...The nursing profession has metamorphosed from a primitive unorganised practice in ancient times, to the mostly autonomous, essential profession that is prevalent in countries worldwide. It has undergone tremendous changes in response to societal needs and due to its dynamic component, will continue to change ever so often in order to effectively produce service to society (Berman, Snyder, Kozier & Erb, 2008). The importance of nursing stemmed from the traditional female role as mother, wife, sister and daughter. As Berman et al (2008) posit, in these offices, females were naturally expected to be caregivers and nurturers both for their family members and the individuals in the community. The care these females provided was generally related to comfort and maintaining the physical health of the individuals within their care. Hence the historical beginnings of nursing has shaped the humanistic, altruistic, comforting and supporting roles that nurses have undertaken in today’s society. From a Caribbean perspective, nursing has cemented its importance in our afro-centric society due to the essential care giving role of the ‘nanas’, who were elderly slave women, on the plantation. Swaby (2005) asserts that these women were “...one of the best disposed and trustworthy women on the estate” whose responsibility was but not limited to “keeping the plantation hospital and the sick in it, to clean and prepare such foods as were prescribed”. Although this form of health care was somewhat...
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...Nursing is one of the few professions with vast opportunities for growth and advancement Opportunities abound in both the clinical tract and the management tract of nursing. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the advancement opportunities one has as a professional nurse with a bachelor of science ( BSN) degree. In the Clinical tract, we see nurses moving up the ladder through advancement in education. Most nurses started as Nurses Aid or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A number of nurses advanced by obtaining an Associate of Nursing Degree (ADN), and subsequently passed the state board of nursing exam to become a registered nurse. (Carter, 2012). As frontline RN, you are inclined to confront real life and death issues; be it resuscitating a patient in the unit or providing care for terminally ill patients. You acquire experience and become very comfortable with patient care in the clinical setting. However, the quest for more knowledge and the belief that we can do better, motivates an individual to pursue higher education like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Masters of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN). These undertakings allow for the exploration of other opportunities in the clinical setting as well as the management setting. (Donley & Fiaherty,, 2008). Some of the opportunities in the clinical tract include Unit Nurse Educator, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and Clinical Nurse Specialist just to mention...
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...Nursing as a Profession From the dawn of time nursing has existed, in one form or another. Because healthcare varies between cultures, nurses have historically taken on many different roles: a folk healer, a healer with religious ties, and that of a servant (Ellis & Hartley, 2012). Because of these various roles, some may not realize, or accept, that nursing has evolved into a much needed profession. This essay will discuss what a profession is, the criteria needed to be present in order to be considered a profession, and the reasons why nursing should be considered a profession. Criteria of a Profession In order to understand why I consider nursing a profession, you must first understand the meaning of the word. There are many varied definitions of the word profession. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines profession as a noun meaning “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation” (n.d.). Harkreader, Hogan, and Thobaben build on the previous core definition by including five criteria: “provides an essential service to society, has a theoretical body of knowledge, requires relative independence in decision making in practice, requires specialized education, and has a code of ethics for behavior of its members” (p.2, 2007). Examples of how nursing meets each of these criteria of a profession are listed below. Provides an Essential Service to Society. Nurses provide a service that is unable to be substituted by any...
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...people to hold a newborn baby, and they’re the support when you lose a loved one. Nursing is more than a profession and that is why I want to be a nurse. My personal experiences, the experiences of my loved ones, and the nature of the profession are why I want to be a nurse. The first time that I remember encountering a nurse was a particularly memorable one. My grandma has had terminal cancer for as long as I can remember. As a child I would spend all summer at her house on the lake and among the memories of baking in the sun and playing in the sand I can vividly remember the nurse who cared for her. Every two weeks she would receive a treatment administered by a nurse who came to her house. While my older sister Rebecca had no interest, I was always so captivated by what she was doing and stayed by her side for the entire time. Placing the IV into a “port” as my grandma called it (a catheter located near the collarbone), using the machine, the equipment and all of the tools were so fascinating to me. Aside from what she did medically, it was really the way she treated my grandma that made such an impact on me. My Grandma is still living with cancer; she recently claimed that nurses are her guardian angels, and emphasized that without them she would not have been able to deal with hospitals and doctors. My grandma and her experiences have had such a huge impact on my decision to go into nursing. As a little kid, when most kids wanted to be superheroes and princesses, I...
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...Transforming the Nursing Profession The transformation of the nursing profession is dependent upon formal education, evidence based nursing practice, and providing strong leadership roles at all levels of the health care system. The nursing education encourages lifelong learning that includes seamless academic progression (Robert Wood Foundation, 2010). The nursing practice incorporates both standards of practice and professional accountability. Strong leadership focuses on safety and quality of care to realize the vision of transformed health care. (Robert Wood Foundation, 2010). All of these are equally important to produce a highly qualified nursing workforce that provides value based quality care and takes the leadership role in transforming the nursing profession. Transforming Education – The Impact of the IOM Report on Nursing Education: The current nursing workforce involves different levels of education and training like licensed vocational nurse (LVN), associate degree, diploma, and bachelor’s degree. This leads to confusion and inconsistency in care. “Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression” (Robert Wood Foundation, 2010). The purpose of the nursing education is to meet diverse cultural patient’s needs, take the leadership role in the health care system, and use evidence based knowledge to provide cost effective quality care. The nursing profession is dynamic in nature...
