A profession is “a pursuit requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science.” A professional follows “an occupation as a means of livelihood or gain” or who is “engages in one of the learned professions.”
Professional Nursing Organizations
- The American Academy of Nursing
- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
- The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
- The American Nurses Association
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Public Health Association
- Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
- The National Council of State Boards of Nursing
- The National League for Nursing Accrediting
- The National League for Nursing
- National Student Nurses Association
- National Institute of Nursing Research
- Sigma Theta Tau International
- U. S. Public Health Service Nursing
Autonomy is the freedom to perform what you know, make independent clinical decisions, and act in the patient’s best interest.
Judgment. Given their training and education, professionals can use their review in determining the appropriate approach to their clients.
Independence. They can work individually and charge fees, or they can be part of an organization.
The ANA Code for Nurses defines professionalism as follows.
- The nurse gives services with respect for human dignity and the client’s uniqueness, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.
- The nurse safeguards the client’s right to privacy by judiciously protecting the information of a confidential nature.
- The nurse acts to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by any person’s incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice.
- The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions.
- The nurse maintains competence in nursing.
- The nurse exercises informed judgment and use individual competence and qualifications to seek consultation, accept responsibilities, and delegate nursing activities to others.
- The nurse participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession’s body of knowledge.
- The nurse participates in the profession’s efforts to implement and improve standards of nursing.
- The nurse participates in the profession’s efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to high-quality nursing care.
- The nurse participates in the profession’s effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and maintain nursing integrity.
- The nurse cooperates with members of the health professions and other citizens in promoting community and national efforts to meet the public’s health needs.
Nightingale Pledges
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession. I will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote me to the welfare of those committed to my care.
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