Nurses (and Teachers) are not "professionals"

[DGS49]

Nursing No Longer Classified as a Professional Degree: What’s at Stake?

A recent change by the U.S. Department of Education excludes nursing from its list of “professional degrees.” Discover how this impacts nurses at every level.

www.nurse.com

The internet and Media are filled with nurses outraged that the Trump Administration has classified them as not "professionals." Something to do with financing grad school, I think.

The word "professional" is badly misused, usually harmlessly, but it is instructive to take a step back every once in a while and look at what a "profession" really is. Here are a few pointers:

Professionals require a college degree BEYOND the Bachelors level. Law Degree, Medical Degree, Dental degree...you get the idea. A field of endeavor that you can enter with nothing more than a Bachelors degree is not a "profession."

A profession requires a large body of knowledge not known, perhaps not even available, to the general public, without which knowledge you cannot function in the profession. You can read law books and case studies until your eyes wear out, but I wouldn't trust you to write me a will, or defend me in traffic court. Same for taking medical advice from a well-informed member of the general public. It would be foolish indeed.

A professional can "put up a shingle" and practice the profession serving the general public without supervision.

A professional is certified competent by a "professional association" based on formal education, passing of a brutal and comprehensive battery of tests, and usually some certification of good character. That professional certification can be withdrawn for demonstrated incompetence or acting in such a way that brings disrepute on the profession itself.

Last and I would almost say, most importantly, professionals are held to a higher standard than others. They must not only one competent, but they must keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the profession throughout their careers. If they fail in that standard and a client is thereby harmed, they can be sued for "malpractice," which is a whole level beyond simple negligence.

So having said all that - I think the points are obvious to anyone taking the matter seriously - it is clear that there are lots of worthy and valuable fields of endeavor that exhibit "professionalism" (or they might), but are not true professions, to wit,

• nursing,
• teaching,
• engineering,
• accounting,
• architecture.

In a similar way, some small-p professions have created certification programs where by practitioners can set themselves apart and above their general peers with a "professional" certification. CPA's and PE's, come to mind, and I'm sure there are several others. Hell, I was a Certified Professional Contract Manager for many years, which required education, many years of relevant experience, and passing of a comprehensive test. (I'm also a retired member of the Pennsylvania Bar).

It is not an insult to be told that your field of endeavor is not a "profession." In the case of nurses, it's merely a statement of fact. Your contribution to society can be enormous - even greater than that of some physicians - but that doesn't make nursing a "profession."

Sorry.

 

[1srelluc]

They better do something about those so-called "mental health professionals" then.

You know, the same lot that prescribes gender reassignment for minors.

 

[sparky]

interesting prospective.....~S~

 

[Manonthestreet]

When ya get to hospital ask for the non-professional nurse and see what happens

 

[braalian]

A professional is certified competent by a "professional association" based on formal education, passing of a brutal and comprehensive battery of tests, and usually some certification of good character. That professional certification can be withdrawn for demonstrated incompetence or acting in such a way that brings disrepute on the profession itself.

well, as a LPN, I passed the NCLEX-PN, and the Board of Nursing holds me accountable to moral and professional standards equal to any. I hold a professional license, one I can lose if the board deems me incompetent or my character betrays the public trust. I'm responsible to monitor medically complex patients on my own, under my own license, and there usually is not a provider of any kind in the building. Sometimes not even a RN.

In my current position I make $50/hr, much more than many, many more highly educated professionals in many fields

So, I'll cry all the way to the bank at being "declassified"

 

[1srelluc]

well, as a LPN, I passed the NCLEX-PN, and the Board of Nursing holds me accountable to moral and professional standards equal to any. I hold a professional license. I'm responsible to monitor medically complex patients on my own, under my own license, and there usually is not a provider of any kind in the building. Sometimes not even a RN.

In my current position I make $50/hr, much more than many, many more highly educated professionals in many fields

So, I'll cry all the way to the bank at being "declassified"

I don't know the end game of the "reclassification" but it seems misdirected.

