Professionalism vs Academic Nursing Preparation

As this is my final post to this blog, I'd like to give some final thoughts regarding professionalism vs academic nursing preparation. As a baccalaureate prepared Registered Nurse currently finishing up a Master's degree program in Nursing Leadership and Administration, I believe that the entry level into professional nursing practice should be at the baccalaureate degree level. I can say this without prejudice because I also began my own journey into nursing at the associate degree level. In saying this, I firmly believe that professionalism is learned and acquired both in the classroom as well as on the job. As an associate degree nurse, I always felt as if I were missing out on some thought processes that went beyond academic preparation alone. I could almost feel the differences, and I wanted to know why those differences existed and what exactly those differences were. Through my own personal journey, I have realized that professional nursing is a unique blend of education, caring, science, and a continued understanding of humanity.

  An excellent example of how education in nursing can lead to improved professionalsim in practice can be seen at the Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare system in Memphis, Tennessee. This is a wonderful article that discusses profesional career paths for nurses, the need for continued education in the nursing field and the opportunities afforded professional nurses today.

Nursing is becoming more and more recognized as a unique profession because of continued importance being placed on the professional nursing practice environment of nurses.

Nursing should be viewed as a unique profession and not simply in the mode of caregiver only.  Nursing is a vital profession that has a strong foundation in human caring, and science that should be held in the highest regard by ourselves and by other healthcare professionals if we are to once and for all be accepted for our unique contributions to healthcare for humanity.

Thanks so much for you interest in this blog.
Becki  

Professionalism Verses Academic Nursing Preparation

In order to understand professionalism within the practice of nursing, we need to understand the roots of nursing. Where have we evolved from? Do we understand our past, present and where we are headed as a profession in the future? The following video from the ANA examines this question.

There is so much we can learn from our past and such dignity within the profession of nursing, that to brush it aside because of non-uniformity in education would do all nurses a disservice. As I have blogged before, the ANA must continue to work with nurses at the associate and baccalaureate degree levels in order to once and for all create the most competent, and uniform entry level into professional nursing practice. Here is yet another interesting breakdown of the differences in the associate verses baccalaureate degree levels of entry into nursing.

Another thought to consider.......................

What about the associate degree nurse looking to advance herself within the profession by entering an RN-BSN program? What unique qualities do these programs have to entice the associate degree nurse on her own professional journey?

                                                                    

  

 

Professionalism Verses Academic Nursing Preparation

The controversy is ongoing as the profession of nursing continues to struggle with an ultimate decision regarding the uniform entry level into practice. Will nurses come together and make the decision, or will it be decided for us by other professional groups within the healthcare industry?

As both practicing and student nurses, nursing as a profession is embraced by us all in one way or another. We are a dedicated, and caring profession, and advocate for our patients and our healthcare facilities. Academic nursing preparation that is consistent still continues to elude us. What counts is that we are asking the tough questions and struggling with the answers. We will get there. I am one nurse who has faith.  

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Professionalism vs Academic Nursing Preparation

What is professionalism in nursing? Is professionalism related to academic nursing preparation and if so, what should the academic preparation be?

Is professionalism more embedded into the psyche of a nurse prepared at the baccalaureate verses the associate degree level, or is professionalism learned on the job and during the course of a nursing career? Maybe it is a combination of both.

The American Nurses' Association 1965 landmark article actually discusses the need for uniformity in nursing education and that the academic preparation should be at the 4 year baccalaureate level.

Take a few minutes to reflect on your own career in nursing and how you feel that professionalism developed and what factors contributed to that development.