Top 5 reasons" why is nursing a profession"

sjoe · Sep 18, 2002

It is a profession ONLY in the sense that big rig driving, for example, can be considered a profession.

finallyRN · Sep 18, 2002

Nursing is a "profession" because we have college degrees. (not true many years ago, but true today).

eltrip · Sep 18, 2002

I thought that a dictionary definition of the word was in order.

Profession

"SYLLABICATION: pro-fes-sion

PRONUNCIATION: pr-fshn

NOUN: 1a. An occupation or career: "One of the highest compliments a child can pay a parent is to choose his or her profession" (Joan Nathan, New York Times Book Review April 30, 1989). b. An occupation, such as law, medicine, or engineering, that requires considerable training and specialized study. c. The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field: members of the teaching profession. 2. An act or instance of professing; a declaration. 3. An avowal of faith or belief. 4. A faith or belief: believers of various professions.

I guess that it depends on which definition we choose to use: 1a or 1b.

CMERN · Oct 1, 2002

Well on the one hand we as R.N.'s are required a collegiate level education, and continuing education,and must have a registered Liscence for which we are tested and must pass to recieve. We are held accountable to a Board and Gverned by said board. We are directly involved in Life and Death of Human beings... On the other hand , we like garbage collectors, perform jobs that most HUMANS would flinch and flee .... .....( I guess tongue wagging isnt very PROFEESIONAL:D .....

susanmary · Oct 2, 2002

Facility just notified all nurses that we are now required to make up ANY weekend sick time. What other PROFESSION does that? I'm just so discouraged. So discouraged.

Youda · Oct 2, 2002

Nursing is a profession because we say so! :)

Hookers are "pros" afterall!

fergus51 · Oct 2, 2002

I was told a profession has to:

Have a unique body of knowledge (debatable with nursing)

Provide a service to the public

Competently apply their knowledge

Be self regulating

jemb · Oct 2, 2002

Add accountability to the list.

Coldfoot · Oct 2, 2002

Nursing is a profesion, (unlike paramedicine) because you have a central licencing system (NCLEX) that is widely recognized and have pretty uniform minimum standards with college requirements. Not to bag on Medics too hard, (I'm one) but we repeatedly shoot ourselves in the foot by not having these to things. :nono:

LasVegasRN · Oct 2, 2002

Originally posted by fergus51
I was told a profession has to:
Have a unique body of knowledge (debatable with nursing)
Provide a service to the public
Competently apply their knowledge
Be self regulating

Oh my God. I was looking at this and what Nurse Ratched said about hookers. The legal brothels here in Nevada would qualify for professional status! :imbar :confused: :stone

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 2, 2002

Self regulation and accountability are what I remember from nursing school- I beleive that being a profession has a legal definition- you're not a professional just because you say you are.