reflection

Peer response:

Nursing is generally viewed as a profession rather than an occupation. An occupation can be classified as a source of income that does not require specialized training, such as a waiter or retail sales associate. A profession requires specialized knowledge, self-governed education and training, autonomy, and more often than not, a license to perform (McEwen, 2023, p. 32). Nursing is not only considered a profession, but nurses are also expected to act with professionalism (Drevdahl et al., 2023, p. 100). Nurses are also required to continue their education to renew their license, adhere to a code of ethics, and maintain accreditation (Drevdahl et al., 2023, p. 100).

Therefore, in addition to professional development and further education, nurses can engage in many activities to elevate the status of nursing as a profession. For example, nurses can join organizations to become more involved in developing policies or laws that directly affect the nursing field. This not only allows them to be part of the decision-making but also increases their recognition of expertise in the healthcare field. This is important considering nurses have historically been viewed as a subsidiary or ancillary part of medicine rather than leaders (McEwen, 2023, p. 32).

In addition, though it has increased over the years, nurses can actively affect how evidence-based practices (EBP) are implemented into their daily routine. Nurses often perform their responsibilities through tradition and view them as checklists. However, using up-to-date research and participating in quality improvement groups, they can be viewed more credibly and professionally by both patients and other healthcare members.

References

Drevdahl, D. J., & Canales, M. K. (2025). Understanding Nursing Backwards: The Evolution of Nursing as a Profession. Journal of Nursing Education, 64(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20241004-0

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2023). Theoretical basis for nursing (Sixth edition). Wolters Kluwer.

Response to peer (RTP) due Wednesday, 5/20 at 11:59 PM EST (*150-300 words, not including the greeting, comments such as: I agree, I like what you said, etc., repeating what your peer wrote, or in-text citations). Reflect on key characteristics that differentiate nursing as a profession from nursing as an occupation. Other than professional development and higher education, discuss two activities that nurses can do to elevate the status of nursing as a profession.

RTP: requires one reference from an English-titled, peer-reviewed, scholarly nursing journal (less than 5 y/o). This article must be different from the one you (and your peer) used.

The journal articles must be related to nursing in the United States.

The maximum number of references allowed for DQs = 3.

Both postings are to be in APA format on the discussion board. In addition to posting to the discussion board, upload the IP as an APA formatted word document. APA format includes, but is not limited to, a running head, separate title and reference pages, pagination, in-text citations, and references. Be sure to include the page or paragraph number(s) you found the paraphrased info. on, in all in-text citations. 

 

Do not use direct quotes--paraphrase instead.

References must be obtained via the Broward College online library. Papers with references that are not retrievable by the professor through the Broward College online library, or that use non-course textbooks, will be graded zero (0).