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...The Future of the Nursing Profession The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report of 2010 addresses the future of the health care system in the aspects of nursing education, practice, and leadership. It speaks about the current limitations and barriers nurses are facing in the advancement of the health care system and the direction and changes that need to be implemented. The IOM report has great influence on the nursing profession, and with its suggestions helps navigate the health care system in a path for great success and growth. The IOM report states that “Major changes in the U.S health care system and practice environment will require equally profound changes in the education of nurses both before and after they receive their licenses.” (IOM, 2011, p.163) Registered nurses are going to need to be educated in areas greater than just the acute care setting. With this evolving health care system, nurses need a greater emphasis on public and community health to deliver care for the more complex education needs of the public in aspects of managing illnesses, preventing acute care episodes, and prevent disease progression. Many students, especially those in ADN programs, are not being educated enough with the required competencies needed to transition in this evolving health care system. (IOM, 2011) ADN programs, such as those offered at community colleges, are becoming more attractive to those with limited financial resources and time constraints related to personal responsibilities...
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... Prospects of the Nursing Profession Jenifer S McFarlane Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V June 10, 2012 In 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) came together to collaborate and develop a constructive plan for the nursing profession moving forward in the coming age of affordable care for all U.S. citizens. Both parties agreed that available, excellent care could not be attained without exceptional nursing practice and leadership. The report establishes that achieving a successful health care system in the future rests on the future of the nursing profession. The IOM and RWJF (2011) stated, “We believe that preparation of an expanded workforce, necessary to serve the millions who will now have access to health insurance for the first time, will require changes in nursing scopes of practice, advances in the education of nurses across all levels, improvements in the practice of nursing across the continuum of care, transformation in the utilization of nurses across settings, and leadership at all levels so nurses can be deployed effectively and appropriately as partners in the health care team.” In order to make the required advancements to the health care system in the coming years, it will be necessary to make changes to the variety of nursing degree programs presently available. Increasing the capacity of nursing schools is necessary in order to expand the nursing workforce overall. Nursing curriculum needs to...
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...Developing the Nursing Profession Marbella Cotto Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V November 16, 2014 Developing the Nursing Profession In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. With the ACA, America has the opportunity to transform its healthcare system to one that is more affordable, more accessible, qualitative, and patient centered. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an independent organization that gives unbiased and authoritative advice to government and private sectors (IOM, 2011). In February 2011, they partnered with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and released “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health”. This report discusses recommendations on how nursing can evolve in order to make the changes the ACA offers. With the nursing profession being the biggest section of the healthcare force it has to continue to make improvements to keep up with the complex and rapidly growing demands of the healthcare system (IOM, 2011). This paper will discuss the impact that this IOM report has on recommendations for nursing practice, education and leadership. Nurses are at the front line of patient care in many settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, homes, clinics, community health centers and even battle fields. “Nursing practice covers a broad continuum from health promotion, to disease prevention, to coordination of care, to cure- when possible- and to palliative care when cure in not possible” (IOM, 2011). Nurses...
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...According to Black (2014, p.54) "professions usually evolved from occupations that originally consisted of tasks but developed more specialized educational pathways and publicly legitimized status”. I think that profession and occupation have similar meanings but they also differ slightly. A profession is a job that a person has they specifically studied for or went to college to study. A profession requires extensive training and specialized knowledge. An occupation however is a current job that is obtained that is not related to career goals. People that have an occupation are not paid for their knowledge but the work they produce. An occupation is what people work in order to just make money. “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.” (ANA, 2004, p. 4) Nursing is a science, in that it is based on knowledge and principles which are classified and verified. Applied science is a science put into concrete practice. Nursing is the application of many sciences: dietetics, hygiene, pedagogy, sociology, bacteriology, etc. Nursing is a profession, for it is based on a body of organized and tested knowledge, it requires social service, it is not a commercial basis, it does not permit trade and personal advertising, it is capable of...
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...Being in a nursing profession, I believe that nurses should join in an organization that gives them a voice in the community as well as in the legislative body of the country. I am a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the local Vermont State Nurses Association (VSNA). The ANA not only become the voices of nurses in the country, but also provides continuing professional development for nurses and keeping them involved, informed, and up-to-date of the current nursing practice (ANA, 2016). Aside from that, these organizations offer opportunities to network with colleagues through local and national meetings, seminars, and social media. Since I became a member of these organizations last December, I have taken advantage of the...
