Whatever "professionalism" is, it's driving me nuts.

Nurse_Hagatha · Apr 7, 2010

the thing is, what my preceptor calls "professionalism" is what i call phony, glib, and an overall a disrespect to my presence. if you honestly feel pleased to meet somebody, then people wouldn't be writing "tips" on how to overcompensate.
does this article, summarized by these tips, send the right message of what "professionalism" is? are they missing the point, or am i missing the point??

you kind of sound like the rooster who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow. try to be humble and learn from those who are ahead of you in this profession.

drgnflydggr · Apr 7, 2010

You're missing the point. Drop the JD Salinger nonsense and join the working world. Or don't. I don't care. See, our interaction is not a professional interaction, so I don't have to abide by any of the aforementioned rules. However, were we meeting at my place of employment, I would extend to you all of the courtesies listed above. You can go on believing that you're too "real" to buy into "professionalism" if you like. I'll see you when you hand my salad to me through the drive-thru window.

cokeforbreakfast · Apr 7, 2010

I'm sure that it felt like a slap in the face to be presented with the article by your preceptor. However, it may be a bit like having her point out you have a little something stuck in your teeth...kind of embarassing at the time, but it's kind of nice she thought enough of you to say something...

I think she really IS trying to help. Think of it from her perspective...she wasn't sure how to approach the issue, but she wants you to succeed. She could have ignored it, she could have been snide, she could have given you a "talk" that would have been embarassing for you both. Instead she opted for the article.

I find that all of the listed points are things that I do at job interviews/in my professional interactions to present a professional demeanor. However, I don't consider it phony because it's just a part of what I see as my professional personality (though I also introduce myself, have a great handshake, and am courteous when I meet someone at the bar too!)

I'll tell you it is a tough, TOUGH job market, and you'll need every edge you can get. The reason they write these tips down is because we all need reminders, and we all have room for improvement.

Take her advice in the spirit in which it was given.

Just my opinion,

Cokeforbreakfast

elkpark · Apr 7, 2010

1. I don't see any reason the last two sentences shouldn't "co-exist." Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Be ready to introduce yourself and others with you to someone joining the group.

2. In healthcare, we don't tell our clients, "When in Rome ..." and expect them to accommodate to our culture (even though they are in "our house"). We strive to understand and accommodate their cultural/ethnic/religious needs and preferences as much as we reasonably can. That's our responsibility as "helping professionals," in addition to being simple good manners (plus, it's mandated by law ...) Has that not been explained to you before?

3. Communication in healthcare settings, by healthcare providers with clients (and, for the most part, with colleagues), is supposed to be therapeutic/professional in nature and focused on the clients' needs, not casual chit-chat, and esp. not on topics about which clients (or colleagues) may have strong feelings (different from yours) -- religion, politics, etc. Again, this sounds perfectly reasonable to me, and, unfortunately, plenty of people in healthcare need to be reminded of this now and again.

4. Part of therapeutic communication in healthcare settings is being aware of your body language and what nonverbal messages you are communicating to clients (and others). Arms across your chest or on your hips are generally perceived as somewhat threatening or intimidating postures. It is best to keep your hands loose at your sides (not in your pockets). This sort of thing is esp. important when dealing with highly charged situations.

5. I imagine most of us can benefit from being reminded of this once in a while ... :)

6. Even in acute care settings, with potential body fluid "encounters," appearance is important and, again, communicates (nonverbally) more to others than most of us realize. One can look neat, polished, and professional while working in an acute care environment -- do you think that is an excuse for coming to work looking like something the cat dragged in? (Although I've noticed that many nurses do consider that a valid excuse for looking like something the cat dragged in ... My personal opinion on this is that it's part of the reason nurses aren't taken more seriously as professionals.)

(7. Oops, don't have anything to offer on this one, other than that I'm sorry the author's grammar isn't up to your standards.)

I don't see any problem with the "tips," and I think they do a decent job of quickly summarizing ways to present a professional appearance at work. Given your dismissive reaction to them noted here, I can't help but wonder if there was a particular reason why your preceptor gave you the article to read (hint, hint). I would encourage you to think seriously about what kind of image you are projecting in the clinical setting, and whether your preceptor was trying to hint politely that you need to make some changes. I'm not saying I'm sure that's the case; just that it can't hurt to think about it.

