XXXXX
Nursing XXXX
Professor XXXXX
XXXXX, 2012
Abstract
Professionalism is a dynamic combination of several aspects of nursing. I think that the cores of nursing professionalism is caring and serving. This article examines the concept of professionalism in nursing along with my personal decision to enter this field. I got into the nursing profession because I wanted to help people and be able to advocate for their needs. Through my experience, I realize that nursing is a profession, not just a job. The article by LaSala and Nelson supports that nursing professionalism encompasses more than just professional appearance and should be considered in a variety of different settings, including the job interview and professional presentations. The article examines Susan Fetzer’s article on professionalism in associate degree nurses and how that professionalism is acquired. Finally, the article looks back in time and explores Florence Nightingale’s theory of environmental nursing and how it has affected the nursing profession.
Nursing Professionalism Nursing professionalism is a hard term to define. I believe that nurse professionalism describes the skills, attitudes, values and behaviors common to and expected from practicing nurses. Because there are so many aspects to professionalism, it can be difficult for any nurse, whether novice or expert, to constantly achieve professionalism. I think the most important aspects of professionalism are caring and serving. Although this may not seem like “professional” attributes, I believe that the concepts of caring and serving define our field. There is nothing more un-professional or distasteful than a nurse that obviously does not care or serve for his or her patient, but rather, just does the bare minimum.
I also believe that nurses need to understand that there is a healthy balance that needs to be present when talking with the patients. Nurses are in a perfect position