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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND PROFESSIONALISM IN
NURSING

FACULTY & PROGRAMME:

SEMESTER :
PROJECT TITLE : THE RELEVANCE OF PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT TO ENHANCE
QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE AND
PROFESSIONALISM OF NURSES
NAME :

LECTURER :
 TABLE OF CONTENT

PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION
1

2. DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL AND

2
PROFESSIONALISM IN NURSING

3. FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN

3
NURSING PROFESSION

4. IMPACT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON AN

ORGANIZATION AND PROFESSION OF NURSES 5

5. CONCLUSION
6

6. REFERENCES 7
1. INTRODUCTION

There are many professions in the world in which professionalism is one of the most

important criteria. One of those professions is nursing. A registered nurse is a person who has

undergone a formal course of nursing education and registered with the Malaysian Nursing

Board (Nursing board Malaysia, 2010). Nursing profession plays an important role in the

entire life of community around the world. The profession of nursing contributes to the health

and welfare of society through the protection, promotion and restoration of health, the

prevention of illness, and the alleviation of suffering in the care of individuals, families and

the entire communities (Matthews, 2012). Nurses as a member of the health system and

health service providers are responsible for providing care to the patients based on ethical

issues and yet they are still struggling to maintain the interest of community by practising

good image, behaviour according to the code of professional conduct (Johnstone, 2004). In

fact, nursing is putting much value that relies on practitioners to act in a way that represents

the virtuousness of the broader discipline, as all nurses are in a position of responsibility.

However, in the global changing, nurses needs to identify ways to transform the

nursing profession to meet the challenges of complex and rapidly changing in the health care

system. According to Chitty & Black (2007), nurses need ethical knowledge for appropriate

performance, management of the situations and providing safe and appropriate legal and

ethical services. The complexity of the current healthcare system requires increasing

specialization of nurses (ANA, 2010a). By providing nurses knowledge and opportunities to

improve their competencies and skill eventually will give them well preparation and

development in their professions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the

relevance of professional development in order to enhance quality of healthcare and

professionalism of nurses. The discussion will assess the definition of professional and

professionalism in nursing, review the factors of affecting the professional development of

nursing profession. Throughout, the study will explain the impact of professional

development on an organization because it is essential in obtaining positive patient outcomes

throughout their career life. Finally, I will conclude by encouraging all nurses to engage in

their professional organization and explaining how the professional development and

implication is required for delivery of care.

2. DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALISM IN NURSING

Nowadays, the word "professionalism" is getting attention and extremely gained people

interest around the world which is leading edge of entire healthcare professions especially in

the field of nursing. It is presently one of the primary areas of interest as nursing profession

towards professional development. Blais et al., (2010) define the professional values as a

relationship with individual believes and they are mostly rooted in personal values and it is as

something that is considered good or appropriate for all professions. The acquisition of

professional skills and professional values are necessary in care setting for professional

development (Hortonet al., 2007). These values are the fundamental of nursing performance,

the director of the nurses’ interaction with the patients, colleagues and other professionals and

the public as well (Leners et al., 2006) and also as a guideline for ethical behaviour to provide

security and humanitarian care (Lawler, 2008). In fact, values are goals and beliefs that create

behaviours and they are a basis for decision making and practice (Chitty & Black, 2007;

Martin et al., 2003).

Professionalism can be discovered in several different ways and from various

perspectives. According to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, professionalism is defined

as a proficiency of a clear and specific body of knowledge and contribution to that body of

knowledge with an adherence to a distinct code of ethics which controls behaviour via

rigorous healthcare training (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 1991). The American

Physical Therapy Association (APTA) stated seven main core values of professionalism in

healthcare providers such as accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, excellence,

integrity, professional duty and social responsibility as well (Swisher & Page, 2005). Miller-

Keane Encyclopaedia Dictionary includes the ethical norms, values, and principles ethics.

Professional values are standards of behaviour for performance that provide a framework for

appraising beliefs and attitudes that influence behaviour.

Despite of that, development of professional values has been a continuous and long

process and it is influenced by different factors. Therefore, the next section, this study

address several factors that affecting the professional development in nursing profession.

3. FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN

NURSING PROFESSION

In this section, we are going to assess several factors which are affecting the professional

development in nursing profession. Recently, The National Nursing Staff Development

Organization (NNSDO), which is now known as the Association for Nursing Professional

Development (ANPD), advances the specialty practice of nursing professional development

for the enhancement of healthcare outcomes (NNSDO, 2010). It is highlighted the importance

of learning and practice among nursing in order to develop their skills and competencies in

organization and profession. Meanwhile, American Nurses Association [ANA] and National

Nursing Staff Development Organization [NNSDO] (2010) has indentified five areas in the

domain of responsibility in the Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing Professional

Development. One of the areas is career development responsibilities among nurses. The

professional development is one of the values in which can helps the professional

socialization process (Blais, 2010).

 One of the most important factors in the professional development in nursing

profession is mainly focused on professional experiences. Continuing professional learning

and achieving professional experiences have an important role in the growth and

development of professional values. The previous studies have shown that the continuing

professional development does make a difference in the professional values formation (Weis

& Schank, 2002). Professional development and role modelling of the educators are always

important in strengthening nursing’s professional values even with the absence of specific

ethics course in the curriculum (Elfrink & Lutz, 1991). Based on the research findings

conducted by Akram et al., (2015) reveals that education and achieving learning experiences

one of the factor growth and development of professional values positively (Bang et al.,

2011; Leners et al., 2006; Lin, Wang, Yarbrough, Alfred, & Martin, 2010; Rassin, 2010;

Schank & Weis, 2001; Weis & Schank, 1997, 2002). Educating professional values in

nursing curriculum by emphasizing on three cognitive, mental and emotional domains

facilitates and promotes professional and acculturation development process (Fahrenwald et

al., 2005).

The major attribute of professionalism is self-improvement. Doing research is one of

the importance ways to improve themselves. This is because research is able to gain and

widen the knowledge of the healthcare professional such as the latest interventions.

Knowledge is essential for reasoning and decision making which are central to professional

practice (Higg & Jones, 2000). Communication and knowledge empowers the healthcare

professional, increase their self-confidence, sense of mission and hope which is able to

manage the untreatable illness (Blumenthal, 2011). According to the Paul B (2005),

knowledge, skills, and behaviour need to be achieved via self-improvement in order to

improve the quality of care towards the patient. These ensure the better interaction between

the healthcare professional and patients especially to avoid any misunderstandings.

 Besides that, the third factor is self- awareness which is a continuous process of

noticing and exploring aspects of oneself such as the psychosocial, physical and behavioural

aspect with the intention of developing personal and interpersonal understanding (Burnard,

2001). It is a very important skill and it has the ability to influence the healthcare

professional. Self-awareness is significant as when they have a better understanding of

themselves, they are able to make changes and hence strengthen every aspect of the

healthcare professionals (Fahrenwald et al., 2005). This is a way to achieve the patient-

centred care practice. In addition, the self-awareness is required from the healthcare

professionals in order to enable them to attune to patients and their experiences, concerns and

interpretations of their illness. Thus, a close therapeutic relationship can be developed and

sustained (Higg & Jones, 2000).

Other than that, decision making for a healthcare professional is very important factor

as there are many other alternative treatments, and as a healthcare provider, we need to

choose the right treatment that has the highest probability of giving an effective treatment to

the patients (Eddy, 1994). Decision-making is a process of reducing any uncertainty and

doubt to allow a healthcare provider to choose the best choice among them (Robert Harris,

2009). However, decision-making could be influenced by several factors. These include

clinician's goals, psychosocial skills, based of knowledge and expertise, values and beliefs,

strategies for problem solving and procedural skills. Patient's characters influence the

decision-making too. This closely associated with patients goals, values and beliefs, physical,

education, psychosocial, and cultural factors and as well as environment factors such as

clinical practice environment, overall resources, time, level of financial support and level of

social support (O'Sullivan & Schmitz, 2007).

4. IMPACT OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ON AN

ORGANIZATION AND PROFESSION OF NURSES.

