The Professional Nurse: Past. Present, and Future
While pondering what comprises a professional nurse, a few things come to mind. A professional nurse should have empathy, first and foremost. The professional nurse should also be knowledgeable since the profession has no room for error. She or he should be able to communicate with patients as well as other health care professionals. Lastly, but certainly not the least important characteristic of a professional nurse, is his or her dedication to the patient and to the profession. The Florence Nightingale Pledge for the professional nurse is as accurate today as when written in 1893. This paper will explain the characteristics of professional nursing, why developing a professional demeanor …show more content…
Many aspects of nursing have changed since this timeframe but the ideals of what a professional is have not changed. Much of this information is still pertinent today such as practicing faithfully the profession of nursing. This relates to being dedicated to the patient and the profession. The pledge addresses being committed to the welfare of the patient, which relates to empathy, and having knowledge to not administer any “harmful drug” relates to the knowledge needed for a professional nurse. The pledge also addresses holding in confidence personal matters, and aiding the physician, which relates to communication between the patient and other health professionals. No part of this pledge is outdated; every line applies to the standard of professional nursing then and today. One important role of the professional nurse is missing, an important role in todays society; cultural …show more content…
This information was not pertinent when the pledge was created. Todays society is much more diverse and the need for culturally competent care is on the rise, “Cultural competence is essential to close the disparities in healthcare because of the impact that culture and language have on patients ' beliefs about health, disease, and their causative behaviors” (Frederick, Marinelli, 2014). Nursing students must understand the culture of a patient to properly assist the patient with healing. If culture competence is not taught during the education process, it may not become a habit of the nursing student. Therefore, cultural competence is the present link in the Florence Nightingale Pledge, and in the nursing students daily education.
In conclusion, the Florence Nightingale Pledge is an accurate depiction of the past, present, and future of nursing with one key factor missing. The Florence Nightingale Pledge relates to the present nurses ideals of a professional including, empathy, knowledge, communication, and dedication, and should include cultural competence as well. If cultural competence were to be included in the Nightingale Pledge, the present state of nursing would be represented
While pondering what comprises a professional nurse, a few things come to mind. A professional nurse should have empathy, first and foremost. The professional nurse should also be knowledgeable since the profession has no room for error. She or he should be able to communicate with patients as well as other health care professionals. Lastly, but certainly not the least important characteristic of a professional nurse, is his or her dedication to the patient and to the profession. The Florence Nightingale Pledge for the professional nurse is as accurate today as when written in 1893. This paper will explain the characteristics of professional nursing, why developing a professional demeanor …show more content…
Many aspects of nursing have changed since this timeframe but the ideals of what a professional is have not changed. Much of this information is still pertinent today such as practicing faithfully the profession of nursing. This relates to being dedicated to the patient and the profession. The pledge addresses being committed to the welfare of the patient, which relates to empathy, and having knowledge to not administer any “harmful drug” relates to the knowledge needed for a professional nurse. The pledge also addresses holding in confidence personal matters, and aiding the physician, which relates to communication between the patient and other health professionals. No part of this pledge is outdated; every line applies to the standard of professional nursing then and today. One important role of the professional nurse is missing, an important role in todays society; cultural …show more content…
This information was not pertinent when the pledge was created. Todays society is much more diverse and the need for culturally competent care is on the rise, “Cultural competence is essential to close the disparities in healthcare because of the impact that culture and language have on patients ' beliefs about health, disease, and their causative behaviors” (Frederick, Marinelli, 2014). Nursing students must understand the culture of a patient to properly assist the patient with healing. If culture competence is not taught during the education process, it may not become a habit of the nursing student. Therefore, cultural competence is the present link in the Florence Nightingale Pledge, and in the nursing students daily education.
In conclusion, the Florence Nightingale Pledge is an accurate depiction of the past, present, and future of nursing with one key factor missing. The Florence Nightingale Pledge relates to the present nurses ideals of a professional including, empathy, knowledge, communication, and dedication, and should include cultural competence as well. If cultural competence were to be included in the Nightingale Pledge, the present state of nursing would be represented