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

[epac104]

My nursing preceptor gave me an article on professionalism from a nursing periodical yesterday on our previous shift (hint, hint) and added that it's something everybody should read. Ok, so I read it:

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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?)

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

3. Keep conversations on track. Stay away from controversial topics. (Why are you assuming I'm naturally tactless, an empty bucket needing to be filled with your "tips" ?)

4. Watch your body language. Stand tall, with your shoulders back. Don't put your hands on your hips or cross them over your chest. (Then what am I supposed to do with them?)

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

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.)

7. Present a positive, professional image. (Don't use the term to define the term.)

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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??

[liloadro]

Gotta respond... YA, you're missing the point. Think of it as constructive critism: swallow your pride, learn from it, move on. Everybody wins....

You don't have to do the things mentioned, but people will remember (and respect) the nurse who did!

[bunsterj]

I saw a similar article not that long ago, and I thought the pointers were appropriate. Could it be, not that your preceptor was singling you out, but that she thought it was a good article that she thought she would share? Several hospitals in my area have employee behavioral goals that include some of these items...could it be that your hospital is trying for more professional behavior from everyone?

5. Cultivate a positive work environment. Be polite and courteous to your colleagues.

I don't know if this relates exactly to this, but the hospital that I did a recent clinical in had a policy that you were to "talk up" your fellow staff members in the patient's presence. I have noticed employees at two other hospitals as well as hospice employees obviously doing the same thing. There is a name for it, but it escapes me. Things along the lines of "Your nurse tonight is Nancy, she always takes such good care of her patients." Or, "Here is Greta, your Tech for today, she keeps on smiling all day long."