As a special knowledge, professionalism has a skill-oriented and experiential nature. So,

focusing on the professional development factors that influence profession and providing the

perfect context for professional growth and development in clinical practice seems to be one

of the essential elements. In this context, the study will assert the impacts of the professional

development activities on an organization and profession of nurses.

A professional nurse is one who puts the needs and importance of patient care above

all others. The first impact of the professionals development is creates a positive public image

considering the public is where services are directed to. A professional’s appearance is

important for making first impression on patients and other co-workers. The first impression

is always of utmost importance and plays a major role in gaining a patient’s respect and trust.

Once the nurse has began establishing a relationship with their patient, they must be careful

to not pass or show any judgement on a patient’s decisions, beliefs, values or culture. The

professional development is vital in order to promote of care quality, increase of patient

understands, enhance job satisfaction and retention of nursing staff (Horton et al., 2007).

The second impact of professional development is enhancing the management of

patient’s framework. The management aspect is very crucial for decision-making, as it assists

to provide successful manifestation on healthcare provider plans. With a good planning

ahead, an effective and efficient work could be carried out. Clear settings of aims and

objectives, priorities, planning and evaluating work are those important aspects of

management (Ewles.L.,Simnett.I., 2003). Effective treatment on the other hand plays

important roles in the practice setting. The treatment given must be appropriate to the need of

the patient and the members of the healthcare team (O'Sullivan.B.S.,Schmitz.J.T., 2007).
Evidence-based practice is also being emphasized upon decision making. A successful

treatment can be accomplished with the evidence-based medical practice. Evidence-based

clinical practices protect healthcare providers from discrimination and no research-based

illegitimacy. Constant reflections and practitioners' experiences provide a guideline for the

healthcare professional in enhancement of service care through evidence-based clinical

practices. (Ewles & Simnett, 2003).

Therefore, we can see the relationship between the factors affecting the professional

development in nursing profession and its impact on the organization and profession creates a

better understanding between practitioners and patient as well as co-workers and public. We

need to focus on how to enhance the ability and experience of nurses in order to achieve an

excellent healthcare provider to the society.

5. CONCLUSION

In a nutshell, a high standard of professionalism will benefit both healthcare providers as well

as patients in the long run and it allows healthcare providers to experience a development in

self-confidence together with reliability from patients, co-workers as well as most of

appreciation from others (Gage, 2007). Professionalism is a fulfilment for all patients,

regardless the matter of race, religion, young or old. It also behoves healthcare providers to

serve in a proficient manner at all times because it creates a positive effect on every single

individuals involved in any circumstances. In other words, professionalism denominate the

entire healthcare practices in aspects like communication and decision making by

implementing the value itself onto the healthcare providers. Thus, it is essential for healthcare

provider to be versatile and not to underestimate any one aspect of professionalism.

6. REFERENCES

Akram. P, Morteza. K, Eesa. M & Jamileh. M. N. 2015. Factors Influencing Development of

Professional Values Among Nursing Students and Instructors: A Systematic Review. Global

Journal of Health Science. Volume 7, No. 2, pp. 284-293.

American Nurses Association. (2010a). Nursing scope and standards of practice. Silver

Spring, MD: [Link].

Blais, K. K, Kathleen. K. B, Janice. S. H and Pu. (2010). Professional Nursing Practice:

Concepts And Perspectives.

Chitty, K. K., & Black, B. P. (2007). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges. WB

Saunders Co.

Horton, K., Tschudin, V., & Forget, A. (2007). The value of nursing: a literature review.

Nursing ethics, 14(6), 716-740. PMid: 17901183.

[Link]

Johnstone, Megan-Jane. (2004). Bioethics: a nursing perspective. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Matthews, J. H. 2012. Role of Professional Organizations in Advocating For the Nursing

Profession. The Online Journal of Issues In Nursing. Volume 17, no.1, Manuscript 3.

Nursing Board Malaysia. 2010. Guidelines on Standard & Criteria for

Approval/Accreditation of Nursing Programmes. Revised June2010. Approved by Nursing

Board Malaysia, Ministry of Health.