Again, we really need to reclassify those involved in mental health.....I'd have more faith in a dog whisperer than that bunch.

 

[braalian]

They better do something about those so-called "mental health professionals" then.

You know, the same lot that prescribes gender reassignment for minors.

Maybe the ones doing that, but not the profession as a whole

Psychiatrists have completed medical school

 

[1srelluc]

Maybe the ones doing that, but not the profession as a whole

Psychiatrists have completed medical school

I have to disagree, as a lot they are as odd as those they see.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Professionals should require a minimum of a Masters Degree, in many cases a Phd. Or, equivalent designation depending on the vocation.

 

[Harry Dresden]

well, as a LPN, I passed the NCLEX-PN, and the Board of Nursing holds me accountable to moral and professional standards equal to any. I hold a professional license, one I can lose if the board deems me incompetent or my character betrays the public trust. I'm responsible to monitor medically complex patients on my own, under my own license, and there usually is not a provider of any kind in the building. Sometimes not even a RN.

In my current position I make $50/hr, much more than many, many more highly educated professionals in many fields

So, I'll cry all the way to the bank at being "declassified"

as a letter carrier i made more money than many of the teachers and others who lived on my route...i felt bad until it was pouring ******* rain with a wind and i was standing out there delivering their mail...

 

[Darkwind]

Nursing No Longer Classified as a Professional Degree: What’s at Stake?

A recent change by the U.S. Department of Education excludes nursing from its list of “professional degrees.” Discover how this impacts nurses at every level.

www.nurse.com

The internet and Media are filled with nurses outraged that the Trump Administration has classified them as not "professionals." Something to do with financing grad school, I think.

The word "professional" is badly misused, usually harmlessly, but it is instructive to take a step back every once in a while and look at what a "profession" really is. Here are a few pointers:

Professionals require a college degree BEYOND the Bachelors level. Law Degree, Medical Degree, Dental degree...you get the idea. A field of endeavor that you can enter with nothing more than a Bachelors degree is not a "profession."

A profession requires a large body of knowledge not known, perhaps not even available, to the general public, without which knowledge you cannot function in the profession. You can read law books and case studies until your eyes wear out, but I wouldn't trust you to write me a will, or defend me in traffic court. Same for taking medical advice from a well-informed member of the general public. It would be foolish indeed.

A professional can "put up a shingle" and practice the profession serving the general public without supervision.

A professional is certified competent by a "professional association" based on formal education, passing of a brutal and comprehensive battery of tests, and usually some certification of good character. That professional certification can be withdrawn for demonstrated incompetence or acting in such a way that brings disrepute on the profession itself.

Last and I would almost say, most importantly, professionals are held to a higher standard than others. They must not only one competent, but they must keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the profession throughout their careers. If they fail in that standard and a client is thereby harmed, they can be sued for "malpractice," which is a whole level beyond simple negligence.

So having said all that - I think the points are obvious to anyone taking the matter seriously - it is clear that there are lots of worthy and valuable fields of endeavor that exhibit "professionalism" (or they might), but are not true professions, to wit,

• nursing,
• teaching,
• engineering,
• accounting,
• architecture.

In a similar way, some small-p professions have created certification programs where by practitioners can set themselves apart and above their general peers with a "professional" certification. CPA's and PE's, come to mind, and I'm sure there are several others. Hell, I was a Certified Professional Contract Manager for many years, which required education, many years of relevant experience, and passing of a comprehensive test. (I'm also a retired member of the Pennsylvania Bar).

It is not an insult to be told that your field of endeavor is not a "profession." In the case of nurses, it's merely a statement of fact. Your contribution to society can be enormous - even greater than that of some physicians - but that doesn't make nursing a "profession."

Sorry.

My biggest go-to when determining whether a title is Professional is this: Do they need to be licensed to practice their profession?

