Can attitudes be taught?

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 13, 2003

Originally posted by ohbet
There is alot of unprofessional behavior among nurses,nurses gossiping,putting others down behind their backs,backbiting,unsupportiveness,etc.,and Im guilty of it also.
Is it possible to give an inservice on what is professional behavior?
Perhaps education would curb that part of us,the bad side,and bring out our better part.
Any ideas on how an Inservice on what is professionalism would be taught?

I believe we all know what "professionalism" is, Oramar. It's not that we don't know... it's more that we simply choose to give in to our sorryness... we choose our behavior.. whether good or bad.

I do believe if there were more rapid and firm consequences to this unprofessional behavior... and CONSISTENTLY so, it might begin to wane. It should be made quite clear at every level that this behavior is unprofessional and will NOT be tolerated by anyone at anyrime. Then acted upon when it does occur.

Just my thoughts.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2003

I wish there was an appropriate way to have an inservice. Maybe you need to sit everyone down and make them watch the "fish" videos?

I get angry at myself when I find myself listening and participating in gossip. I would like to think I'm a supportive team player though.

I can only suggest you be the example. Sometimes it can be infectious. But most likely will make you a target of gossip "Look at her, she's thinks she's so much better than every else...." and loose some friends, but at least they will be leaving everyone else alone.

I left an environment over a year ago because of what you've described. You're going to find gossip wherever you go. But the other stuff isn't as rampant everywhere.

Good luck. Just be the light and shine on.

nursemaa · Dec 14, 2003

Basically, attitudes are extremely difficult (impossible?) to change. But you can set behavioral expectations and require people to meet them or face disciplinary action. Some of "my" nurses behave in a very unprofessional manner at times. They always have some justification for that behavior: I was really stressed out, she started it, I've got alot going on at home, the docs/my coworkers are worse than me...etc, etc, etc. AAAGH!!

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · Dec 14, 2003

I think that attitudes can be influenced. For instance, someone who normally wouldnt gossip may join in on the conversation if everyone around starts. On my unit we have a nurse who refuses to hear the others talking bad of one another...she is a motherly figure about 68 years old. If she hears a nurse talking bad about another nurse she will call them down. She has by no means put a stop to the talking on our unit but no one does it around her out of respect. I think some of the backbiting has ceased because it has been brought to our attention. So to answer the question...I think that attitudes can be influenced, at times anyway

nursethis · Dec 18, 2003

I'm thinking gossip and backbiting increase when overall morale is low, a manifestation of dissatisfaction with the whole environment at a particular place of work. Team building and a sharper focus on morale by management can serve to decrease this behavior immensely.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Dec 18, 2003

Get your EAP involved, they had an inservice for our ER when no one seemed to be able to get along. It helped.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 18, 2003

This is a good thread. I appreciate everyone's comments above and heartily agree.

I believe attitudes can be "learned," but probqbly not through a simple inservice. What we are talking about here is changing the culture of a work environment. As others have suggested, that takes time and a complex set of interventions that include such things as: a clear set of expectations ... an understanding that there are negative consequences for bad behavior ... postive role modeling ... reinforcement of good behavior by people with influence ... etc.

Consistently reinforcing the positive expectations over time is the best and perhaps only way I know to change a culture.

I'd be interesting in reading more of what others have to say on this topic.

llg

live4today, RN · Dec 18, 2003

IMHPO........Professionalism and positive attitudes begin from the time a child begins to observe his or her environment at which time they learn to adapt to for survival purposes. Each member of a family.........depending on position in the family........develops a manner of dealing with life as it is lived in their presence. One can raise a professionally positive child, and some children must retrain themselves to become a positive professionally behaved individual.

What is needed the most in society, work environments, and on the homefront is more patience and understanding of the human condition, and how each one of us responds or reacts to any given situation that comes along based on our initial exposures and learned survival tips.

The birth order of each person often times determines the tenacity of each person's ability to handle life as it comes to them. Some build up walls within themselves as a means of protection. We didn't just all become the happy or the disgruntled employees we sometimes are when we become of age to work for someone. That training started long before we reached the legal age to become an employee.

Having said that, bad habits are hard to break, and when giving classes on Attitude and Professionalism, it will require taking into consideration the above mentioned challenges when dealing with the "human condition". :)

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 18, 2003

yes attitudes can be TAUGHT....

there is a saying also:

"ATTITUDES can BE CAUGHT; is YOURS worth catching?"

I think that is apt, as well and invites serious self-examination. often what we put out comes back to us in spade....not always, but it's worth considering!