Definition of a Profession
An occupation that requires extensive education or calling that requires special
knowledge, skills and preparation.
Professionalism refers to professional character, spirit or methods. It is a set of attributes,
a way of life that implies responsibility and commitment.
Professionalization is the process of becoming professional, acquiring characteristics
considered to be professional.
Criteria of a Profession
Requirement of a prolonged, specialized training to acquire a body of knowledge
pertinent to the role to be performed.
Orientation of the individual toward service in the community or to an organization.
Ongoing research contributing to nursing practice.
Autonomy means independence of work, responsibility and accountability for one’s
actions.
A professional organization. The nursing profession requires integrity of its members, a
member is expected to do what is considered right regardless of the personal cost. (Code
of Ethics to monitor the professional behavior of its members).
Professional Organization
The ANA and the PNA is a professional organization that “advances the nursing profession by
fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace,
projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory
agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.”
Factors Influencing Contemporary Nursing Practice
Health Care Reform
Health care delivery’s focus has shifted from acute care to primary preventive care and
treatment of chronic conditions using health care teams and information technology.
Leading change, advancing Health:
1) nurses practicing to the fullest extent of their skills and knowledge
2) nurses achieving higher levels of education
3) nurses being full partners with physicians and other and other health care
professionals
4) improving data collection and an information in infrastructure.
Quality and Safety in Health Care
6 Core Competencies needed to improve 21st century Health Care:
1) patient-centered care
2) teamwork and collaboration
3) evidence-based practice
4) quality improvement
5) safety and
6) informatics
Consumer demands
1)The public’s concept of health is that health is a right of all people, not just a
privilege of the rich.
2) Individuals must assume responsibility for their own health by obtaining a physical
examination regularly, checking for the nine danger signals of cancer
3) maintaining their mental well-being by balancing work and recreation.
4) people want energy, vitality and a feeling of wellness.
Family structure
Support services such as day care centers, preventive immunizations/vaccines.
Science and Technology
New drug therapies to prolong life.
Use of sophisticated computerized equipment to monitor or treat patients.
Nurses require increasing education to provide effective, safe nursing
practice.
Information, Telehealth and Telenursing
Internet sources of information for clients and their families.
Telehealth is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via
electronic communications to improve the patient’s health status.
Telemedicine is often associated with direct client clinical services, whereas telehealth is
a broader definition of remote health care services.
Telenursing is the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide
nursing practice at a distance.
Definitions of Nursing
Florence Nightingale defined nursing as “the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to
assist him in his recovery.” Nightingale considered a clean, well-ventilated and quiet
environment essential for recovery.
Virginia Henderson defined nursing as “assisting the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death)
that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge and to do
this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible”.
Nursing refers to the “diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential
health problems” (American Nurses Association).
Definition of Terms
Terms Meaning
1. DIAGNOSIS – identified HEALTH PROBLEM OR NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Types of Health Problems:
1. Actual – problem is present “NOW”
2. Potential – problem is not yet present, but may arise in the
“FUTURE” if not prevented
Example: Ineffective Airway Clearance
Hyperthermia – fever
2. TREATMEN – refers to NURSING INTERVENTIONS
T – ACTIONS done by the nurse to help the patient
TYPES OF NURSING INTERVENTIONS:
A. Independent Nursing Intervention
Done only by the nurse
1. Check vital signs
2. Assist patient in mobility
3. Health teaching
B. Dependent Nursing Intervention
done by nurse + doctor (needs a doctor’s order)
1. Giving oral medication
2. Giving medicines by IM route
3. Providing oxygen to patient
C. Interdependent Nursing
intervention Different referral system
done by all members of a. Diet of patient Nutritionist
the health care team
(nurse + doctor laboratory
science technician +
nutritionist + others
b. Preparation of patient OR
team
d. Preparation for x-ray
Radiology Department
c. Laboratory investigation
Laboratory Science Department
3. Human – Refers to a REACTION TO A Types of Reactions:
responses DISEASE
1. Physical
2. Psycho-emotional
3. Spiritual
4. Intellectual
WHO IS A NURSE?
