education and training	Nurses are required to have extensive education and training in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and other sciences, which enables them to provide high-quality patient care.
2	High Level of Individual Responsibility and Accountability	Members of a profession have a high level of individual responsibility and are accountable for their actions and decisions	Nurses have a high level of responsibility and accountability for the care they provide. They are responsible for ensuring that patients receive safe and effective care and are accountable for their actions and decisions.
3	Specialized Body of Knowledge	Professions have a specialized body of knowledge that is acquired through education and experience	Nursing has a specialized body of knowledge that is developed through education and clinical experience. This includes knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and patient care.
4	Evidence-Based Practice	Professions use evidence-based practices to provide high-quality services to clients or patients	Nursing is based on evidence-based practice, which involves using the best available evidence to guide clinical decision-making. This ensures that patients receive the most effective and appropriate care.
5	Public Service and Altruistic Activities	Professions are dedicated to public service and engage in altruistic activities	Nursing is a profession that is dedicated to public service and is focused on improving the health and well-being of patients. Nurses often engage in altruistic activities, such as providing care to underserved populations or volunteering in their communities.
6	Well-Organized and Strong Representation	Professions are well-organized and have strong representation through professional associations and advocacy groups	Nursing is a well-organized profession, with strong representation through professional associations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Trained Nurses Association Of India (TNAI). These organizations provide support and resources to nurses, and advocate for nursing practice and education.
7	Code of Ethics	Professions have a code of ethics that outlines expectations for professional behavior	Nursing has a code of ethics that outlines the expectations for professional behavior, including respect for patient autonomy, confidentiality, and commitment to lifelong learning. The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses provides guidance for ethical decision-making in nursing practice.
8	Competencies and Professional License	Professions require specific competencies and a professional license for practice	Nursing requires specific competencies for practice, such as knowledge of patient care, medication administration, and communication skills. Nurses must also be licensed by their state nursing board in order to practice.
9	High Degree of Autonomy and Independent Practice	Members of a profession have a high degree of autonomy and engage in independent practice	Nurses have a high degree of autonomy and are often responsible for making independent decisions about patient care. This requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently.
10	Strong Professional Identity and Commitment to the Development of the Profession	Members of a profession have a strong professional identity and are committed to the development and advancement of the profession	Nurses have a strong professional identity and are committed to the development and advancement of the nursing profession. This includes engaging in continuing education and professional development, as well as advocating for nursing practice and education.
11	Demonstration of Professional Competency and Possession of a Legally Recognized License	Members of a profession must demonstrate professional competency and possess a legally recognized license for practice	Nurses must demonstrate professional competency through education and clinical experience and must possess a legally recognized license in order to practice nursing. This ensures that patients receive safe and effective care from qualified professionals.

In summary, nursing meets all of the characteristics/criteria of a profession. Nursing is a specialized field of work that requires an extended education and training of its members. It has a theoretical body of knowledge leading to defined skills, abilities, and norms that are based on research and evidence-based practice. Nursing applies its body of knowledge in practical services that are vital to human and social welfare. Nurses provide a specific service that is not provided by other professions or occupations. Nursing practice is characterized by autonomy in decision-making and practice, and nurses are accountable for their own actions and decisions. Nursing has a code of ethics that guides ethical practice, and nurses are involved in research to advance nursing practice.