Professional care nursing helps patients feel at ease, even when their health is not.
Nursing began as a profession exclusively comprised of women, and had a basis in religion. As a provision of the Catholic Church, women who dedicated themselves to God could also, amidst their servitude to society and God, aid in the medical support of those with ongoing illnesses as well as children and the elderly. In exchange, these women would receive ongoing care and support from their respective churches until they died. Nursing was not considered a prestigious profession and nurses were often regarded with contempt.
Eventually, the perspective of nurses began to transform and various pundits, to include German medical scientist Rudolf Virchow, began advocating more constructive practices within the nursing field. These came in the form of suggestions, such as that nurses should coalesce into organizations. As a result, secular institutions were erected that concentrated more on nursing education rather than servitude. Unfortunately, they retained a structure by which the women were required to remain tethered and full supported through the institution of which they were members, with the only other option of disassociating entirely and practicing independently (outside of hospitals).
Finally, a nursing revolution ensued, and the requirement for nurses to be religious and commit themselves to a nursing institution for the entirety of their lives completely dissolved. This was replaced with nursing parameters, the requirement for certifications, nursing organizations, and the inclusion of men. Nonetheless, attrition continues to be a concern within the nursing field, as it has waned only within the last three years.
Nursing organizations were developed in order to advocate the interests of nurses while accommodating professional needs such as networking, mentoring, and the dissemination of pertinent information. Due to their importance and influence, they have been the primary locus of changes within the nursing field. These organizations can be both national as well as international and serve different purposes while pandering to specific branches, concentrations, or specialties within nursing.
The professional development of nurses can be procured through nursing organizations, the continuing professional development in nursing initiative within the European Union, continuing nursing education, and the construction of a nursing portfolio. While nursing organizations generally assist in the maintenance of professional development, the continuing professional development initiative and continuing nursing education tend to be far more volitional. Creating a nursing portfolio would simply be in the interest of pursuing career advancement, whereas the prior discussed methods would be the means to achieving the capacity for that advancement.
While European and American nurses are largely the same, there are key fundamental differences in the respective manifestations of the profession. In the United States, education is facilitated only through nursing schools, colleges, and universities, and only requires the fulfillment of those curricula followed by a National Council Licensure Examination. Alternately, in the European Union, one must have lived in Europe for at least three years, he or she must attain certification from an institution directed specifically toward nursing, and finally, he or she must attain registration from the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Ideological differences differ as well; while American nurses generally concentrate on expertise, European nurses typically concentrate on service.
Nurses encounter a myriad of hazards in the workplace. Thus, it is imperative that safe working conditions and habits are sustained. Furthermore, facilities must adhere closely to legislation and coaching, rest periods, health and safety refresher courses, attentiveness from supervisors, and visible guidelines should be allotted to nurses.
Joining a nursing organization is urged repeatedly through the Nursing Code of Ethics. In order to join a professional nursing organization, one must usually pay a membership fee or membership premium. Registration can be completed either at the organization’s headquarters or online, although some allow registration via mail.
While nurses in general are represented through professional nursing organizations, nurses of the European Union are primary represented through the Standing Committee of Nurses of the EU, or the PCN. Founded in 1971, the PCN ensures that other organizations as well as the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe hear nurses’ voices and provide nursing resources.