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...The transformation of nursing Julien Augustin Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamic NRS-430v Mrs. Hathcock May 03, 2014 The transformation of nursing The institute of medicine has major impact on nursing profession today, because the world is changing the characteristic of everything for modern technology to healthcare system. In 2011, the United States has reformed the health system to improve the health outcome of all individuals. This reformation may affect especially nursing profession, the biggest portion of the health care workforce ( ̎ IOM REPORT, ̎ 2011). As a result of the healthcare reform, that was released in October 5th, 2010. Recommended that “ nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training to improve higher education and reassure wide opportunities for nursing to grow and assuming leadership collaborative in full partnership with others in health care professionals to improve the quality of care” ( IOM REPORT 2011, Pag. 1). According to the IOM, “nursing is the largest section of the nation’s health care workforce”, nurses play very important role by being front lines of the patient care and helping identifying vital objectives point in the 2010 health care law (IOM REPORT, October 5th , 2010). In 1965, since the birth of the nation’s health care which are Medicare and Medicaid program, the major change that has been in placed was the affordable Care Act (ACA) that was introduced in 2010. This program was designed to provide...
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...Professional Nursing Accountability: Our Ethical Responsibility Ralaya L. Allen R.N. Grand Canyon University: Professional Dynamics 08/27/11 Professional Nursing Accountability: Our Ethical Responsibility In healthcare, accountability can be regarded as a responsibility as well as a legal obligation. Patients have the right to be treated by well educated professional personnel such as doctors, nurses, and ancillary staff. Without accountability, there would not be consequences for unfavorable actions taken on the behalf of the patient. It is reverent in the physicians oath “do no harm"; this is a fundamental truth in all healthcare practices. Professional Nursing Nurses have both an ethical and moral responsibility to their patients. According the American Nurses Association, "Ethics is central to the way we care, and to the way we envision ourselves as professionals..."(2011, p.1). A nurse’s moral responsibility is based from their own personal conviction of doing what is right for the patient. Legal Obligation Today, healthcare regulations are governed by laws. All medical professionals are required to obtain and uphold adequate licensure and provide patient care per the current laws. The nursing licensure is dictated by the State Board of Nursing. In Nevada, completion certification must be presented to the State Board of Nursing from a state approved nursing program. The student must also pass a full background investigation, as well as also pass the...
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...The Nursing profession has changed dramatically over the years. Being a Nurse in the 1900s as compared to being a nurse today is a lot different. Those people who wanted to become nurses had to get their education from the hospital operating room; as compared today where Nursing students get high quality education from Universities, Private Colleges, Community Colleges, Hospitals, and many other different communities that offer nursing education. Nurses back then were also not able to use advanced medical equipments since health care technology has advanced in many different aspect of the nursing profession. Back in the 1900s, the duties and working environment of Nurses were much different. They mainly performed work in the hospitals as superintendents and as private duty nurses. They performed duties that nurses today have never attempted, like administering leeches and boiling water to sanitize needles, sutures, and to keep equipment sanitary. In the mid 1900s, Nurses had to sharpened their needles on an average of two days a week, compare to now; needles are disposable and cannot be reused. The medical supplies back then are limited and sometimes there are no supplies at all for nurses to take care of patients. Nurses back then only earned about 50 cents per hour while working 10-12 hour shift on an average of 7 days a week. While they were working; they were also on their training as a nursing student, which was the actual...
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...Communication in the Nursing Profession Important? Meia BrownCM/107Kaplan University Communication in the nursing professional is complicated process and the possibility of sending or receiving incorrect messages frequently exists. It is essential that we know the key components of the communication process, how to improve our skills, and the potential problems that exist with errors in communication. Good communication skills should be considered a basic requirement for any person irrespective of the profession the person is engaged in. Communication helps a person to relate well with the people he is interacting with. The nursing profession is not an exception since a nurse should use good communication skills to be able to relate well with the patients. A nurse deals with different kinds of patients each suffering from different types of ailments. As a result, the nurse should be able to approach each of the patients differently. This means that, a nurse should have great communication skills. I believe good communication when I become a Medical Assistant, will help me relate well with my patients. Bearing in mind that I deal with different patients suffering from different ailments, some more serious than others, I have to use my great communication to know how to pass whichever information I have across. Sick people need encouragement in life and for this reason, I use my good conversationalist aspect to show my politeness and that I care about them (Nursing Times.Net...
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...globally as a key vehicle for communication. Since the technology era began, it has played a major role in how people view certain events, races, professions, culture etc. The media is one of the most powerful forces out there, and it can put people together and pull apart as we can see in the ongoing presidential race. Nurses have had images ranging from the Angel of mercy to the sexual stereotype sometimes portrayed in works of fiction. The media portrayal on nurses has many negative impacts on the public’s image of nursing. About 70-80% of medical movies seen characterized nurses as a sexual object rather than professionals. After the media have created these images of nurses, people of the world began to keep the image in their mind and grew bias. Today, most medical dramas are physician dominated shows, offering viewers little to no truth about nursing profession. Shows like, ER, Grey’s Anatomy and House are three well-liked medical shows with a large audience. On most of the show, nurses are barely even a background noise, sometimes, they walk on and off the screen, dressed in tight fitted scrubs and holding clipboards contributing nothing to the care, meanwhile nurses are the largest group of health care professional providing direct patient care in hospital, and the quality of care is strongly linked to the performance of nursing staff but the popular media today reflects just the opposite. The invisibility of nurses on hospital dramas sends the wrong message to viewers...
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