Ethics and Professionalism in Nursing The combination of professionalism and ethics can be equated to an extraordinary nurse because they are fundamental components in the nursing profession and crucial for trust, confidence and the well-being of the patient. Having a nursing degree is not what makes a person a professional. Professionalism is defined as: the skill, common sense and polite behavior expected of a person trained to do a job well. It is further described as: the conduct, objectives or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional. Other attributes of a professional nurse include genuine compassion and care for patients. This helps instill feelings of hope in times of turmoil, while neutralizing feelings of fear. Sometimes there is no one else. Furthermore, the nurse can be as valuable as the next breath of fresh air in rekindling hope and the will to live. In a personal interview, real estate agent Brandi Callum, shared her testimony about how her nurse gave her hope to continue living during pregnancy with a loved one ...