Islamic University of Gaza Faculty of Nursing Trends And Issues Ali Hassan Abu Ryala NURSING PROFESSION

NURSING PROFESSION Many nursing leaders believe that nursing established itself as a profession rather than being an occupation or a discipline. Acceptance as a profession allows nursing to have more knowledge, authority, and self governing. There are as yet no clear-cut answer to “Is nursing a profession” but as nursing continue to develop in it’s three primary areas (education, practice, and research) it more and more meets the criteria defining a profession.

NURSING PROFESSION…cont Over the years nurses developed many philosophies and definition of nursing. Nursing as a profession is a unique in that it addresses in humanistic and holistic responses of the individual clients and their families to actual or potential health problems. Expertise in nursing is the result of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice.

The Aims of Nursing The aim of Nursing is to:- Maintain and promote wellness, prevent illness, care for and rehabilitate the sick of disabled through the human science of nursing. Reduce stress. Provide comfort to the client during diseases process.

The Aims of Nursing…cont Provide service to individual families and societies. Work independently with other health workers assisting the client to gain independence as quickly as possible. Develop interaction between nurse and client. Focus on a man a living unity and man’s qualitative participation with experience.

Characteristics of Nursing Profession Well defined and well organized body of knowledge. Constantly enlarged body of knowledge improves techniques, used scientifically based. Entrusts education of practitioners (increase education).

Characteristics of Nursing Profession…cont Apply knowledge into practice. Function autonomously (comparison between nursing and medicine). Wanted as chosen occupation as life work. Provides freedom of action and opportunity for continues professional growth and economic security.

Steps of Professional Development Recognition of a problem by community Untrained personnel deal with problem, using skills and procedures to handle the problem. Theoretical body of knowledge basic to procedures is developed. Members continue to work together.

Steps of Professional Development…cont Professional interests or common interests are formed and developed. People pay for service. Codes and standards are developed. These codes concerned with formed rules and formal practice. Methods of enforcing standards are established.

Status of Profession People expect special person of this profession and high quality service. Professional should have high knowledge and high ideals. Professional will have high status in society.

Nursing is a Unique and Essential Public Service In the practice of nursing great emphases is placed on the acquisition of knowledge, application of scientific principals, and the development skills. When planning patient care, each nurse is expected by the public to use good common sense and mature judgment. Developing and implementing this plan requires nurse to function both dependant and independent role as follows:-

Dependant Function Independent Function

Dependant Function Dependant function of nursing is the traditional one of implementing the doctor’s order, but the major difference today lies in the interpretation of these orders. Nurse is not blind obedient servant for doctor, but must know (why) the medication or treatment is prescribed, (what) to observe, (how) to prevent unwanted reaction, and (when) intelligently intervene if reaction should occur.

Dependant Function…cont Nurse may have occasion to question the advisability of putting the doctor’s order into action. Questioning the physician order doesn’t mean that the nurse countermands the order. It means seeking clarification for safety of patient. If you deem an order written by the physician and administer it without thoughtful contemplation, you may cause harm to your patient. You -as a nurse or student nurse- are obliged to bring knowledge, skill competence to all aspects of patient care.

Independent Function The independent functions of nurse are related to three factors: The limitation as defined in the nurse practice act. The level of competence achieved as a nurse practitioner What is deemed prudent and safe nursing according to local regulation?

Example of Independent Functions Supervision of patients (as a whole) management care- bio psycho social and spiritual). Observation of symptoms and reactions (physical and mental). Accurate recording and reporting (facts and evaluation). Supervision of nursing personnel and coordination of others (contributions). Application of nursing procedures and techniques. Direction and education to secure physical and mental care for patient.

The Professional Nurse The role of professional nurse can be seen in:- Providing skilled nursing care in hospital and community, performing complex functions requiring specific skill and judgment (assessment, diagnoses, plan, implementation, and evaluation). Maintain collaborative relationship with the physician and other health workers and coordinating nursing care plan with medical care plan. Observing assessing and reporting effects of therapy making changes in nursing regime if indicates.

The Professional Nurse…cont Interpreting and demonstrating skills of nursing care to others requiring this service. Initiating changes in nursing care plan based on understanding of principals and assessment of advances in medical and social sciences. Recognizing and using health practice, utilizing opportunity to teach the patient and the family about health problem. Performing to the level of team leader at the beginning, and by experiences and higher education may progress to positions of administration, teaching, consultation and research.

The Professional Nurse…cont Recognizing the extent need of patient for personal counseling and maintaining a relation with him that provide support and security without losing him his identity and not violating his privacy. Participating with member of allied profession, other professionals and community groups in solving health problems of community. Understanding and fulfilling the historic role of nursing.

The Code for Professional Nurse The nurse provides service with respect for dignity of man, unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race creed, color, or status. The nurse safeguards individual’s right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of confidential nature, sharing only that information relevant to his care. The nurse maintains individual competence in nursing practice, recognizing and accepting responsibility for individual action and judgment.

The Code for Professional Nurse…cont The nurse acts to safeguard the patient when his care and safety are affected by incompetent, unethical, or illegal conduct of any person. The nurse uses individual competence as criterion in accepting delegated responsibility and assigning nursing activities to others. The nurse participates in research activities when assured that the rights of individual subjects are protected.

The Code for Professional Nurse…cont The nurse participates in the efforts of the profession to define and upgrade standards of nursing practice and education. The nurse participates in establishing and maintaining conditions of employment conductive to high quality nursing care. The nurse work with members of health professions and other citizens in promoting efforts to meet health needs of the public. The nurse refuses to give or imply endorsement to advertising, promoting, or sale for commercial products, services, or enterprises.

Thank you Abu Al Hassan