 

[braalian]

Professionals should require a minimum of a Masters Degree, in many cases a Phd. Or, equivalent designation depending on the vocation.

to be a librarian requires a master's degree in library science. They have very poor job growth outlook and the starting pay is less then the nursing assistants I work with.

What exactly are the perks/benefits of being labeled a "professional" under those circumstances? Prestige? Education for education's sake?

 

[braalian]

My biggest go-to when determining whether a title is Professional is this: Do they need to be licensed to practice their profession?

well, by definition, that includes all nurses. Only licensed LPNs and licensed RNs can legally call themselves 'nurse'. Anyone else doing so is committing a crime

 

[Darkwind]

well, by definition, that includes all nurses. Only licensed LPNs and licensed RNs can legally call themselves 'nurse'. Anyone else doing so is committing a crime

I would consider them as Professionals.

 

[braalian]

I'm guessing Unkotare and Sweet Sue will be somewhat offended by this thread as well...

 

[0311]

Nursing No Longer Classified as a Professional Degree: What’s at Stake?

A recent change by the U.S. Department of Education excludes nursing from its list of “professional degrees.” Discover how this impacts nurses at every level.

www.nurse.com

The internet and Media are filled with nurses outraged that the Trump Administration has classified them as not "professionals." Something to do with financing grad school, I think.

The word "professional" is badly misused, usually harmlessly, but it is instructive to take a step back every once in a while and look at what a "profession" really is. Here are a few pointers:

Professionals require a college degree BEYOND the Bachelors level. Law Degree, Medical Degree, Dental degree...you get the idea. A field of endeavor that you can enter with nothing more than a Bachelors degree is not a "profession."

A profession requires a large body of knowledge not known, perhaps not even available, to the general public, without which knowledge you cannot function in the profession. You can read law books and case studies until your eyes wear out, but I wouldn't trust you to write me a will, or defend me in traffic court. Same for taking medical advice from a well-informed member of the general public. It would be foolish indeed.

A professional can "put up a shingle" and practice the profession serving the general public without supervision.

A professional is certified competent by a "professional association" based on formal education, passing of a brutal and comprehensive battery of tests, and usually some certification of good character. That professional certification can be withdrawn for demonstrated incompetence or acting in such a way that brings disrepute on the profession itself.

Last and I would almost say, most importantly, professionals are held to a higher standard than others. They must not only one competent, but they must keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the profession throughout their careers. If they fail in that standard and a client is thereby harmed, they can be sued for "malpractice," which is a whole level beyond simple negligence.

So having said all that - I think the points are obvious to anyone taking the matter seriously - it is clear that there are lots of worthy and valuable fields of endeavor that exhibit "professionalism" (or they might), but are not true professions, to wit,

• nursing,
• teaching,
• engineering,
• accounting,
• architecture.

In a similar way, some small-p professions have created certification programs where by practitioners can set themselves apart and above their general peers with a "professional" certification. CPA's and PE's, come to mind, and I'm sure there are several others. Hell, I was a Certified Professional Contract Manager for many years, which required education, many years of relevant experience, and passing of a comprehensive test. (I'm also a retired member of the Pennsylvania Bar).

It is not an insult to be told that your field of endeavor is not a "profession." In the case of nurses, it's merely a statement of fact. Your contribution to society can be enormous - even greater than that of some physicians - but that doesn't make nursing a "profession."

Sorry.

I'm sure that at sometime in your life you had a nurse or nurses looking after you, they were professionals and you know it.

 

[sparky]

I'm guessing Unkotare and Sweet Sue will be somewhat offended by this thread as well...

don't be Braalian......this is all about government qualifying financial aid , most of whom have zero 'professional' anything......~S~

 

[Blaster]

I consider teaching a trade.

 

[sparky]

I consider teaching a trade.

well, wouldn't 'trades' address skilled labor Blaster?

~S~

 

[braalian]

I consider teaching a trade.

based on what?