Bridging the Role and the Profession of Nursing
As nurses, our roles are multifaceted. Whether we're at the bedside, in administration, education, or policy, there can be a fine line between what we do and who we are within the profession. This distinction between "a job" and "the profession" is key to understanding our impact as individuals and as a collective body of nursing professionals.
The Job of Nursing: Your job as a nurse is the position you hold, the tasks you perform, and the specific responsibilities outlined in your job description. Whether it’s assessing a patient, managing a care plan, administering medication, or teaching new nurses, this is the tangible, day-to-day work. It’s critical and meaningful, but often confined to your current role and setting.
Examples of "the job" include:
Being an ICU nurse responsible for monitoring critically ill patients.
Serving as a nurse educator delivering a curriculum to students.
Holding a leadership position managing budgets, schedules, and staff.
While jobs are vital, they are often defined by employers, contracts, and operational priorities.
The Profession of Nursing: Nursing, as a profession, is far broader. It encompasses our collective identity, the knowledge base we contribute to, and the standards we uphold. It means committing to the evolution of healthcare, patient advocacy, and lifelong learning. It is about creating an impact that reaches beyond the walls of our workplaces.
Being part of the profession includes:
Advocating for healthcare policies that support patients and nurses.
Conducting research to advance nursing science and evidence-based practice.
Mentoring new generations of nurses to ensure the profession thrives.
Challenging systemic issues to improve healthcare outcomes for all.
The profession of nursing is defined by our shared ethics, responsibilities, and aspirations to improve lives through innovation and dedication.
The Distinction Matters: Recognizing the difference between the job and the profession allows us to:
See our contributions in a larger context. You may have a role as a bedside nurse, but your ability to shape healthcare extends beyond that space.
Find meaning when challenges arise in the workplace. Your role may be demanding, but as a professional, you are part of a legacy and future of change.
Inspire growth. Jobs may change, but our commitment to the profession is ongoing and foundational to who we are as nurses.
Moving From Job-Focused to Professionally-Engaged:
Invest in Professional Development: Take courses, pursue certifications, or attend conferences.
Get Involved in Policy: Join nursing associations, advocate for nursing representation in healthcare decisions, and participate in policy discussions.
Mentor and Educate: Share your knowledge, mentor others, and encourage professional growth.
Engage in Research and EBP: Contribute to the body of nursing knowledge by participating in or leading research efforts and ensure your practice is embedded in evidence.
Advance Nursing Visibility: Speak up in public forums, write, and highlight the profession’s impact.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK: Your NETWORK is your NETWORTH. Engage with colleagues that can add value to your work and be able and have the skillset to elevate the work of others.
Your job as a nurse is essential, but the profession of nursing is transformative. It connects us, inspires us, and challenges us to make healthcare better for those we serve. Whether you are a student, seasoned clinician, or nursing leader, remember: you don’t just do nursing; you are the profession.
Dr. Ali R. Tayyeb, Ph.D., RN, NPD-BC, PHN, FAAN, is a United States Navy Veteran, consultant, educator, and host of the RN-Mentor Podcast, where he discusses nursing, veterans' health, and healthcare systems.
