National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine is a nonprofit private business that provides objectiv
data intended to improve the health of society.
It emphasizes a scientific, evidence-based approach to issues that affect the wo
working collaboratively to discover solutions to health problems (National Academy o
Medicine, 2020a, pp. 1–2).
Defining a Profession
• The nursing profession is a highly specialized field in which knowledge and care
are constantly evolving. Nursing has been described as both an art and a science. Nur
utilize knowledge and skills that are based on scientific facts, while performing the art
caring with compassion, dignity, and intuition. Nurses work independently as well a
interprofessionally; they can act in the role of a preceptor or supervisor or be involved i
research. But most of all, the nurse provides care to the client and works in collaboratio
with the health care team to address the client’s needs.
The American Nurses Association has defined nursing in Nursing: Scope and
Standards of Practice, a document that provides a framework
Nursing is defined by the ANA as follows.
1. Protecting, promoting, and advancing clients’ health
2. Averting illness and injuries through health promotion
3. Using the nursing process to facilitate clients’ recovery from illness or injury
4. Minimizing or eliminating clients’ suffering
5. Advocating for the care and health of the client, family, or community
Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
A Nurse Practice Act is a legal and regulatory body that is created by, and applicable in
each individual state. It establishes common definitions, rules, and regulations to gui
the practice of a licensed nurse and thereby promote quality of care and safety wh
caring for a client.
The ANA’s Scope of Nursing Practice provides the nurse with a clear definition of the
complex and dynamic role of the nurse and the expectations of the nurse in that role. T
ANA’s Standards of Nursing Practice are explanatory statements that describe
competent level of care and professionalism that all nurses should achieve.
Code of Ethics for Nurses assists a nurse with ethical decision making, by incorporatin
the nurse’s value system, duty, obligation to the client, and call to uphold professiona
ideals.
, A nurse is obligated to practice not only within state rules and regulations, but also b
following specific policies and procedures within the direction of the facility where the
nurse is working.
A nurse through acquired knowledge, skills, and critical thinking determines the
appropriate nursing response based on the scope and standard of practice, rul
laws, regulations, and facility policies and procedures. Based on this self
determination and nursing identity, each individual nurse is responsible for his o
her own practice—for making these decisions and acting professionally within th
role as a nurse.
Interwoven throughout all levels of these regulations, laws, standards, and facilit
policies and procedures are principles of quality, evidence-based practice, an
safety, which are critical elements of every decision and action a nurse takes i
practice.
Historical Contributions
Florence Nightingale
Nightingale demonstrated what is now called evidence-based practice, by engaging in da
collection and reporting her findings. She connected unclean conditions to wound infectio
during the Crimean War (1853–1855) and observed that overall cleanliness and hand wash
between caring for soldiers reduced infection rates. Nightingale continued her legacy by start
some of the first schools of nursing.
Which of the following are Florence Nightingale’s contributions to nursing that are still use
today?
Evidence-based practice through her data collection, documentation, and reporting
findings connecting unclean conditions to infection. She observed that overall cleanline
and hand washing between caring for soldiers reduced infection rates.
Florence Nightingale
Started nursing schools
Data collection
Clara Barton
served in the battlefields
created a center to locate missing soldiers and started the American Red Cross
Clara Barton
Founded the American Red Cross
Formalized nursing education
Dorothea Dix
not a nurse, but rather a teacher.
The National Academy of Medicine is a nonprofit private business that provides objectiv
data intended to improve the health of society.
It emphasizes a scientific, evidence-based approach to issues that affect the wo
working collaboratively to discover solutions to health problems (National Academy o
Medicine, 2020a, pp. 1–2).
Defining a Profession
• The nursing profession is a highly specialized field in which knowledge and care
are constantly evolving. Nursing has been described as both an art and a science. Nur
utilize knowledge and skills that are based on scientific facts, while performing the art
caring with compassion, dignity, and intuition. Nurses work independently as well a
interprofessionally; they can act in the role of a preceptor or supervisor or be involved i
research. But most of all, the nurse provides care to the client and works in collaboratio
with the health care team to address the client’s needs.
The American Nurses Association has defined nursing in Nursing: Scope and
Standards of Practice, a document that provides a framework
Nursing is defined by the ANA as follows.
1. Protecting, promoting, and advancing clients’ health
2. Averting illness and injuries through health promotion
3. Using the nursing process to facilitate clients’ recovery from illness or injury
4. Minimizing or eliminating clients’ suffering
5. Advocating for the care and health of the client, family, or community
Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
A Nurse Practice Act is a legal and regulatory body that is created by, and applicable in
each individual state. It establishes common definitions, rules, and regulations to gui
the practice of a licensed nurse and thereby promote quality of care and safety wh
caring for a client.
The ANA’s Scope of Nursing Practice provides the nurse with a clear definition of the
complex and dynamic role of the nurse and the expectations of the nurse in that role. T
ANA’s Standards of Nursing Practice are explanatory statements that describe
competent level of care and professionalism that all nurses should achieve.
Code of Ethics for Nurses assists a nurse with ethical decision making, by incorporatin
the nurse’s value system, duty, obligation to the client, and call to uphold professiona
ideals.
, A nurse is obligated to practice not only within state rules and regulations, but also b
following specific policies and procedures within the direction of the facility where the
nurse is working.
A nurse through acquired knowledge, skills, and critical thinking determines the
appropriate nursing response based on the scope and standard of practice, rul
laws, regulations, and facility policies and procedures. Based on this self
determination and nursing identity, each individual nurse is responsible for his o
her own practice—for making these decisions and acting professionally within th
role as a nurse.
Interwoven throughout all levels of these regulations, laws, standards, and facilit
policies and procedures are principles of quality, evidence-based practice, an
safety, which are critical elements of every decision and action a nurse takes i
practice.
Historical Contributions
Florence Nightingale
Nightingale demonstrated what is now called evidence-based practice, by engaging in da
collection and reporting her findings. She connected unclean conditions to wound infectio
during the Crimean War (1853–1855) and observed that overall cleanliness and hand wash
between caring for soldiers reduced infection rates. Nightingale continued her legacy by start
some of the first schools of nursing.
Which of the following are Florence Nightingale’s contributions to nursing that are still use
today?
Evidence-based practice through her data collection, documentation, and reporting
findings connecting unclean conditions to infection. She observed that overall cleanline
and hand washing between caring for soldiers reduced infection rates.
Florence Nightingale
Started nursing schools
Data collection
Clara Barton
served in the battlefields
created a center to locate missing soldiers and started the American Red Cross
Clara Barton
Founded the American Red Cross
Formalized nursing education
Dorothea Dix
not a nurse, but rather a teacher.
