Advancing nursing through professionalism.

First of all I want to say Happy Nurses week to all our Oklahoma Nurses and congratulations to all the new graduates May brings with it many reasons to celebrate the profession of nursing.

A wise physician once told me, "No one knows their craft better than a nurse."

I like this because nursing is a craft--one that combines both art and science. It's a craft to be respected.

As nurses, we have the responsibility of not only providing the best care for our patients, but also advancing our profession in order to meet the public's health care needs, both today and tomorrow. One of the ways we do this is by adapting to the changes that affect health care each and every day.

When I began as a nurse in 1980:

* Less than 3 percent of nurses were men. Today that number has more than doubled.

* 22 percent of nurses had bachelor's degrees. Today that number is 37 percent.

* The average life expectance in the United States was less than 74 years Now it's nearly 79.

Today, more than ever, there's a growing need for nurses Our population is aging, yet the number of nurses in this country has remained relatively stable.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are some 2.6 million registered nurses (RNs) in the United States, making this the largest health care occupation. When people need health care, odds are they'll encounter more RNs than any other type of health professional This means that, as a nurse, you're representing the health care profession And this is a huge responsibility.

Many look back on their careers at some point and ask themselves, Have I made a difference? Has my work all these years made the world a better place? Nurses don't have this problem. We make a difference each and every day and we see the results of our work in the lives we touch.

As nurses, we have an obligation to the public. We must be dedicated to serving others, and I believe this dedication is best expressed through our professionalism.

What makes a nurse a professional? Lots of things. One of the most important is our education, which gives us the knowledge and skills to care for others And today more than ever, it's important that we pursue additional education and continue learning as our profession continues to evolve.

Selflessness is another hallmark of a nurse and I encourage you to seek opportunities to demonstrate this commitment to your profession and your patients. Remember that nursing is not just a job; it's a calling. It's a well-respected Profession and, in most cases, nurses are seen as Professionals.

Are you thorough? As nurses, it's important that we meet every person's needs, regardless of how large or small they are. Don't ever forget that the patient might find as much comfort and healing in a warm blanket, a soft pillow or a kind word as they would in a blood transfusion or some other lifesaving procedure.

Being energetic is a huge asset for a nurse, as is commitment. What called you to become a nurse? This is something you want to ask yourself throughout your career, in good times and when times are tough Whatever it is, remember it. Make it your personal mission statement and pursue it with pride and passion Remember: you are a nurse; you are a Professional!

We all want to know that someone is looking after our needs and that nothing has been overlooked. Health care relies on people, and people can forget or make mistakes. To avoid these errors, we must ask questions like, "Should I try another approach?" or "Why didn't this happen the way we expected?" We must double-check our work and strive to track down the answers we seek.

Finally, it's important to remember that, as humans, we have our limitations. Are you tired or distracted? We have to minimize these distractions and ask for help when necessary.

Above all, strive for perfection and continuous improvement It's what being a Professional is all about.

Linda Fanning, BSN, RN, MS