Best wishes!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 7, 2010

The thing is, what my preceptor calls "professionalism" is what I call phony, glib, and an overall a disrespect to my presence. If you honestly feel pleased to meet somebody, then people wouldn't be writing "tips" on how to overcompensate.

:confused:

What do think nursing care is all about?....am I misreading your comments?

From 2003 ANA's Nursing's Social Policy Statement:

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

Our focus of care is on another individual, not ourselves. As such, it's imperative that we keep their needs in the forefront and our own in the background. What we do or don't do, how we say things or project ourselves makes a huge difference to overall success of our patient interactions, care and dialog with other professionals and patients families. All of the tips you've been given have served me well throughout my career.

This doen't mean we should be a doormat,but always think how our actions could be misconstrued, especially by someone not of our own culture or from different area of USA which has different standards/language idioms.

epac104 · Apr 7, 2010

you kind of sound like the rooster who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow. try to be humble and learn from those who are ahead of you in this profession.

it's odd, though, because if i were to write that "these are the 7 things people should do to address me," then i could see where your comment would be dead on correct. rather, i'm saying "scratch that... just treat me like you respect my time and my input. wear blue jeans if you want."

i want to point out 1 thing though: the 7 points above make no major mention of respect, tone, etc. some of the posts above are assuming i'm an impolite and disrespectful person, but really the article made little mention of those qualities. the point i was making is that the article discusses compensating for those qualities, and it bugs me.

getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 7, 2010

I don't agree with everything you said, but I think I understand the points you're trying to make, and lots of teaching points are aimed at the lowest common denominator because anyone may be in the audience. If something doesn't apply to you, then you can probably just ignore it.

There are plenty of people I've worked with who needed to read that article. Anytime I've heard a co-worker tell the physician the patient is "chillin' like a villain", dancing around in the unit, trying to learn a song for karaoke instead of completing an admission note or catching up on vitals, etc.....those are all unprofessional things I've witnessed. the nurse in question maybe unprofessional to the point where their own behavior doesn't embarass them...but it embarasses the rest of us for them.

fiveofpeep · Apr 7, 2010

I agree that your tone is a little indignant, but I also agree about the whole professionalism confusion thing. Im a new grad and Im also young with not so much professional experience.

Last night I politely asked a physician to sign out of my account so it wouldnt look like I was perusing through patient's (who arent mine) charts. I think I said "hey, do you think you could just sign out of my account because it looks like I am surfing through people's charts? thank you." but she was annoyed by it and I got a 10 minute talk about making a good relationship with physicians.

Now Im just like, well I dont know how to improve because I thought I was being totally polite. It's like they tell you to do one thing (not be a handmaid) but then they tell you another. IDK. I also think some of our behavior is generational too.

Just try to be receptive to the learning experience and be grateful that you are getting constructive criticism so you can improve. Im glad my thing was brought to my attention and listened attentively, even if I thought it was a little silly.

fiveofpeep · Apr 7, 2010

There are plenty of people I've worked with who needed to read that article. Anytime I've heard a co-worker tell the physician the patient is "chillin' like a villain"

haha classy and hilarious! this reminds me of how in my head I sometimes think, "man this patient's bp is crappy" and I have to make sure not to say that one out loud

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 7, 2010

It's odd, though, because if I were to write that "these are the 7 things people should do to address me," then I could see where your comment would be dead on correct. Rather, I'm saying "scratch that... just treat me like you respect my time and my input. Wear blue jeans if you want."
I want to point out 1 thing though: the 7 points above make no major mention of respect, tone, etc. Some of the posts above are assuming I'm an impolite and disrespectful person, but really the article made little mention of those qualities. The point I was making is that the article discusses compensating for those qualities, and it bugs me.

now you are making a little more sense.....

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 7, 2010

It's very obvious to me (simply from OP's post) why the preceptor felt it necessary to offer the article.