Professionalism Award at nursing school

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So, my school has this award they give out at the end of the semesters. Its a professionalism award, I have now applied twice. I have also not been chosen twice. :/

The first time I applied for the award I knew I was not going to win, there was a gentleman far more professional than I, however this time I really thought I had a good chance of winning. I am on time for classes, and always prepared. Always taking the time to help a friend even when I myself may not have the time.

I was told that a girl in my class, same semester, and who I have become very fond of was chosen for the award. I am so terribly bummed out about this that I have been an emotional roller coaster today. I want to support her and I will, but I wanted this award so bad. I can apply again next semester but at this point its been twice and they haven't chosen me nor have they told me why or what I could do better......

I was really counting in this to lift my spirits. I get good grades, I had a 3.89 GPA coming into the program and met all the criteria.... (soooo bummed right now)

The reason I thought I would get the award rather than the other girls is because they are always saying cuss words and interrupting class. Just recently the girl who won was caught by the Instructor flipping another girl off that sits behind her...She has also been to a liquor store with the branded uniform on....I think im more confused than anything. I conduct myself and have high standards for clinical rotations.....So I was wondering should I re apply and fret about not being chosen again next semester or should I tough it out and just do it.....

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You should be supporting your classmates...

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Certain awards I had to apply for because I qualified for the award. Those are things like academic awards and certain service awards, such as being in a leadership role in school. Other awards are given because you earn it but someone else nominates you for it. I suspect this is one of those awards. Were I to apply/nominate myself for such an award, I would expect to be rejected because you're basically saying "Look at me, I'm Professional" when your conduct should be what catches someone's eye for being worthy of such an award. The most precious award I earned is one that means very little to others. I earned a "Generous Spirit" award and it was created specifically for me by the instructors of my school. How did I earn it? I was just being "me" and doing what I normally do every day, all day. To this day I have no idea who initiated this but I do know that the vote among the instructors was unanimous.

Don't worry about what others in your classes are doing or what awards they're applying for. Your own conduct will speak for itself. If you're truly worthy of an award, you'll earn because someone else will notice and nominate you.

Of course if this award is one that YOU must apply for, then your conduct the entire time should reflect a high level of professionalism in all areas and should not be something you obviously work at, you just do it. Even one moment of grousing about someone else's conduct/professionalism (or lack thereof in your opinion) could be seen or overheard by someone that evaluates you for such an award and you'll again be denied.

I don't treat my patients well and in a professional (and even human) manner just because I'm seeking recognition. I do it because it's "me" and it's how I would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. I've had patients thank me for how I treat them and have had one or two write letters or say they want to, simply because I treated them well. It's awesome when that happens, but I never ask nor expect it because it's just what I do.

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Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your reply. Yes this was one of those awards where you have to nominate yourself via a letter. I hate talking about myself, I think I seem self centered of I talk about myself, but the Instructors have it this way because they dont want to think they are playing favorites, but then at the end, they all vote for the people who applied. I have since learned the choice was a difficult one and came down to my letter for who won. I guess I needed to have the letter double spaced and all formal...makes sense....

I am who I am in school, out of school, at home, or even at the grocery store and that will not change over some award. I know I am professional and I know I conduct myself in a professional manner. I do not want to change just to be able to get an award. I felt like I earned the award, but I am sure the other student thought so too.

Again, thank you for your reply.

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I don't treat my patients well and in a professional (and even human) manner just because I'm seeking recognition. I do it because it's "me" and it's how I would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. I've had patients thank me for how I treat them and have had one or two write letters or say they want to, simply because I treated them well. It's awesome when that happens, but I never ask nor expect it because it's just what I do.

This is what caught me most of all!!! I know the reasons I want to become a nurse and some award is not going to change that!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Maybe focus on something else.

The reason I say this, is that I think a professionalism award is a strange thing. Everyone should behave professionally while in school. It's like a minimum. If you all have to wear black shoes, you wouldn't give out a black shoes award. Because that's weird. I feel the same about a professionalism award. I would think, what does that really mean?

I think your ambition is a good thing, but this is not the greatest prize around.

Are there any other awards that interest you? How about scholarships, internships, extra-curriculars, student government, clubs, humanitarian organizations?

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I am actually in the a Student Nursing Organization. I worked hard to get where I am today and just thought I'd like to be recognized for it....i know I know nursing you will never be thanked or recognized, but it just meant a lot to me. THANK YOU all for helping me feel better.

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Are there any other awards that interest you? How about scholarships, internships, extra-curriculars, student government, clubs, humanitarian organizations?

We have a very small school so this is literally the only award they give out except pinning. I was once involved with a student club of Ambassadors it was "the face of the school" meant for high GPA attained a and we gave tours and helped with all graduations and school functions...I felt honored to be able to be part of that organization...

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I have since learned the choice was a difficult one and came down to my letter for who won. I guess I needed to have the letter double spaced and all formal...makes sense....

It looks like you took yourself out of the running by not submitting a very professional-looking application. It's pretty common to have expectations for formatting, writing ability, etc. in an application process. Now you have learned. Make a more professional presentation next time. Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU.

It's great that you're being so ambitious and it's only normal to feel bummed out when you don't reach all of your goals. Perhaps changing your perspective and future ambitions would make you happier. You can't control what professors always think of you nor your patients and classmates, but you can control whether or not you meet your own personal goals. Many of us in nursing school have similar personalities, those over-achievers with a type A personality. You have to remember to not take academics to heart all the time and find additional things that give you that "boost" you're after.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

Frankly, a professionalism award is nice to get in school but I can't it carrying much weight outside of school. It's probably a way to indirectly promote professional behavior among students by your educators and clinical educators.

Just because you didn't get it doesn't mean you are professional. It's nice to get gold stars for our work but in the real world, nursing is very thankless job. Expect a career without very many gold stars but we carry ourselves in a professional manner.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Frankly, I'm very jaded about awards of any kind. Sometimes they are given to the person most deserving, but quite often not. I once had a coworker who won the "most professional appearance" award during Nurses' Week. I never saw her without a big wad of gum being chewed with her mouth open.

If your award was based in any way on your written application, that gives you something to work with. Your original post started with "So, my school has this award..." That may be coming across as schoolgirl-speak. A more "professional" way to begin might be "My school has an award that is given at the end of each semester." You may not see the difference, but others do. I think a lot of people are unaware of how they might be undermining themselves with their speech and writing skills. In a very tight competition for a particular job, it may be the deciding factor.

But back to awards: don't waste energy looking for awards to validate you. You conduct yourself professionally because that's who you are and that's what you have to offer to your patients, coworkers and employers. When you know that about yourself, you don't need an award.

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