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Weekly Q&A: Help nurses to view nursing as a profession, not a job

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, November 29, 2005

This week, a reader asks about reacting to nurses who perceive nursing as a job rather than a profession. Read the response below from our advisor, Suzanne C. Beyea, RN, PhD, FAAN, director of nursing research, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC), Lebanon, NH.

Q: How do you respond when staff nurses say or portray the attitude that nursing is "just their job?"

A: I tend to focus on the staff nurses who are engaged in their work and their profession and trust that peer pressure will bring others along to a more positive and professional view of work. A strong shared governance model helps nurses contribute to and shape the environment in which they work, embedding a professional model of practice in that environment. In today's busy world, some nurses will occasionally need to focus on their personal lives, such as child care, elder care, health problems, or school. They may actually withdraw from work for a year or two and at a later point refocus on their profession.

ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® is not about being perfect or having 100% of staff espouse the same view. Designation is about creating processes that support professional development and practice. Focus on the individuals who are ready for the journey, make sure others are aware of the opportunities, and remain creative about ways of inviting them to join the effort from a professional perspective.

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