Professionalism In The Nursing World

Nursing is identified as a profession because it requires extensive education and specialized training. However, simply working in a defined profession or career does not automatically make one a professional. Professionalism involves much more than degrees, credentials, and experience. What are the attributes that establish professional behavior and how is professionalism perceived in the nursing world? As defined by Epstein and Hundert, professional competence is the habitual and judicious use of communication, knowledge, technical skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the individual and community being served.
Although, there are many different careers in the world, the keys in being perceived as a professional are similar, if not the same across the board. I believe that most of one’s professional persona is highly correlated to the overall manner in which one carries themselves. The way one carries him or herself is made up of several important elements. First, there is no denying that people, even sick or injured people, are going to have a first impression based on physical appearance. …show more content…
The way a nurse’s hair, nails, skin, body odor, uniform, shoes, breath, posture, and body language are will indeed be judged; yielding positive or negative results. A professional appearance would be that of a nurse that is well groomed, clean, fresh, with a uniform that fits appropriately and in good condition, and body language that sends a message of genuine care towards the patient. A well groomed look makes the statement that you care about yourself as a person and therefore have the capacity to care about others. People that look sloppy may be perceived by others as unorganized, lazy, and uncaring. Secondly, a positive attitude plays a role in maintaining professionalism and compliments a clean and neat physical appearance. The way a nurse portrays their feelings about life and the uncontrollable circumstances of life speak volumes to co workers, patients, and family members of patients. Next, a nurse’s interpersonal skills and speech can convey whether or not they are a professional. When a nurse does not communicate well and fails to provide proper bedside manner with patients and families, a negative impression will be made about their nursing skills and therefore take away from their credibility and trust. Once those things are taken away, it is hard to re-establish. “Healthcare professionals have a tremendous obligation,” says Dr. Robert J. Wolff, PhD, program director of Health Science at South University, Columbia. “The most important thing is that healthcare professionals have higher standards than most professions because they are dealing with the dignity of patients and their ability to be healed.” Nurses will also be in close contact with fellow nurses, doctors, and other disciplines and must be able to communicate information and ideas in a clear manner. Another aspect of interpersonal communication is the speech and tone of voice in which a nurse chooses to use. Using curse words or slang words for body parts, speaking loudly in areas that are intended to be quiet, rolling eyes, or making a scene are unprofessional behaviors. While, using a non threatening tone and appropriate language are perceived by others as professional. Lastly, personal accountability is of great importance while working in the nursing profession. Holding oneself accountable includes timeliness, autonomy, integrity while handling private patient information, patient advocacy