Pathway to Professionalism Nursing

Nursing is often referred to as young profession. However, for decades, professionalism in Nursing has been subjected to discussion among nurse, other health care professionals and the society.  Generally, in the eyes of layman, nursing seems to be limited to just bedside care and so the image of professionalism in nursing has not been established properly in health care environment or in society. However, as career opportunities in nursing have grown people are realizing the importance of the nursing profession. Therefore, professionalism in nursing is the need of the hour. 

We can distinguish between a profession and an occupation as follows

Occupation	Profession
Training on the job.	Education takes place in Colleges / Universities
Length of training is varied.	Education is lengthy.
Work is largely manual.	Work involves mental creativity.
Decision making is largely by experience or by trial and error.	Decision making is based largely on science/ theoretical constructs.
Values, beliefs and ethics are not prominent features of preparation.	Values, beliefs and ethics are an integral part of preparation.
Workers are supervised.	Workers are autonomous.
Commitment and personal identification vary.	Commitment and personal identification are strong.
People often change their jobs.	People are unlikely to change their jobs.
Material reward is main motivation.	Commitment transcends material rewards.
Accountability rests prominently with employer.	Accountability rests with individual.

Professionalism in Nursing

            The Nursing profession began with human beings genuine desire to serve and care for other humans, combined with a sense of compassion and commitment. To be nurse is a calling. Nurses stay by the side of the people serving through their worst times and celebrate with patients and families in the best times. To be called a nurse is an honor.  Nursing is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world in terms of the services offered and job satisfaction derived.

What is Professionalism?

Professionalism is the level of excellence or competence that is expected of a professional. It is believing passionately in what you do, never compromising the standard and values and caring about the people you serve and you career. Professionalism in nursing adds tremendous value and worth to the nursing profession.

Professionalism in nursing are set of rules, works ethics, ideologies, work principles and dedication towards the service of community that gives an identity to the profession. In trust sense professionalism in nursing is more of an attitude of nurses towards the nursing profession that keep patients or clients above any other  external factors and being sincerely committed to take adequate patient care.