Nursing is a Profession
Whether or not nursing is a profession has been a topic of discussion for many years. In the US, a profession is distinguished based on the following criteria; requirement for a formal pathway for education, ability to practice autonomously, presence of a common culture, allegiance to a set of predefined code of ethics and a provision for knowledge expansion (Joel & Kelly, 2002).
Academic excellence is what defines a profession. Academic excellence in the nursing profession determines the ability of nurses to practice effectively. Nursing as a profession strives to maintain academic excellence through the presence of a rigorous formal pathway for nursing education and, after that, the presence of a professional body (the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)), which assesses the fundamental professional nursing skills of students. Other organizations that advocate for advancing nursing education and its overall scope are; the National League for Nursing (NLN), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Caring is one of the unique characteristics that distinguish nursing to be a caring profession. The foundation of Nursing and caring are lay on mutual understanding, connection, and unity, between the patient and the professional nurse. Fundamentally, approaches that are task-oriented challenge nurses to keep the aspect of care, which is the moral center of the nursing profession. Care in nursing is both an art and science through the application of scientific research, theoretical concepts, and conscious commitment to the art of caring for patients.
The professional responsibility of nurses is what makes nursing a profession. Professional responsibilities refer to moral and ethical obligations that govern the nursing profession. The responsibilities pertain to caring for patients, partnerships with other professionals in the medical field, together with the obligation to influence change in communities. The nursing license is revoked when responsibilities are violated in nursing.
In conclusion, nursing is a profession as it meets all that define a profession. That is the presence of formal nursing education, the autonomy of practice, shared culture, and values present among nurses and allegiance to a set of predefined codes of ethics.