Understanding and Implementing Professionalism in Nursing

Professionalism in Nursing There are many careers in which professionalism is important and nursing is one of those careers. There are many components that make up professionalism and there are different ways to display it in nursing. Values, both personal and career, define what is expected in the nursing occupation. It is important to understand the definition of professionalism and how to apply it to the workplace. To understand professionalism it is important to know and understand the definition of the word. It is defined as “the standing, practice, or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur ("Professionalism").” There are many ways professionalism is seen in nursing such as adhering to the code of ethics and continuing education (D. Hatteberg, class notes,

7).” However, it is not just a degree that makes a professional. It is a way of thinking and a way of acting. Characteristics of a professional nurse are autonomy, service, altruism and stewardship, leadership initiatives, integrity, accountability, respect and partnership, excellence and scholarship (see appendix). These concepts/characteristics are all connected, like pieces of a puzzle, and to be a professional it is important to strive to achieve these characteristics to complete the picture. To be a professional a nurse needs to be able to take control and be a leader and work well in a team. It is important to be accountable for mistakes and own up to it so it can be learned from. Excellence is a given in being a nursing professional. A nurse should strive to be and do the best that is possible, this is what separates the nurses that are there for the paycheck from the nurses that actually care about patient and doing a good job (D. Hatteberg, class notes, September 2015). Some of these concepts/characteristics are similar to the values that are important in