The aim of the present paper is to examine ideas of professionalization, and to explore in what way they might give directions for the development of nursing practice. An examination of the literature on professionalization in social science reveals that the existing ideas of professionalization may be divided into two paradigms, denominated naive paradigm and cynical paradigm. Both paradigms have been criticized on the grounds of being idealistic and ahistoric. A contemporary view has developed from this criticism, oriented towards the historical and social contexts of professions. The implications for nursing practice of this view brings into focus the development of nursing practice in relation to the public and the tradition of nursing. This view of professionalization contributes to a contemporary view of nursing practice, and an expanded idea of professionalization is discussed.