Professional Standards

Question 1

Flexner’s Criteria (what makes a profession a profession)

Answer 1

1. members share common identity/ values/ beliefs/ behaviors
2. distinctive specialized/ substantial body of knowledge
3. extensive education with theory and practice components
4. make unique service contribution to society
5. accept personal responsibility for discharging services to public
   6.governance/ autonomy of policies that govern members
6. a code of ethics (that members acknowledge and incorporate into actions)

Question 2

how do each of flexner’s criteria for a profession fit into nursing? (what’s something do we do that allows us to fit each criteria?)

Answer 2

1. members share common identity/ values/ beliefs/ behaviors
   - councils like BCCNP/ NNPBC
2. distinctive specialized/ substantial body of knowledge
   - BSN
3. extensive education with theory and practice components
   - specialize/ practicum
4. make unique service contribution to society
   - health promotion, advocating, social programs
5. accept personal responsibility for discharging services to public
   - ensure we have licenses, participate in continuing education

6.governance/ autonomy of policies that govern members
- we deal with our own issues/ don’t have another profession overseeing us

7. a code of ethics (that members acknowledge and incorporate into actions)
   - follow code of ethics

Question 3

What is a professional standard?

Answer 3

a statement about levels of performance that nurses are required to achieve in their practice

Question 4

Why have professional standards ?

Answer 4

to promote, guide and direct professional practice

Question 5

Who has responsibility for the professional standards? and what are there responsibilities?

Answer 5

1. individual nurses - acting professional and being respectful in their practice
2. employees - provide essential support systems /. human & material resources
3. BCCNM - assuring that the profession as a whole carries out its commitment to the public

Question 6

what are the BCCNP professional standards?

Answer 6

1. professional responsibility and accountability
2. knowledge based practice
3. client focused provision of service
4. ethical practice

Question 7

what are the 4 levels of controls on RN’s practice? (BCCNP)

Answer 7

1. regulation (for RNs and NPs)
   - sets out scope of practice
2. BCCNP standards/ limits/ conditions
   - compliment practices set out in regulation ^
3. employer policies
   - might restrict RN’s practice in a particular agency/ unit
4. individual nurse competence
   - (ability to carry out an activity)

Question 8

What are professional standards?

Answer 8

• set of standards under BCCNM
• statements about level of performance that nurses are required to achieve in their practice

Question 9

What are practice standards?

Answer 9

• guide and direct nursing practice
• levels of performance the BCCNM nurse registrants are required to achieve

Question 10

What is fitness to practice?

Answer 10

nurses possessing qualities and capabilities relevant to a nurses ability to practice.

measure of health and wellness as it relates to work as a nurse, must be healthy enough to provide safe, competent, ethical care.

some examples of states affecting fitness to practice
- physical condition
- psychological condition
- emotional condition
- dependence on alcohol/ drugs that interferes with ability to practice