Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Nursing as a "profession"

Because my interview was postponed I will be writing about how nursing can gain “professional” status rather than writing a reflection for my interview. Four ways to achieve the professional status in nursing include, eliminating associate degree level programs, increasing power in nursing, joining organizations, and demonstrating the characteristics of a professional. In my nursing class, my professor said that in order for any career to be considered professional status it can only be achieved with the completion of a baccalaureate degree. Therefore, one way nursing can improve its professional status is to eliminate associate degree level nursing programs. In terms of Bono’s six hat theory baccalaureate degree nurses are prepared with all 6 aspects of critical thinking including how to make clinical decisions and professional judgment. Associate degree level nurses are not prepared, however, to deal reasonably and reflectively in situations without a definitive solution. Two years of schooling does not provide sufficient time to possibly learn all aspects of critical thinking effectively. For instance, these programs do not address the green or red hat in that students cannot make creative decisions based on sticky situations or make decisions based on emotions. Overall, the associate degree programs are ‘cookie cutter’ and do not offer the same decisions making skills as baccalaureate programs. Step two in attaining professional status requires increasing power by becoming a unified group of professionals through participating together in political activities while demonstrating accountability and professionalism is step two in achieving professional status. This power can by obtained easier by joining various nursing organizations. Specifically, the American Nurses Association (ANA) is a great network for nurses to join in order to make a difference. It is an extremely influential organization that is there to both help the nurses and the community. Furthermore, the characteristics of a professional must be demonstrated in order to be taken seriously. Some of these traits include high levels of responsibility, knowledge, autonomy, and organization. These characteristics must be exemplified in order to achieve the respect.

1 comment:

Sal said...

hey there just wanted to stop by and thank you for your comment you made about my presentation. I as well enjoyed yours.