Professionalism in Nursing

[malinne]

There's always a lot of talk (especially at administrative levels) about "professionalism" in nursing. A recent question here was "What can we do to promote professionalism?"

I'm not going to influence responses by expressing my opinions...I'd really like to hear your ideas.

[Town & Country]

The most obvious answer is to treat each other like professionals. If administration wants "professional" nurses - stop treating nurses like waitresses and glorified P.R. reps.

I don't think ANY administration TRULY wants "professional" nurses, because THAT implies that a nurse has a conscience and a set of standards --- all of which are dangerous to the current patient nurse ratios.

I think administration's goal is to strip any and all professionalism from nurses and the sooner they can do it, the better they like it.

That's why they often will hire a new grad instead of an experienced RN.

[WVUturtle514]

I think that in order for nurses to be seen as professionals, there will have to be changes made in the way the public views nurses. There are still large numbers of people out there who are completely clueless as to what nurses actually do and therefore, they view us as the "hand-maids" of the medical profession. I think EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC about the actual roles and duties of nurses is VITAL to the transformation of the profession. Once the public is made aware of the education and training that goes into becoming a nurse, as well as seeing that nurses don't simply wipe bottoms and get you fresh linens, maybe then will we be considered professionals. Just one of my many opinions.....interesting topic....

[indigo girl]

For me, taking our responsibilities to each other to another level, would be indicative of the growth, maturity, and professionalism. Respectful mentoring, support, and constructive criticism are the hallmarks of professionals. I read this past week in the New Grad Forum, of a nurse who admitted to being ashamed of neglecting to help a seizing patient. We could debate all day about what she should have done, what could have happened to that patient, why she left him...Nurses replying to that post did ask and address all of that. And she was given useful advice for that situation as well as for coming clean with it. I applaud the efforts of those who attempted to instruct, and support her. However, I had to shake my head in dismay at the need for some nurses to further shame her. We are long overdue for a change in that model of commication. It is not OK to tell another nurse that she should be deeply ashamed. Even in a supervisory role, this would not be acceptable. Experienced nurses answering a New Grad Support Forum should not be talking down to anyone. Stating your opinion that the new grad's inaction might be considered neglect is alot different from telling her that you would never trust someone like her again. While that might be true for you, communicating in such a way is disrespectful, not useful, and cruel. That we can tolerate that kind of behavior towards any nurse, but in particular to someone who already was distressed, disgraces all of us. We have to stop

and think about how we are treating each other. How many new grads will be willing to come clean if they have made a serious mistake, knowing that they

may be castigated so severely. Correct the behavior, mentor, stop shaming people because when you do it, it then becomes all about you and your needs, not the other persons.

[WVUturtle514]

I agree with the above poster. When I started as a new grad in the ICU I had a preceptor who only focused on the things I did wrong and was constantly correcting me and pointing out my mistakes. Because of this, I was constantly watching my back b/c I was scared to death I was going to make a mistake and be chastized for it and it severely restricted my ability to learn. I took it for about a month before going to my nurse manager about it. She promptly gave me a new preceptor who taught by encouragement and example.....needless to say, I did wonderfully with that preceptor and was on my own within two months!!! I think we should encourage, not discourage!!!

[Geeg]

Whenever admin brings up professionalism, it is usually to persuade nurses to take on more responsibility for less or no compensation.

[SharonH, RN]

I think the most important way to promote professionalism is to role model professional behaviors.

[nsg01]

I think the most important way to promote professionalism is to role model professional behaviors.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I am a RN student I have yet to see my instructors demonstrate professionalism when addressing their students.

[mrsallen]

Dress professionally. Stop wearing clothes with loud patterns and cartoon characters on them.

[zenman]

Dress professionally. Stop wearing clothes with loud patterns and cartoon characters on them.

Don't tell me that...or Patch Adams, M.D. and his Gesundheit! Institute!:biggringi

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

I'll disagree with the uniform thing too. :) I work at a children's hospital and it goes a long way to make the kids feel better. There are plenty of Drs. who have decorated their lab coats as well, to make patients feel more at ease.

[sanchy]

Hi. Im an RN student and my teachers are the most improfessional people in the whole world. They constantly sit down at the nurses station to gossip, they publiclly humiliate us in front of other health professionals and even the patients how can nurses get any credibility with people like that. Ive never seen say a doctor trainee being treated like that its unheard us but us were like cattle its okay! its so degrading. Our teachers are doctor wannabes on a power trip. ive met very few people who are actually proud of being nurses.