A. Etymology: comes from the Latin word “NUTRIRE” – which means to NOURISH
B. Definition:
1. One who CARES for the sick, the injured, physically, psychologically disturbed
2. A MEMBER OF THE HEALTH TEAM who cares for individuals, families and
communities
Individuals Families
Communities
3. A PROFESSIONAL – One who has completed a program of basic nursing
education and who is qualified to practice nursing in her country (LICENSE)
SCOPE OF NURSING PRACTICE:
1. Promoting health and wellness
Activities and behavior that enhance quality of life
Examples:
YES to healthy lifestyles:
Good food
Good rest and sleep
Good environment
NO to…
(a) Smoking
(b) Alcohol and drug misuse
2. Preventing Illness
Activities that stop diseases from happening
Example:
Immunization - vaccination
Prenatal and infant care
3. Restoring Health
Focuses on early detection of disease and helping patient during the recovery period
Example: Administering medication (as ordered)
Teaching about recovery activities (ex. Exercise, diet)
4. Caring for the Dying
Caring for people of all ages who are dying
Example: Giving comfort
ROLES & FUNCTIONS OF THE NURSE
ROLE DESCRIPTION
1. CAREGIVER Provides care and comfort like a mother. (physical,
psychosocial, developmental, cultural and spiritual levels.)
Full care
Partial care
Supportive-educative care
2. TEACHER Provides information on patient’s health care needs.
Assess client’s learning needs and readiness to learn, sets
specific learning goals to restore or maintain their health.
Teach personnel to whom they delegate care and share
their expertise with other nurses.
3. COUNSELOR o Listens carefully to patient’s problems
o Assists & guides patient to solve problems
4. CHANGE AGENT o Assists clients to make modifications in their
behavior.
5. CLIENT ADVOCATE o Protects patient’s rights.
o Makes sure that patient’s needs are met
6. LEADER Influences others to work together to accomplish goals of
treatment for patient.
7. MANAGER Works as supervisor of nursing personnel.
Delegates nursing activities to other nurses.
8. RESEARCHER Investigates problems to improve nursing practice.
Use research to improve client care.
9. CASE MANAGER Works with multidisciplinary health care team to measure
the effectiveness of the case management plan and to
monitor outcomes.
EXPANDED ROLES OF NURSES
1. Nurse A nurse that has advanced expertise in special areas
Specialist 1. ICU (Intensive Care Unit)
2. NICU (Neonatal Care Unit
3. Hemodialysis
4. OR (Operating Room)
2. Nurse Certified by governing body to practice independently
practitioner Should have a master’s degree
3. Nurse clinician Certified by governing body to practice independently
May or may not have a master’s degree
4. Nurse Investigates nursing problems to improve nursing care and expand
researcher nursing knowledge.
5. Nurse Manages client care and delivery of nursing services.
administrator Budgeting, staffing and planning programs.
6. Nurse Employed in nursing programs, at educational institutions and in
educator hospital staff education.
7. Nurse Manages a health-related business.
entrepreneur
8. Forensic nurse Provides specialized care for individuals who are victims or
perpetrators of trauma.
9. Nurse Administer anesthetics for surgery under the supervision of an
anesthetist anesthesiologist; assess postop status of clients.
10. Nurse midwife Manage deliveries in normal pregnancies , conduct PAP smear and
breast exam.
CRITERIA/CHARACTERISTICS OF A NURSING PROFESSION
Nursing is S-A-C-H-A.
1. S…science
2. A…art
3. C…caring
4. H…holistic
5. A…adaptive
QUALITIES OF A NURSE
1. Good personal clean looking
appearance wears appropriate uniform
2. Honest tells the truth (do not lie)
Ethical principle of veracity
3. Loyal faithful
4. Trustworthy dependable
5. Helpful assists patients
6. Respectful for others treats people well (or fairly)
7. Professional skilled, competent
