This document helps to identify the concept of professionalism as a guiding tenet that enhances outcomes for nurses, patients, organizations and systems; define the attributes of professionalism; identify and discuss the evidence related to each attribute of professionalism; and provide strategies for success.
This document helps to identify the concept of professionalism as a guiding tenet that enhances outcomes for nurses, patients, organizations and systems; define the attributes of professionalism; identify and discuss the evidence related to each attribute of professionalism; and provide strategies for success.
As an introduction, we’ve provided summaries of the practice recommendations from the BPG document — but we strongly encourage downloading RNAO’s official PDF.
A body of knowledge that is theoretical, practical, and clinical.
Being able to apply that knowledge.
Using theoretical and/or evidence-based rationale for practice.
Synthesizing information from a variety of sources.
Using information or evidence from nursing other disciplines to inform practice.
Sharing or communicating knowledge with colleagues, clients, family and others to continually improve care and health outcomes
Being open-minded and having the desire to explore new knowledge.
Asking questions leading to the generation of knowledge and refinement of existing knowledge.
Striving to define patterns of responses from clients, stakeholders and their context.
Being committed to life long learning.
Understanding the meaning of self-regulation and its implications for practice.
Using legislation, standards of practice and a code of ethics to clarify and guide one’s scope of practice
Being committed to work with clients and their families to achieve desired outcomes.
Being actively engaged in advancing the quality of care.
Recognizing personal capabilities, knowledge base and areas for development.
Working independently and exercising decision-making within one’s appropriate scope of practice.
Recognizing relational autonomy and the effects of the context and relationships on this autonomy.
Becoming aware of barriers and constraints that may interfere with one’s autonomy and seeking ways to remedy the situation.
Understanding the client’s perspective.
Assisting the client with their learning needs.
Being involved in professional practice initiatives and activities to enhance health care.
Being knowledgable about policies that impact on the delivery of health care.
Fostering a culture of innovation to enhance nursing practice and client/family outcomes.
Showing initiative for new ideas and being involved through taking action.
Influencing the future of nursing, delivery of health care and the health care system.
Developing collaborative partnerships within a professional context.
Acting as a mentor to nurses, nursing students and colleagues to enhance and support professional growth.
Acknowledging and recognizing interdependence between care providers.
Knowledgeable about ethical values, concepts and decision-making.
Being able to identify ethical concerns, issues and dilemmas.
Applying knowledge of nursing ethics to make decisions and to act on decisions.
Being able to collect and use information from various sources for ethical decision-making.
Collaborating with colleagues to develop and maintain a practice environment that supports nurses and respects their ethical and professional responsibilities.
Engaging in critical thinking about ethical issues in clinical and professional practice.
This website was developed by a team of researchers at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University). The purpose of the site is to provide supplementary resources for implementing RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines. Some information about the best practice guidelines has been collected directly from the RNAO BPG website. We have done our best to ensure accuracy, however some discrepancies may occur. For official, up-to-date information about the best practice guidelines, please refer to the RNAO website.
