Of course, don't wear black underwear under scrubs. When your hair isn't covered by an OR cap and your hair is long, pull it up and out of your face. Other than when you are scrubbed in the OR, make certain your nametag is visible and readable. Recently, I went to a medical center across town for an audiology consult.
When I checked in, I was given a form to fill out and was told to wait until someone called my name. A woman dressed in white called my name and put out her hand. Thinking it was for a handshake, I put my hand out. However, she indicated that she'd put her hand out for the form I'd filled out. She directed me to another room, sat down, and started asking me questions. Because she never introduced herself and her nametag was turned over, I had to ask her to identify herself and describe her role in the organization.
Because she ignored my handshake, she missed an important opportunity to introduce herself and present a positive professional image. You may be familiar with the expression, don't sweat the small stuff.
That advice doesn't apply to the clinical setting-sweat the small stuff!! Small things make a big difference. In fact, a recent editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine noted that good manners are at the heart of the mission of service-related professions and the finer points of patient care should be based on good manners. Here are some guidelines for professional encounters in all types of clinical settings.
Use a first name or nickname only if the person gives your permission. Never use terms like "honey" or "sweetie. My name is first and last , and I'm the registered nurse who'll be coordinating your care until time. Explain to the patient what to expect preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.
Use open-ended questions. Ask the patient for input. Plan for success Exercising professional etiquette doesn't take a lot of time or effort, so make it part of your everyday practice. Professional etiquette isn't optional for personal and professional success; it's the critical link for coming across as a polished, confident, professional nurse. Pagana KD. The Joint Commission. Sentinel event alert: behaviors that undermine a culture of safely. Porto G, Lauve R. Disruptive clinical behavior: a persistent threat to patient safety.
Patient Safety Quality Healthcare. An evidence-based approach to creating a new nursing dress code. Powered by www. No part of this website or publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.
American Nurse American Nurse. Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Create an account. Password recovery. Home Career Nursing professionalism begins with you. Nursing professionalism begins with you. June 25, Getting a BSN has helped me do my job better in many ways, but three stand out: As a charge nurse, one of my responsibilities was attending patient care rounds and advocating for patients. After I got my BSN, I felt better prepared to advocate for my patients and collaborate with other team members.
Evidence-based research. Applying evidence-based research into bedside practice can help nurses achieve good patient outcomes. A BSN program should provide nurses with the skills they need to properly conduct research, analyze it, and apply it into practice. Healthcare understanding. Getting my BSN has helped me better understand how healthcare organizations function. Mentoring All nurses are teachers, not only to our patients but also to new nurses entering the profession.
Advocacy You can take different roads to advocacy. References American Nurses Association. Hrelic DA. Watkins LM. Professionalism in nursing, Part II. Miss RN. Professionalism also positively impacts the atmosphere and efficiency of health care institutions.
Encouraging and maintaining a culture of respect, cooperation, honesty, and integrity allows nurses to inspire close-knit team collaboration, unified by the common goal of providing the best possible care for patients. By promoting communication and compassion, professionalism may reduce the risks associated with workplace conflict that can result from biases or personal differences.
Professionalism fosters the development of many admirable soft skills. Nurses may learn these skills through their life and work experience, and develop them over the course of their careers. Examples include:. The development of professionalism in nursing is an ongoing process; there are always new and changing areas in which to improve. In the workplace, nurse professionals should self-reflect on their actions and integrate new, experience-based knowledge into their daily practices.
When it comes to education, advanced nursing degree programs are an excellent way to provide additional avenues to sharpen professional skills. Earning a DNP is a valuable pursuit for nurses who wish to elevate their leadership skills and develop new clinical expertise as their careers mature.
Regis College helps career driven nurses to take the next step in their careers with the online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Wherever you are in your career and wherever you want to be, look to Regis for a direct path, no matter your education level. Fill out the form to learn more about our program options or get started on your application today. Skip to main content.
What Is Professionalism in Nursing? Professionalism in Nursing: The Basics In nursing, professionalism reflects the act of providing quality patient care while honoring the values of respect, advocacy, and responsibility. C ognitive — The cognitive type of professionalism focuses on the ability to continually learn about professional conduct and apply this growing base of knowledge in work settings. Ultimately, nurses who practice this skill should develop the key tools they need to prioritize and make decisions effectively.
A ttitudinal — The attitudinal dimension of nursing professionalism involves the attitudes and ideas that guide nurses as they perform their job duties and advance through their careers. Ideally, the attitudes of nurses should align with practical standards and the broader goals of their organizations.
Not sure which association to join? Many associations are now holding online or virtual meetings so networking and participation is still possible. Take courses or go to seminars check if your employer reimburses. As with nursing associations, education courses are now online and attendance dates and times may be flexible.
Sigma Nursing has a web page with links to nursing specialty associations. Another way to make progress within the education realm is to advance your degree. Whatever you decide, be it learning a new skill or obtaining a new degree, either option is a valuable investment in yourself and your nursing career.
In the long run, you are advancing the profession by your additional knowledge and by being a well-rounded nurse. Mentoring can mean on-the-job or more formally through a college or vo-tech school. By teaching what we know, the mentor actually learns more through questions, explaining procedures and processes.
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