Professionalism in nursing refers to the behaviors, actions, and choices nurses make every day. Professional behaviors strengthen the nursing profession and include qualities such as compassion, ethics, communication and continued learning. These qualities help nurses grow personally and professionally and ensure patients receive the best care.
Nurses are committed to their patients’ well-being, as evidenced by the high-quality education and practical experience they receive in nursing school. One key component in providing quality and dignified patient care is the demonstration of professionalism in nursing. This widely recognized nursing quality is one of the reasons why nurses have been at the top of Gallup’s list of most trusted professions for over two decades.
Before entering a nursing career, nursing students must consider the importance of upholding the standards of professionalism in nursing. Rest assured that starting your career with the accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) program at Harding University allows you to learn first-hand how to become a professional nurse from highly respected and skilled health care professionals.
So, what is professionalism in nursing, and why is professionalism important in health care? Below, we will discuss the answers to these questions and explore how a nursing education through Harding can equip you for a successful career.
What Is Professionalism in Nursing?
Professionalism in nursing describes several core nursing qualities that must be reflected in individual nurses and the health care profession. Part of belonging to a profession means having a clearly defined scope of practice and a set of professional standards.
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nursing scope of practice “describes the services that a qualified health professional is deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake – in keeping with the terms of their professional license.”
Registered nurses are also responsible for adhering to the Nursing Code of Ethics, which outlines their ethical and professional obligations in providing patient care.
Professional behaviors in nursing contribute to a long, successful nursing career and reflect a commitment to nursing excellence and continued personal and professional growth. Nurses demonstrate their commitment to professionalism in nursing with these key attributes:
Communication Skills
Nurses must frequently convey critical information clearly and effectively to their patients, family members, and care team members to ensure that all interested parties understand treatment plans, medical conditions and care instructions.
Communication skills are integral to the nursing profession. Learn why communication matters in nursing and the key skills needed to communicate effectively.
Active Listening
Nurses use open, respectful dialogue to build trust and rapport with patients, families, and health care colleagues, which is essential for a collaborative health care environment.
Empathy
By providing comfort and understanding during vulnerable times, nurses can connect with patients on an emotional level. This empathetic approach to care improves patient satisfaction and enhances the therapeutic relationship, contributing to better health outcomes.
Lifelong Learning
Nurses must remain committed to improving their knowledge and skillset by staying current with medical advancements and evidence-based best practices. This commitment to education ensures they can provide high-quality care while adapting to new challenges and innovations.
The Fundamentals of Professionalism in Nursing
Several characteristics of professionalism in nursing are not limited to health care professions but are, in fact, standard among other professional groups. The fundamentals of professionalism include:
- Integrity: Upholding honesty and strong moral principles in all professional actions and decisions.
- Compassion: Demonstrating empathy and concern for the suffering and well-being of patients.
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions in nursing care, ensuring patient safety and quality outcomes.
- Ethics: Adhering to moral and professional standards and guidelines outlining the professional behavior expected of nurses. Be sure you familiarize yourself with the AMA’s Code of Ethics.
- Respect: Valuing and honoring the dignity, rights and autonomy of oneself, patients and colleagues.
These fundamentals contribute to the profession’s overall respected status and are integral in providing quality and safe patient care. Centering these fundamentals in your nursing practice will inform how you demonstrate the professional qualities listed above, such as how you communicate with others and commit to lifelong learning.
Benefits of Promoting Professional Behaviors in Nursing
Professional behaviors of nurses not only reflect on the nursing profession but also answer the question, “Why is professionalism important in health care?” Here are just a few of the benefits of professional behaviors in nursing.
Positive Workplace Environment
Nursing professionalism enhances the workplace by fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and high standards of patient care. This leads to improved patient outcomes and job satisfaction among nurses. Job satisfaction was among the top 5 factors associated with positive nursing professionalism.
Better Patient Care and Outcomes
As mentioned earlier, nurses who exemplify professionalism often have higher job satisfaction, which has been shown to affect patient care and health outcomes. In one study of 110 Army treatment facilities, positive nurse attitudes were linked to a higher perceived quality of care by patients and fewer adverse events.
Enhanced Personal and Professional Growth
The combination of better work environments and patient outcomes fosters personal and professional growth for nurses. Nurses with strong self-discipline, ethical standards and a commitment to continuous learning benefit from enhanced self-esteem and personal fulfillment. Professionally, nurses who demonstrate high-quality patient care and skilled collaboration with the health care team enjoy expanded opportunities for career advancement.
Developing a Culture of Professionalism
When devoting your career to professionalism in nursing, you might encounter some challenges. For example, you may have questions about a care plan and require clarification from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
You may also encounter challenges with family members with different goals than you or your patient, requiring you to maintain professionalism and demonstrate compassionate communication.
Navigating these challenges as they arise requires you to maintain a professional mindset and enact essential professional qualities.
You can employ several strategies to continue growing your professionalism and meet professional challenges. Joining a professional organization such as the ANA or the National Student Nurses’ Association in your state allows you to observe professional behaviors in nursing and provide role models to emulate.
Seeking out learning opportunities or mentorship engagements also demonstrates your commitment to the nursing profession. Use your time in nursing clinicals to ask questions, learn from professional nurses and develop vital nursing professional skills, such as:
- Conflict Resolution: Conflicts can arise between health care staff, patients and families. Learn how to mediate professionally when appropriate and find reasonable solutions.
- Leadership: Whether you have a leadership role or not, knowing how to lead is critical in nursing. Learn how to collaborate, motivate others and provide educational resources.
- Adaptability: The nursing profession keeps you on your toes. Knowing how to pivot and adapt to new circumstances allows you to become a more proactive professional.
- Critical Thinking: Health care professions require strong critical thinking skills. As a nurse, you must be skilled at making decisions based on all available evidence.
Clinical rotations are your first chance to experience what it is like to work as a professional nurse. Learn all about nursing clinicals here.
Nursing Professionalism: Throughout the Nursing Journey
Some professional nursing skills come naturally, such as compassion and empathy, while others are cultivated over time and must be practiced, such as active listening, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Through effective communication, genuine empathy and a dedication to ongoing education, nurses continue to demonstrate the best professional behaviors in nursing and uphold the highest standards of nursing.
Harding's ABSN program fosters professionalism in nursing with strong core values, preparing nursing students to begin their careers with a solid foundation of ethical practice. If you have at least 64 college credits from an accredited institution, you may meet the ABSN admissions requirements. Through a combination of online coursework, in-person labs and clinical rotations, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as few as 16 months.
Contact an admissions counselor today to learn if the ABSN program at Harding University is right for you.