Nursing as a Profession
Nursing as a profession
In New Zealand, Nursing is increasingly being considered a desirable profession to be part of, but what makes nursing a profession? Among several other characteristics required to make an occupation a profession, Autonomy allows a regulating body to control the activity of its members by setting standards and implementing guidelines for its members to adhere to, and disciplinary procedures for when these standards are not met. A Code of Ethics is also required for the profession to retain the integrity among its members, and so that health consumers and their families can have confidence in the Nursing profession. Both of these characteristics are crucial for Nursing in New Zealand to be a trusted, respected and recognised profession.
For a profession to be Autonomous, there must be a governing body to regulate the activity of its members, who create their own policies, procedures and guidelines. This governing body who has been granted legal authority for nurses in New Zealand, is the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). The NCNZ has defined the role and function of a Registered Nurse by writing standards in the 'Competencies for registered Nurses' and uses a 'Code of Conduct' to ensure that nurses are adhering to the particular standards that are required of them today. The NCNZ has also adapted the 'Scope of practice for Registered Nurses' (NCNZ, 2007) from the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). This outlines what a registered nurse is trained to do and to prove that they show knowledge and understanding of their practice, a competency certificate must be obtained. According to the 'Code of conduct for nurses' (NCNZ, 2012), a nurse must adhere to eight (8) principles in regards to respect and the needs of the health consumer. Nurses are required to have an intimate knowledge of these standards, and keep up to date with all revised editions. At any time, the nurse may be held accountable for their
In New Zealand, Nursing is increasingly being considered a desirable profession to be part of, but what makes nursing a profession? Among several other characteristics required to make an occupation a profession, Autonomy allows a regulating body to control the activity of its members by setting standards and implementing guidelines for its members to adhere to, and disciplinary procedures for when these standards are not met. A Code of Ethics is also required for the profession to retain the integrity among its members, and so that health consumers and their families can have confidence in the Nursing profession. Both of these characteristics are crucial for Nursing in New Zealand to be a trusted, respected and recognised profession.
For a profession to be Autonomous, there must be a governing body to regulate the activity of its members, who create their own policies, procedures and guidelines. This governing body who has been granted legal authority for nurses in New Zealand, is the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ). The NCNZ has defined the role and function of a Registered Nurse by writing standards in the 'Competencies for registered Nurses' and uses a 'Code of Conduct' to ensure that nurses are adhering to the particular standards that are required of them today. The NCNZ has also adapted the 'Scope of practice for Registered Nurses' (NCNZ, 2007) from the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). This outlines what a registered nurse is trained to do and to prove that they show knowledge and understanding of their practice, a competency certificate must be obtained. According to the 'Code of conduct for nurses' (NCNZ, 2012), a nurse must adhere to eight (8) principles in regards to respect and the needs of the health consumer. Nurses are required to have an intimate knowledge of these standards, and keep up to date with all revised editions. At any time, the nurse may be held accountable for their