Coat of Arms for Nursing

Term Paper # 101549

Medical and Health > Nursing
Sociology

This paper discusses that a coat of arms is an ideal way of representing the key qualities of nursing.

1,461 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes than when attempting to characterize nursing, one immediately considers the quality of caring, and rightly so. Caring is the core or heart of nursing, and is also regarded as a moral ideal. The writer points out that nursing can be viewed as heroism and the ultimate in humanitarian ideals when we think of Florence Nightingale and the origins of the nursing profession. Nurses tend to be passionate about their beliefs which allow them to be deeply committed to their patients and profession. Nurses also believe in continuous learning and in keeping informed of new research that is developing. In this paper, the writer identifies the most significant characteristics of nursing and then isolates the key qualities that can be represented by a coat of arms for the nursing profession.

From the Paper:

"The main quality that marks nursing from other professions is caring and compassion. All candidates who aspire to nursing must have a concern for other human beings and their well-being. Not only is nursing aware of the need for caring, but the public also identifies nursing with this quality. However, caring is not just emotion but is structured because it is based on theory and is scientific and disciplined. Nurses are highly trained and must be competent to do their work. Caring is actually quite a complex matter and a great deal of theory has been devoted to the concept."

Sample of Sources Used:

Buerhaus, P. (2005). Registered nurses' perceptions of nursing. Nursing Economics, 23 (3), 110-121.
Fleur-de-lis Designs (2007). The Fleur-de-lis. http://www.fleurdelis.com
Huston, C. (1990). What makes the difference? Nursing90, 20 (5), 170-173.
South African Nursing Council (SANC) (2007). South African Nursing Council Coat of Arms. http://www.sanc.co.za
Wikipedia (2007). Fleur-de-lis. http://www.en.wikipedia.org