Introduction
Professionalization is an important feature of in-service employment, and it is reflected in the vocabulary of a wide range of job groupings. Different interpretations and dynamic elements of professionalization result in a variety of definitions with various natures and functions (Ghadirian, Salsali & Cheraghi, 2014). Professionals are those who must adapt to a certain profession and have scientific knowledge based on expertise, a sense of responsibility, a high intellectual level in performance, a high education, and a passion in developing philanthropy, self-direction, and learning. Independence, self-determination, self-regulation, accountability, altruism, and sacrifice are also characteristics of professional ideals (Walton, Chute & Ball, 2011). This essay explores the characteristics associated with nursing profession.
Method
A literature review method was adopted with an aim of exploring the characteristics of nursing profession. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were included in the study. Articles older than 7 years were excluded from the study. Databases such as CINAHL, Medline, and Pubmed were employed to search for relevant articles related to characteristics of nursing profession. Key search terms used to locate articles include "nursing" "nursing profession" and "characteristics". Initial search yielded five articles. The articles were further analyzed and only two were included in the final study.
Results
Existing literature demonstrate that values are ideals and beliefs that groups and individuals posses (Ghadirian, et al., 2014). To this effect, professional values are practical standards that create and develop a framework for assessment of ideas and attitudes influencing behavior in professional clinicians. The main characteristics of nursing professionalization are classified into three main groups, including personal-based attributes such as the flexibility in communicating with others, tolerance, ability to work with others, willingness to assist others, and the ability to comprehend the problems and feelings of others. Knowledge-based attributes include ability to research, scientific accuracy, and skills and knowledge.
Consequences of Nursing Professionalization
Consequences of nursing professionalization comprise of two components namely incompatible and compatible. Compatible consequences encompass increased recognition of patients, business retention, self-concept development, professional development, socialization, creating employment standards, non-occurrence of burnout, risk management and reduction of mistakes and accidents, development of training programs aimed at enhancing education efficiency, improvement of the professional power and authority to make decisions, satisfaction of agencies, clients, customers, and staff, as well as, improvement of patient care of quality( Ghadirian et al., 2014).
Phases of Training to Professional Nurse Education
Ghadirian et al. (2014) suggested five phases of training to professional nurse education. They include creating a practical fake identity of a professional nurse in education, trial and error, the seriousness of the conduct, transferring to the bedside and professionalization. Some existing studies suggest that specific training courses such as professionalization, research, or ethics should be included in the professional training program in nursing.
Discussion
Borrowing from Walton et al. (2011), characteristic of a profession encompass code of ethics, autonomy, service, body of knowledge, and education. Nurses offer services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient unrestricted by considerations of the nature of health problems, personal attributes, economic, and social status. As argued out by Ghadirian et al. (2014), nurses safeguard the patient's right to privacy by judiciously safeguarding information of a confidential nature and act to protect the patient and the public when safety and health care are affected by illegal, unethical, and incompetent practice of any person. Moreover, nurses assume accountability and responsibility for individual nursing actions and judgments. They also maintain competency in nursing (Walton et al., 2011). Nurses also employ individual qualification and competency as well as informed judgment as criteria in delegating nursing activities to others, accepting responsibility, and in seeking consultation. Nurses also participate in a broad range of activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession's body of knowledge and take part in the profession's effort to improve and implement standards of nursing. As argued out by Ghadirian et al. (2014), nurses participate in the profession's effort to establish and sustain conditions of employment conducive to high-quality nursing care and also take part in the profession's effort to safeguard the public from misrepresentation and misinformation as well as to maintain the integrity of nursing. The also collaborate with other citizens and members of the health profession in promoting national and community efforts to meet the health needs of the public. In general, the functions and roles of the nurse include a teacher, a communicator, a comforter, a rehabilitator, a case manager, a patient advocate, a clinical decision maker, and a care giver.
Conclusion
There are a broad range of characteristics associated with nursing profession. The functions and roles of the nurse include a teacher, a communicator, a comforter, a rehabilitator, a case manager, a patient advocate, a clinical decision maker, and a care giver. The core attributes of nursing professionalization are classified into three main groups, including personal-based attributes such as the flexibility in communicating with others, tolerance, ability to work with others, willingness to assist others, and the ability to comprehend the problems and feelings of others. Knowledge-based attributes include ability to research, scientific accuracy, and skills and knowledge.
References
Ghadirian, F., Salsali, M., & Cheraghi, M.A.(2014). Nursing professionalism: An evolutionary
concept analysis. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 19(1), 1-10.
Walton J., Chute, E., & Ball, L. (2011). Negotiating the role of the Professional Nurse: The
pedagogy of Simulation: A grounded theory study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 27, 299-310.
