top 5 reasons that

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2002

Pretty standard stuff, just off the top of my head:

Unique and definable body of knowledge

Specific Code of Ethics

Supports ongoing research both qualitative and quantitative to validate practice and exand knowledge base

Evolving practice standards that define adequate from substandard practice

When practice is theory or model based, practice that is coherent, consistent, contemporary, creative, logical, defensible, and based on critical thinking.

WntrMute2 · Sep 18, 2002

Great response but you forgot a couple of things that are in conflict with being a profession. 1) Most of us are not salaried. That is frequently a strike againts profesionalism. 2) You punch a clock and show up where you are assigned, take the patients assigned. You cannot just leave and say i'll finish this over the weekend. having CHOICE about your daily tasks is frequently part of the definition of profession. 3) You can be fired at will (except for unionized nurses, which I happen to believe in).. Again, a strike for nurses being labor instead of proffessionals. Not bad, just i think we are a funny combination of the two.

N2B8 · Sep 24, 2002

1) It is a way of life, . . . not merely a job.

2) It requires a knowledge base and demands continuous education.

3) It is privilidged in that you impact people's lives in a profound way.

4) Just think what a profession it would be if the two million plus nurses in this country would unify. . . .

5) Responsibility

N2B8

SCB · Sep 25, 2002

N2B8,

I would love to see the largest number of professionals representing health care unite. Nursing would be very powerful.