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

[nicunana]

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.

I think that you may have identified part of the difference of opinion between the OP & some of the respondents.

Although I don't speak up & say anything, I silently cringe when a waiter or waitress addresses me as "you guys" or when anyone replies "no problem" to my Thank You. I don't consider myself a guy, and even a casual glance should make that obvious to the speaker. And as far as I'm concerned, the only gracious reply to Thank You is You're Welcome. Of course it wasn't a problem! If it was, I would have been apologizing instead of thanking you! I know that these things are petty and well accepted by the current generation. I also know that no harm is intended, but many of the patients you will be caring for and their families, are even older than I am, and have vivid fond memories of more professional speech & behavior.

It never hurts to err on the side of courtesy. If you really give it a decent trial, after awhile it will come as naturally as breathing and you won't think it's phony at all.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

You're totally missing the point.

Please get it together.

Thanks.

[GaMBA]

No matter what profession you're in, those are great tips! Just try to follow them and trust me, you will thank yourself (and your preceptor!) later :-)

[GaMBA]

Epac, just remember that you only have ONE time to make a great first impression. After that, no matter what you do, people will remember you for how you were when they first met you.

If you are at work and come across as unpleasant or unprofessional, believe me, people will take note of that. You may think you are "keeping it real" or whatever, but others could just see that as "lack of professionalism." First impressions can make all the difference in things like job promotions, job opportunities and in how people treat you and refer to you when speaking to others about you (which they do).

[Rabid Response]

I think your ego is a little bruised because you think your preceptor may be questioning your professionalism, which always feels more personal than someone questioning one's clinical skills. When your anger recedes you may realize that, while the article isn't perfect, it does contain some solid, practical advice.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

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.

Your employer is paying you to be nice to the people you encounter in your work life. You may not be overjoyed at the thought of a new admission, but you have to welcome the patient and family as if it is the highlight of your shift. If you are coming from an empathetic place and note that they've been sick for a week, and just spent 6 hours in the ER getting tested and poked at it gets a lot easier. If you are too tired to care, you still need to be extremely nice.

That goes too for a doc that needs to find a chart, or a visitor who needs to find the bathroom, or (imagine!) a student who can't figure out patient/chart flow and sits in front of a computer while they look at a reference book. Be nice, explain the issue, say(and really try to mean it) that the unit is confusing, and you'd appreciate if they'd "xyz."

Take the initiative and introduce yourself if your preceptor doesn't, because it's professional, and because you'll make a good impression on someone whose help you will certainly need in the next few weeks.

Professionalism is very self serving, because it makes you look intelligent, hard working, and polite. It'll really give you a leg up as a new nurse when you have so much to learn.

[Blackheartednurse]

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.

Wow very professional!! Hope you''l never have to serve me a salad or I'l think you poisoned it!!

[epac104]

I think your ego is a little bruised because you think your preceptor may be questioning your professionalism, which always feels more personal than someone questioning one's clinical skills. When your anger recedes you may realize that, while the article isn't perfect, it does contain some solid, practical advice.

Slightly offended, but more irritated because I know my preceptor and I don't care for each other (she's entirely Type A, everything done a certain way, etc. and I'm hardly one to rush or freak out). Thus, I think she's missing the point: she excels at professionalism but fails at being respectful and encouraging. Her tone is pleasant when things are smooth, patronizing and quick to chastise when there's a speedbump. (e.g. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? The tubing touched the ground - now I have to get more tubing!") Yeah, ok, I'll just walk 20 feet and grab some new tubing. It wasn't worth the tone. The list goes on.

So part of why "professionalism" and my preceptor's gesture drives me nuts and makes me defensive and irritated is because I don't think professionalism gets "it". I'm pretty much beaten into apathy. It's annoying.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Slightly offended, but more irritated because I know my preceptor and I don't care for each other (she's entirely Type A, everything done a certain way, etc. and I'm hardly one to rush or freak out). Thus, I think she's missing the point: she excels at professionalism but fails at being respectful and encouraging. Her tone is pleasant when things are smooth, patronizing and quick to chastise when there's a speedbump. (e.g. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? The tubing touched the ground - now I have to get more tubing!") Yeah, ok, I'll just walk 20 feet and grab some new tubing. It wasn't worth the tone. The list goes on.

So part of why "professionalism" and my preceptor's gesture drives me nuts and makes me defensive and irritated is because I don't think professionalism gets "it". I'm pretty much beaten into apathy. It's annoying.

So in other words, you feel that her giving you this article was hypocritical. I get that. I can also see how you would take it as a barb, it can be hard to get past that initial sting....I don't know if you'd say you feel embarrassed, but I would. I'll admit that.

Be the bigger person, if you feel that it's a personal issue rather than something done in order to truly help you. The only behavior you have any control over is your own, so be professional, be respectful, be encouraging, be responsive. This will serve you well in the future, there's more at stake from it than just your relationship with your preceptor. You can't change her, but you can be the best that YOU can be, and that'll carry you far in your career.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

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.

I see nothing wrong with what you said because it absolutely makes sense. It's not just your personally preferred way to do things.

Why you got a 10-minute talk about the hissy fit the doctor threw is beyond my understanding.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Slightly offended, but more irritated because I know my preceptor and I don't care for each other (she's entirely Type A, everything done a certain way, etc. and I'm hardly one to rush or freak out). Thus, I think she's missing the point: she excels at professionalism but fails at being respectful and encouraging. Her tone is pleasant when things are smooth, patronizing and quick to chastise when there's a speedbump. (e.g. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? The tubing touched the ground - now I have to get more tubing!") Yeah, ok, I'll just walk 20 feet and grab some new tubing. It wasn't worth the tone. The list goes on.

Everyone has a different personality, but let's take this particular incident and break it down.

Did you not notice the tubing touching the floor? What if an uncapped port touched the floor and then you contributed to an infection in the patient because you never noticed? The patient is then sicker than when they came in. Then, there's the money aspect: under new Medicare rules, the hospital has to eat the cost of nosocomial infections. Plus, that tubing you have to replace costs money, adds to the TONS of medical waste we create per year, and wastes time getting new tubing.

If this example is indicative of what is going on between you two, I'm not sure if you see the bigger picture here. She might very well "freak out" at every little thing, but you don't seem to be understanding the consequences of your own attitude toward your work.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

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 [/quote

I actually say those words out loud, but only to my fellow nurses, in the nursing station where I cannot be overheard. On night shift, when all is quiet, pts are asleep, family is gone, and doctors are off the floor, I have been known to wheel myself down the hall in a wheel chair. It's silly and wildly unprofessional, but it makes me smile, and lowers my stress level. Would I do it in front of an MD? NO! Would I do it in front of family members? NO! Would I do it in front of the CNE? @#$% NO! I'm afraid it's probably been caught on:eek: camera though.

I would not want an MD, family member, or the boss to see me in that w/c because it's unprofessional. Most people view behavior as indicators of ability. What message would my behavior be sending if viewed by a pt or their family?