What does it mean to be a professional nurse?

Headnote

Te be truly professional, nurses must always act in a way that fosters trust and respect among patients, colleagues and the public.

As autonomous practitioners, nurses are answerable and responsible for the outcome of their professional actions."1 This includes, but is not limited to, nurses being accountable for all their actions at all times, showing integrity, having advanced communication skills, providing holistic care, being prudent by using discretion, and showing common sense.1

This seems to imply nurses must be paragons of virtue and "super nurses". However, nurses must practise in a way that models professionalism for all to see, including their peers, patients and the community. It is critical the nursing profession maintains the trust and respect of the entire community so it can carry out the work health care requires and maintain patient safety.

Within nursing there appears, at times, to be a lack of knowledge about professional practice and what it means. The word "professionalism" implies both expert knowledge of nursing practice, as well as high standards of ethics and behaviour towards both patients and colleagues. Accepting the title of "nurse" and "professional" does not automatically mean nurses will behave professionally. Nurses need to work at improving their practice and behaviour throughout their careers.

Professionalism is also related to how a nurse portrays him/herself at all times, whether "on duty" or not. It can be defined as individuals being expected to display competent and skilful behaviours aligned with their profession. So, being professional, then,...