A nurse is an example of which category?

• A. Paraprofessional
• B. Consumer
• C. Volunteer
• D. Professional

Answer: (D)

The main idea is recognizing professional status in the helping professions, which comes from formal education, licensure, and accountability. A nurse completes substantial, specialized education and must obtain and maintain licensure, plus follow ethical codes and professional standards. This combination creates an independent, regulated role with a defined scope of practice, which is the hallmark of a professional in human services.

Paraprofessional describes someone with specialized support duties under supervision and typically without independent licensure. A volunteer provides services without pay and isn’t necessarily operating within a formal professional framework. A consumer is someone who receives services, not a provider. Given these distinctions, a nurse clearly fits the professional category.