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

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 9, 2010

1.
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!

i was thinking pretty much the same thing -- there may have been a particular reason why your preceptor gave you the article to read. she thinks enough of you to try to help, and that was a relatively easy way to have "that conversation" with you. think of how much more difficult it would have been -- on you and on her both -- if she'd had to sit you down and speak to you on each of those points. please do take those tips to heart, and think about whether or not you need to make some changes to improve your professional image and your success in the workplace.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 9, 2010

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.

i wasn't there, so i don't know whether there was anything wrong with what you said or, possibly the way you said it. if you were annoyed and it showed -- whether you meant it to or not -- i can understand the ten minute talk. but you're the only one who was there, so you're the only one who can evaluate everyone's advice. i hope you take the time to examine your own part a little bit more closely.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 9, 2010

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.

nicely put. but i'll go one farther -- perhaps the preceptor "freaks out over every little thing" because the orientee doesn't seem to get it. if you butt heads with your preceptor, you're going to lose every time. it's the preceptor who has influence over your continued employment.

maxthecat · Apr 9, 2010

maxthecat;
I'm interested- in your hospital how would you word the request to make it appropriate?

Lose the "hey" and address the doctor by title. Say something like, "Excuse me, Dr X. I notice you're checking more patients, but you're still signed in under my name. Could you please sign out and sign in as yourself so that I don't get in trouble for accessing patients I'm not assigned to? Thank you."

Now if the physician is irritated because a mere staff nurse dared to address him and remind him of a problem and if a preceptor feels a 10 minute lecture is warranted because "we mustn't upset the doctors," that's a whole other issue. Just remember, though, if YOU always present yourself as polite and professional then those other people are the ones who come off looking less than professional to the rest of the world. People who witness the exchange will be thinking, "what a jerk" about them and "wow, she handled that really well" about you.

elkpark · Apr 11, 2010

maxthecat;
I'm interested- in your hospital how would you word the request to make it appropriate?

Lose the "hey" and address the doctor by title.

Actually, that was my first response to the question, also -- any way that doesn't start with "hey, ..." We're adults working in a professional setting, not teenagers hanging out at the mall.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2010

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"

7 tips to improve your professional etiquette." - OR Nurse, March 2010
1. Introduce yourself. You won't feel awkward during conversations if you're already ready to introduce yourself. Don't just stand next to someone waiting to be introduced. Be ready to introduce colleagues as well. (How can these last 2 sentences co-exist?)

Hello Pt X. My name is Pepper the Cat and I'll be your nurse today. This is Student J who is following me today.

2. Have a confident handshake. Take into consideration cultural preferences and sensitivities. (Huh? They're in your house. When in Rome...)

Some cultures do not shake hands. There is one culture (its escaping me right now) where the OK sign we use is equivent to flipping your middle finger.

5. Cultivate a positive work environment. Be polite and courteous to your colleagues. (So THAT'S what I've been forgetting to do!)

Always respect your co-workers. Even those you do not like.

6. Dress for success. (Especially in nursing, when you may get blood, vomit or feces on your clothing at any given moment with the patient.)

There is a difference between a tidy uniform and an untidy uniform. And hair, makeup etc.

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.

Perhaps you can use them when your are not pleased to meet the person?

fiveofpeep · Apr 12, 2010

Lose the "hey" and address the doctor by title. Say something like, "Excuse me, Dr X. I notice you're checking more patients, but you're still signed in under my name. Could you please sign out and sign in as yourself so that I don't get in trouble for accessing patients I'm not assigned to? Thank you."
Now if the physician is irritated because a mere staff nurse dared to address him and remind him of a problem and if a preceptor feels a 10 minute lecture is warranted because "we mustn't upset the doctors," that's a whole other issue. Just remember, though, if YOU always present yourself as polite and professional then those other people are the ones who come off looking less than professional to the rest of the world. People who witness the exchange will be thinking, "what a jerk" about them and "wow, she handled that really well" about you.

thank you. this is very helpful...much more helpful than a 10 minute lecture about leaving doctors alone.

fiveofpeep · Apr 12, 2010

I'm not maxthecat but.
Pardon me, but Risk Management is cracking down on HIPAA violations and I am not authorized to view the data that accessing.......pardon, but you don't remember your code....Let's call IT and have them clarify it......Oh, you never have to use your code and don't feel that you should "have" to remember...well, the hospital doesn't want to pay the heavy fines and fire personnel for HIPAA violations....That's why everyone was issued there own personal code.
And what I am thinking and don't say.....
(Oh, you think that you should be treated "more special" because you are an MD - and you feel like taking up your and my valuable time to impress me with that...would you like me to call the office of the medical director so we can discuss this issue....etc.)
I personally think that the MD lectured because s/he was "caught" doing something that she was not supposed to do, and decided to be a jerk about it. And no amount of "therapeutic communication" would help that issue.

thanks :) that does sound better. I guess my main problem was that I said "hey" and I didnt address the doctor by doctor (because I was unsure of who she was and a badge wasnt visible). Next time Ill make sure to figure out who I am talking to too.

elkpark · Apr 12, 2010

thanks :) that does sound better. I guess my main problem was that I said "hey" and I didnt address the doctor by doctor (because I was unsure of who she was and a badge wasnt visible). Next time Ill make sure to figure out who I am talking to too.

Well, one of the good things about physicians is that you can never go wrong just referring to her/him as "Doctor" even when you don't know her/his name. :) ("Excuse me, Doctor, I notice that ...")

aburlar · Apr 14, 2010

Honestly, I think you are missing the point. It's never wrong to want to improve your professional demeanor and ways that you communicate, verbally and non-verbally (aka - professionalism). Perhaps you are perfect professionally, and whoever forwarded it to you meant it as a message to the group as a whole.

MrsEstrada · Apr 14, 2010

I think you're missing it. I am a second career nurse. I worked in Corporate finance for 12 years. I am shocked and amazed everyday that I work. I see a tremendous lack of professionalism between all disciplines on the hospital unit, but Nurses and aides have the biggest problem with how they speak, act and carry themselves. The article outlines just the very basics that should be expected. So much more should be included in that article, but as a profession, we can learn how to be better one step at a time. We can be polished, polite professionals in all circumstances. Consider it a bonus that she cares about your professional development enough to introduce this aspect of being a well-rounded nurse to you, especially as it relates to the next steps in your career, ie, Master's level education, management, teaching.

BlueDevilRN1 · Apr 14, 2010

I have been an RN for over 15 years and have had it with rude unprofessional nurses. I have been made fun of because I ALWAYS introduce myself first thing to my patient and include the fact that I am an RN. Have you ever been a patient and unless you've got 20/20 vision, you can't always read the staff member ID badge and you are wondering just who in the heck this person is??!

I have had coworkers YELL for another staff member down the hall--my solution was to ignore them and make them come to me when I was in a room providing patient care. My personal favorite is for a Nurse Supervisor to get in the face of a fellow RN and SCREAM at them in front of God, coworkers, and patients.....now, maybe now you can see why your preceptor gave you this bulletin.

Kindness and common sense are NOT something that can be taught--either you've got it or you don't!!!!