NURSING FOUNDATIONS

I – B.Sc (N)
Introduction
As each decade passes nursing seems to become increasingly sensitive to health care
needs, increasingly creative in meeting these needs, and more objective in analyzing its
professional efforts and goals.
Nursing is a dynamic profession and its practice is constantly changing. It is one of the
helping professions, with a long and honorable tradition of service to humanity.
Definitions of Nursing
Florence Nightingale defined nursing over 100 years ago as “the act of utilizing the
environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery”. (Nightingale, 1860). Nightingale
considered a clean, well – ventilated, and quiet environment essential for recovery. Often
considered the first nurse theorist, Nightingale raised the status of nursing through education
Virginia Henderson was one of the first modern nurses to define nursing. She wrote,
“The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well in the performance of
those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that would perform
unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge, and to do this in such a way as to
help him gain independence as rapidly as possible”
Characteristics of a profession
What is Profession?
"A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of
which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite
compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain".
Nursing as a Profession
Nursing is gaining recognition as a profession. Profession has been defined as an
3 occupation that requires extensive education or a calling that requires a special knowledge, skill
and preparation.
A profession is generally differs from other kinds of occupation by

Nursing Foundation | Nursing as a Profession

 a. Its requirement of prolonged, specialized training to acquire a body of knowledge
pertinent to the role to be performed.
b. An orientation of the individual towards service , either to a community or to an
organization.
c. Ongoing research.
d. Code of ethics.
e. Autonomy
f. Professional organization
Nursing professionalism owes much to the influence of Florence Nightingale.
Professionalization is the process of becoming professional, that is of acquiring characteristics
considered to be professional.
1. Specialized Education
It is an important aspect of professional status. Many nursing education believe that the
undergraduate nursing curriculum should include liberal arts, education in addition to the
biologic and social sciences and the nursing discipline.
In United States today, there are five means of entry into registered nursing, hospital
diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree.
2. Body of Knowledge
As a profession nursing is establishing a well defined body of knowledge and expertise.
A number of nursing conceptual frameworks contribute to the knowledge base of nursing
and give direction to nursing practice, education, and nursing research.
3. Service Orientation
A service orientation differentiates nursing from an occupation pursued primarily for
profit. Many consider altruism (selfless concern for others) the hallmark of q profession.

3 4. Ongoing Research
Increasing research in nursing is contributing practice. In the 1940s nursing research was
at a very early stage of development. In the 1950s increased federal funding and

Nursing Foundation | Nursing as a Profession

 professional support helped establish centers for nursing research. Most research was
directed to the study of nursing education. Since 11970s nursing research has focused on
practice related issues.
5. Code of Ethics
Nurses have traditionally placed a high value on the worth and dignity of others. The
nursing profession requires integrity of its members, that is, a member is expected to do
what is considered right regardless of personal contact. Nursing has developed its own
codes of ethics and in most instances has set up means to monitor the professional
behavior of its members.
6. Autonomy
A profession is autonomous if it regulates and sets standards for its members. Providing
autonomy is one of the purposes of a professional association. If nursing is to have
professional status it must function autonomously in the formation of policy and in
control of its activity. To be autonomous, a professional group must be granted legal
authority to define the scope of its practice, describe its particular functions and roles,
and to determine its goals and responsibilities in delivery of its services.
To practioner’s of nursing, autonomy means independence at work, responsibility and
accountability for one’s action.
7. Professional Organization
Operates under the umbrella of a professional organization differentiates profession from
an occupation
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a professional organization that “advances
the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the
economic and general welfare of nurses in the work place, projecting a positive and

3 realistic view of nursing.

Nursing Foundation | Nursing as a Profession