Beyond workforce: reclaiming nursing as care

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Studies

Background:

• Nursing is often viewed as a workforce rather than a profession.
• The complexities of nursing practice extend beyond task completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the reclamation of nursing as a distinct profession.
• To emphasize the critical elements that constitute professional nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• Discourse analysis of nursing practice.
• Exploration of leadership's role in professional identity.

Main Results:

• Sustained attention to relationships is fundamental to nursing care.
• Professional judgment is a cornerstone of effective nursing practice.
• Everyday work is integral to holding patient care together.

Conclusions:

• Reclaiming nursing as a profession requires valuing relationships, judgment, and the daily work of nurses.
• Effective leadership is crucial for fostering a professional nursing identity.