The Eight Characteristics of Nursing Professionalism

The Eight Characteristics of Nursing Professionalism
The eight characteristics of nursing professionalism compiled by Lucie Kelly, RN, are (Black, 2020):
1 The services provided by nurses are essential to humanity and society’s welfare.
2 There is a special body of knowledge that grows continuously through research.
3 The services involve intellectual activities, and being individually responsible (accountable) is a powerful feature.
4 Practitioners receive education in higher learning institutions.
5 Practitioners have some degree of autonomy; they are somewhat independent and in charge of their policies and activities.
6 Practitioners are motivated by service to others (altruism) and consider their work a vital aspect of their lives.
7 A professional code of ethics guides practitioners’ decisions and conduct.
8 There is an organization/ association that encourages and supports high practice standards.
On the one hand, the purpose of Nursing's Social Policy Statement is to establish the obligations of the nursing profession to those receiving nursing care as well as to serve as a framework for the relationship between the nursing profession and society (Black, 2020). On the other hand, the purpose of the Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice is to provide guidelines for best practices and activ...