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.

08/09/14
Nursing as an Art, Science &
Profession 2
ObjectivesObjectives
Discuss 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)
08/09/14
Nursing as an Art, Science &
Profession 3
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)
08/09/14
Nursing as an art, Science &
Profession 4

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).
08/09/14
Profession 5

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.
08/09/14
Profession 6

08/09/14
Profession 7
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
08/09/14
Profession 8

08/09/14
Profession 9
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.

08/09/14
Profession 10
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.

08/09/14
Profession 11
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.
08/09/14
Profession 12

08/09/14
Profession 13
General Criteria for ProfessionGeneral Criteria for Profession
A 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.

08/09/14
Profession 14
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.

08/09/14
Profession 15
Unique Service to other HumansUnique Service to other Humans
Virginia Henderson’s Definition of
Nursing was confirmed this status.
Person-centered practice.
Nursing delivers a unique service
to the society.

08/09/14
Profession 16
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.

08/09/14
Profession 17
Control of Standards forControl of Standards for
PracticePractice
A ‘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.

08/09/14
Profession 18
Responsibility & AccountabilityResponsibility & Accountability
Accountability 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.

08/09/14
Profession 19
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.

08/09/14
Profession 20
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.

08/09/14
Profession 21
Additional CriteriaAdditional Criteria
An active and solid professional
organization.
Recognized social worth and
contribution.

Professions vs. OccupationsProfessions vs. Occupations
Professions
 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

08/09/14
Profession 23
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

08/09/14 Concepts in Nursing - 10 25
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 nurses
The 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.

09/08/14 Proposal presentation 29

Nursing art, science & profession 1

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Nursing art, science & profession 1

Nursing art, science & profession 1