A Profession vs Trade article

[clemmm78]

It's been mentioned here before and the word "profession" comes up a lot. So, what do you think after reading this? I think the last paragraph says a lot:

Is Nursing a Profession or a Trade? - Nursing Link

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

I've always regarded myself as a professional; as the article states, nursing fills the criteria of being recognized as a profession . I think the question is less "is nursing a trade or a profession" than it is "are artisans entitled to be called professionals". In all fairness, they too fulfill the criteria, especially in the light of the constant technical advances being made; they too have to constantly maintain their body of knowledge or fall behind.

Frankly, I can't be bothered with the constant debate around the issue of 'professionalism". Nurses provide an essential service and deserve respect on that basis if no other. Anyone disrespects me, I disrespect back; except for patients. One of them disrespects me, I just get totally, clinically professional!

[diamondmeadows, BSN, RN]

That is ridiculous. Fortunately, it's not what the article said.

The article said that in some settings RNs are being phased out, and this is true, but in only a couple of settings. MD offices come to mind.

Yes, but if you read the article and didn't have previous knowledge of nursing, I don't think that's what you would gather from the article. She says that RNs are being "phased out in some places." Regarding LPNs, she says that they do the same work as RNs, and doesn't mention anything about them being phased out of many areas. If I had only read this article, I would think that being an LPN offered more employment opportunities, which doesn't seem to be the case for most graduates.