Nursing art, science & profession 1

Nursing as an Art, Nursing as an Art, Science & Science & ProfessionProfession

B. Sunil S. De Silva, B. Sunil S. De Silva, RN, BScN (OUSL), MScN (Res)(Australia)

Dpt. of Health Sciences,Dpt. of Health Sciences,The Open University of Sri Lanka.The Open University of Sri Lanka.

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ObjectivesObjectivesDiscuss what is art & science of nursing.

Explain the general criteria for professions.

Discuss the importance of nursing associations.

Identify where are we & where do we want to go…

Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale(1820-1910)(1820-1910)

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The originator and founder of modern nursing & nursing education.

What is nursing?What is nursing?No single definition even by nurses

themselves.

Early definition: the nurse is a person who nourishes, look after and protect a person who is prepared to care for the sick, injured and aged.

Put the patient in the best possible condition for nature to act upon him (Nightingale, 1860)

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What is nursing?...What is nursing?...The unique function of the nurse is to

assist the individual, sick or well, contributing to health or its recovery (or to a peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge and to do this in such way as to help to him gain independence as soon as possible (Henderson, 1966, P. 3).


Nursing as an ‘Art’Nursing as an ‘Art’What is an Art;

◦composed of skills that require expertise and proficiency for their competent education.

◦It is the creative use of knowledge in service to others.



Nursing as an ‘Art’…Nursing as an ‘Art’…Oldest of art & youngest of science.

Originally nursing considered as an ‘art’.

◦Called ‘born nurses’ (natural / untaught).

Art improved by practice.

Need little education as nurses only carry out doctors orders.

Nursing as a ‘Science’Nursing as a ‘Science’

What is a Science?

◦It requires systemized knowledge derived from observation, critical thinking, study and research.

◦It is a body of knowledge based on scientific research and analysis



Nursing as a ‘Science’…Nursing as a ‘Science’…Gradually, as the body of scientific

knowledge grew, nurses aware of the basic principles for practice.

These principles summarized as ‘procedures’ but never tested.

Nursing borrowed its ‘science’ from other disciplines.

What was unique to nursing? – Leeds to develop nursing theories by nursing scholars.


The Art & Science of NursingThe Art & Science of Nursing

Nursing scholars has already proved the art & science of nursing.

◦ The art has long been accepted.

◦ The science has been recognized recently.


Nursing as a ProfessionNursing as a Profession

Do you think nursing is a profession?

Should nursing be considered as a profession?

Nursing as a Profession…Nursing as a Profession…

A profession is defined as a occupation or vocation, especially one that involves some branch of advanced learning or science. The essence of professionalism is both having a unique or special knowledge and the self-imposed obligation/duty to serve the community.



General Criteria for ProfessionGeneral Criteria for ProfessionA body of knowledge on which skills &

services are based.

Deliver unique service to other humans.

Colleges & University based education.

Control of standards for practice.

Responsibility & accountability of members their own actions.

Career commitment by members.

Independent function.


A Body of KnowledgeA Body of Knowledge

Knowledge from other disciplines.

Develop own body of knowledge & its own theories.

Both used for the practice of nursing.


Unique Service to other Unique Service to other HumansHumans

Virginia Henderson’s Definition of Nursing was confirmed this status.

Person-centered practice.

Nursing delivers a unique service to the society.


University Based EducationUniversity Based Education

Present trend of promoting University based education internationally as well as locally.

BScN will be the basic qualification to enter to Nursing Profession.


Control of Standards for Control of Standards for PracticePracticeA ‘standard’ is an authoritative or

criterion to judge ‘Quality of practice’

Developed by Professional Nursing Organizations. E.g.; certified / licensed / registered.

To get ‘licensed’ or ‘registered’ as a nurse, they need to meet the standards of professional organization. E.g.; ANA, CNA, ICN.


Responsibility & AccountabilityResponsibility & AccountabilityAccountability means assuming

responsibility for your actions & accepting the end results of your behavior.

A code of ethics essentials to a profession

Need to accountable;◦Patient◦Health care colleagues◦Hospital or your field◦Yourself.


Career CommitmentCareer Commitment

A Career is major life work, a long-term commitment, involves long term planning and requires long training or education.

Is nursing a career?◦More women.◦No intention of continuing work or education.


Independent FunctionIndependent Function

Dependent◦Carried out the orders of the doctors

Independent◦Nurse initiates a/c own knowledge & skills

Collaborative◦Activities performed either jointly or a result of joint decision.


Additional CriteriaAdditional Criteria

An active and solid professional organization.

Recognized social worth and contribution.

Professions vs. OccupationsProfessions vs. OccupationsProfessions

College or University Prolonged education Mental creativity Decisions based on science

or theoretical constructs Values, beliefs & ethics

integral part of preparation Strong commitment Autonomous Unlikely to change

professions Commitment > $ reward Individual accountability

Occupations

On the job training Length varies Largely manual work Guided decision making

Values, beliefs & ethics not part of preparation

Commitment may vary Supervised Often change jobs

Motivated by $ reward Employer is primarily

accountable


Can we conclude that nursing is a profession?

Nursing as a Profession: Status TodayNursing as a Profession: Status Today

1. Theory

2. Social Values

3. Education

4. Motivation

5. Autonomy

6. Commitment

7. Community

8. Code of Ethics

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Forces affecting health care & Forces affecting health care & nursing practicenursing practice

Increased technology.

Increasing number of age people.

Increased focus on PHC.

Improvement & expansion of community health nursing.

Increased education for nurses.


Increased education for nursesIncreased education for nursesThe development of nursing as a profession

requires improved education for nurses.

The trend is BScN as the minimum education for nurses to practice.

Sri Lankan nurses need to move to keep up with the world-wide changes in nursing.

In future, more than ever, nurses will need to solid university education, assertiveness, technical competence,& ability to deal with rapid change.


As Nurses…As Nurses…The future of nursing & educational

preparation of nurses must be directed by nurses. To do this nurses must increase their political power by organizing & supporting a professional organization.

If the millions of nurses in a thousand different places, articulate the same idea & convictions/beliefs….& come together as one force, then they could act as a power house for change.


As a Sri Lankan RN……..As a Sri Lankan RN……..Where are you……..?

Where should you have to go……?

What is the global trend in nursing …..?

What happen to our nursing profession….?

◦Think about these and take your responsibility as a nurse to develop the future of nursing in Sri Lanka.

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