Nursing as a Profession

Criteria of a Profession

• Nursing is gaining recognition as a profession
• A profession is an occupation that requires extensive education and special knowledge, skill, and preparation
• Professions differ from other occupations by having prolonged specialized training to acquire knowledge for the role
• Professions have an orientation towards service to the community or organization
• Professions include ongoing research and a code of ethics
• Professions have autonomy and a professional organization

Specialized Education for Nursing

• Specialized education for nursing has shifted toward programs in colleges and universities
• In the United States, five means of entry into registered nursing exist: hospital diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, and doctoral degree
• Nursing is establishing a well-defined body of knowledge and expertise
• Nursing theories and conceptual frameworks contribute to the knowledge base and direct nursing practice, education, and ongoing research

Service Orientation in Nursing

• Nursing is differentiated from other occupations, as it is primarily focused on service to others
• Altruism, or selfless concern for others, is the hallmark of nursing
• Nursing service must follow codes of ethics and policies
• Nursing plays a significant role within the healthcare delivery system

Ongoing Research in Nursing

• Nursing research has contributed to nursing practice across different periods
• Research in the 1940s was at an early stage of development
• Research funding increased in the 1950s, which helped establish centers for nursing research
• Studies in the 1960s focused on the nature of the nursing knowledge base and the practice
• Post-70's research focused on practice-related issues

Autonomy in Nursing

• A profession is autonomous if it regulates itself and sets standards for its members
• Autonomy is a key purpose of professional associations for practitioners
• Autonomy in nursing translates to independence at work, responsibility, and accountability for one's actions, achieved best from a position of authority

Professional Organization in Nursing

• Professional organizations are needed to differentiate professions from occupations
• Governance is the act of setting up structures and procedures to maintain the social, political, and economic arrangements of a professional group
• Professional organizations are vital for nurses to oversee their practice, ensure proper self-discipline, and manage their professional affairs
• The Philippine Nurses Association is the professional organization in the Philippines; it aims to promote the well-being of Filipino nurses and prepare them for global competitiveness
• The association was established in 1922, by Anastacia Giron-Tupas, with headquarters in Manila

Professional Identity Formation

• Professional identity is influenced by the characteristics, norms, and values of the nursing discipline
• Professional identity formation begins during one's nursing education
• Professional identity is defined as a sense of oneself as a nurse, including individual thinking, acting, and feeling like a nurse
• The term professional identity is replacing terms such as professional role and professionalism
• Benner's stages of skill acquisition (novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert) explain the development of professional expertise

Caring for Self and Others in Nursing

• Nurses enter the workforce driven by their willingness to care for others
• Self-care is essential for nurses to maintain personal health and professional growth
• Self-care is crucial to continue providing care and prevents stress, exhaustion, and fatigue
• Neglecting self-care can impact performance and decision-making

What is Self-Care?

• Self-care is defined as "what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness"
• Caring for oneself allows nurses to deal with the emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion of their careers
• Self-care reduces stress and improves the ability to provide quality care

The Hidden Challenges of Caregiving

• Caregivers face unique challenges like emotional strain, isolation, and neglecting personal needs
• Emotional strain results from the constant support of others' needs, leading to anxiety, sadness, and frustration.
• Caregiving often leads to feelings of isolation and depression due to the feeling of being alone in one's responsibilities
• Caregivers often prioritize the needs of others at the expense of their health and well-being

The Importance of Self-Care

• Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for caregivers to be well-equipped to provide support to others
• Engaging in self-care activities reduces stress and improves overall mood
• Self-care is essential to prevent burnout and exhaustion in caregiving situations
• Self-care enhances resilience, which in turn increases ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving
• Self-care improves relationships by enabling caregivers to be present and engaged with others

Self-Care Promotes Safety and Higher-Quality Care

• Self-care is important in fostering empathy and kindness towards others, as well as improving communication
• Practicing self-care strengthens the ability to empathize with patients, families, and colleagues, leading to a deeper understanding of their needs
• Self-care helps to regulate emotions and avoid becoming overwhelmed by distressing emotions from caring for others

Early History of Nursing in the Philippines

• The early beliefs about health and illness in the Philippines were influenced by mysticism and superstitions
• The cause of illness was attributed to other people or evil spirits
• In early times, Filipinos were careful not to offend spirits for reasons of health
• Special gods of healing and medicine men, called "word doctors" or "herbolarios," were sought for their traditional remedies

Early Care of the Sick in the Philippines

• Early Filipinos adhered to superstitious beliefs and practices related to health and illness
• "Herb men" or "herbicheros" practiced a form of witchcraft
• Sickness without an obvious cause was believed to be caused by those who engaged in witchcraft, termed "mangkukulam" or "manggagaway"
• Difficult births and illnesses were connected, often attributed to "nunos" and midwives were sought out for assistance
• In case of difficult births, the support of a witch doctor was sought

Health Care During the Spanish Regime

• Nursing during the Spanish Regime centered around basic care like nutrition, wound care, and caring for sick family members
• Babaylan (priest physicians) or albularyo (herb doctors) may have provided interventions for those who were sick
• Male nurses during that time were recognized as assistants to Spanish Friars, helping care for sick individuals in hospitals

Nursing During the Philippine Revolution

• Filipino nurses played a critical role in assisting those wounded during the war between Philippines and Spain
• This involvement led to the development of the Philippine Red Cross

Notable Filipino Nurses During the Revolution

• Josephine Bracken, wife of Jose Rizal, set up a field hospital
• Rosa Sevilla de Alvero converted her house to quarters for Filipino soldiers
• Dona Hilaria de Aguinaldo, wife of Emilio Aguinaldo, established the Hijas de la Revolución
• Dona Maria Agoncillo de Aguinaldo provided nursing care to soldiers and served as president of the Filipino Red Cross branch
• Kapitan Salome, a revolutionary leader, provided care to the wounded soldiers in the field, when not actively in combat
• Melchora Aquino, known as "Tandang Sora," offered aid and shelter to wounded Filipino soldiers, providing them with food.
• Agueda Kahabagan and Trinidad Tecson, both revolutionary leaders in Laguna and Biak-na-Bato, offered nursing services to soldiers

Hospital School of Nursing's Formal Training (1901-1911)

• The first hospital in the Philippines that trained Filipino nurses was the Iloilo Mission Hospital
• The hospital, which was established by Baptist Missionaries, had no strict requirements for applicants
• The enactment of the Pensionado Act of 1903 allowed Filipino nursing students to study in the United States

The Start of Nursing Practice (1911–1921)

• Act No. 2493 amended the Medical Law, allowing for the regulation of nursing practice, and allowing for the registration of graduate nurses under the Bureau of Health
• Act No. 2808 established the Board of Examiners for Nurses in 1919
• The first nursing board examination was administered in 1920, with a physician as the first executive officer

June 19, 1953

• Republic Act No. 877, also known as the Philippine Nursing Law, established the Board of Examiners for Nurses, mandating requirements for licensing and regulating the practice of nursing in the Philippines
• This included requirements for examination, registration, refusal, revocation, and suspension of certificates, and the prohibition of nursing practice without a valid certificate

October 17, 1958 and June 22, 1973

• Proclamation No. 539 designated the last week of October as Nurses' Week
• Presidential Decree No. 223 created The Professional Regulation Commission and defined its powers and functions

October 21, 2002

• Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as the "Philippine Nursing Act of 1991," established the Board of Examiners for Nurses, as well as regulated the practice of nursing in the Philippines
• The act aimed for more responsive nursing, creating more standardized requirements and expectations for nursing professionals