Are we "semi-professionals"

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

My views might incite some controversy...

When the public thinks of educated professionals, an image of someone who wears a uniform and punches a time clock does not come to mind. The typical bedside nurse works nontraditional shift work, wears uniforms, punches a time clock, and lacks control over his/her work environment.

The people who are considered educated professionals by the general public (e.g. physicians, attorneys, engineers, accountants, executives, teachers, computer scientists, dentists) generally don't clock in and out, wear whatever attire they want, work during daylight hours, and exert a great degree of control over their working conditions. I haven't met a bedside nurse who can choose to take a two-hour lunch because she has a dental appointment at 1:30pm.

In addition, not every nurse has a college education. I personally entered nursing as an LVN with 12 months of trade school training. I earned my ASN degree via the trade school route. I earned my BSN degree earlier this year via distance learning and now have professional certification in my specialty.

I consider nursing an emerging profession. I know some people may disagree with my opinions. However, these are my thoughts. Take them with a grain of salt or use them as you wish.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Nov 26, 2015

What the heck kind of survey was it?!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

One more thought...I found a link that describes the 10 fundamental elements of a profession. Nursing falls short on a couple of the elements. Namely, the typical nurse cannot pick and choose or turn away his/her 'clients.' Our 'clients' can refuse us, but we cannot refuse them.

Also, bedside nurses will have patients, a.k.a. 'clients,' without the need to attract them.

Members of a profession exercise discrimination in choosing clients rather than simply accepting any interested party as a customer (as merchants do).

a professional is one who must attract clients and profits due to the merits of his work.

Design Professionalism: Definition - What is a Profession?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

I'm proud of my job, but don't consider it "professional" ...at least not in the traditional sense of the word.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

we sure as h%%^& aren't treated as professionals.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 26, 2015

When we as a group cannot even come to an agreement on the minimum education needed for entry to practice, we can only dream of being taken seriously as a 'profession'.

VANurse2010 · Nov 26, 2015

When we as a group cannot even come to an agreement on the minimum education needed for entry to practice, we can only dream of being taken seriously as a 'profession'.

Eh, this has been an issue in other fields in the past, and that didn't stop them from being viewed as "professional"

I don't really know why nurses are so obsessed with others' perceptions in the first place. Uniformed people who punch a clock and deal in bodily fluids are not professionals regardless of their education.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

Eh, this has been an issue in other fields in the past, and that didn't stop them from being viewed as "professional"
I don't really know why nurses are so obsessed with others' perceptions in the first place. Uniformed people who punch a clock and deal in bodily fluids are not professionals regardless of their education.

Punching a clock, wearing uniforms, and dealing in bodily fluids are not descriptive of a nurses's responsibilities.

I can calculate intravenous drips to mcg/kg/ minute and titrate it to keep a patient alive.

Sounds pretty professional.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

I don't know if teachers would be considered professionals? Professors, sure. But I would lump most nurses with police, teachers, etc.

Farawyn · Nov 26, 2015

I don't know if teachers would be considered professionals? Professors, sure. But I would lump most nurses with police, teachers, etc.

Police are civil service.

Susie2310 · Nov 26, 2015

Many educated professionals do not work as employees and instead work as independent contractors. My accountant is in private practice; my physician is not an employee; my dentist is in private practice; lawyers I have seen have been partners in their firm or in private practice; a friend who is a computer scientist was an independent contractor; my sister is married to an executive who although not in independent practice is an executive director of his firm. The majority of nurses, no matter how degreed, certified, or experienced, work as employees, not independent contractors; that is the main reason nurses do not have control of their work environment, and is why some people consider nurses semi-professionals.