In a highly respected profession such as nursing, professionalism is an important element to staying employed and setting one’s self apart from the rest of the applicants when competing for a potential job. By definition professionalism are the qualities and traits that describe a professional. While knowledge is crucial in any profession, according to an article published by the University of Kansas (2012), “all medical professionals must strive to retain those humanistic qualities integrity, respect, and compassion that constitute the essence of professionalism.” Whether you work in a hospital or administration these three qualities encompass the core of nursing and exemplify what it means to be a professional. Integrity is the “consistent regard for the highest standards of behavior and the refusal to violate personal and professional code.”(Professionalism initiative, 2012) Being held accountable for your actions and acting in the best interest for your patient is a vital professional nursing role. Possessing integrity is important; “studies show nurses top the list of the most trusted professionals…and ranked highest for honesty and ethics” (Pophal, 2013). Being considered among the most trusted professions is not a difficult task. It is accomplished by nurses who consistently follow this moral code and take responsibility for their achievements and mistakes. It is not unheard of for a nurse to accidentally make a medication error by not following the five rights of medication administration; this could potentially harm a patient. If the nurse reports the mistake right away to their supervisor, regardless of the consequences and makes sure the patient is safe they are being honest and acting in the best interest of their pat... ... middle of paper ... ...assion. Integrity is a moral standard you set for yourself, respect is essential to developing a healthy workplace environment, and compassion encompasses the core of nursing. Without these traits you are doing a disservice to patients, colleagues, and yourself. Works Cited Heggen, K., & Hem, M. (2004, 6 23). Is compassion essential to nursing practice?. Retrieved from http://www.researchgate.net/publication/5914942_Is_compassion_essential_to_nursing_practice/file/72e7e526f767a80e8a.pdf Pophal, L. (2013, 03 13). Professionalism in new nurses. Retrieved from http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Lifestyle-for-Nurses/At-Work/Professionalism-in-New-Nurses.aspx Professionalism initiative. (2012). Informally published manuscript, Medical Center, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, Retrieved from http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/fafd/professionalism-initiative.html
Professionalism in the workplace in many professions can be simplified into general categories such as neat appearance, interaction with clients, punctuality, general subject knowledge, and likability. In nursing, professionalism encompasses a much more broad and inclusive set of criteria than any other profession. Nurses specifically are held to a higher standard in nearly every part of their job. Nurses are not only expected to uphold what it seen as professional in the aforementioned categories, but they are also expected to promote health, wellbeing, and advocate for patients, but also continually provide the highest standard of care, demonstrate exemplary subject and procedural knowledge, and abide by the Code of ethics set forth by the American Nurses Association. This Code of Ethics includes the complex moral and ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, honesty, and integrity.
A nurse has many responsibilities in their job. While performing those duties, it is vital that they maintain good professional character. What is good professional character and how does it incorporate into the workplace? This paper will delve into the different character traits that the professional nurse should possess. These traits include the ability to tell “right from wrong, think and act rationally, keep promises and honor obligations, be accountable for their behavior, recognize and honor interpersonal boundaries, and promptly and fully self-disclose facts, circumstances, events, errors/omissions” (Nursing, Texas Board of, 2013).
During junior year, my thinking on what being a professional was expanded greatly. I was still dressing according to code, coming in on time and making sure to show respect, but I really broadened what I viewed as being a professional. While I did not look up professional practices of the hospital during my time on the unit, I did ask the staff and faculty their policies which govern their interventions. During my time, I found out about the MEWS score, and how this is used to determine the severity of a patient’s condition, and if the need for intervention exists. I also found out about flushing a hep-loc, and really provided privacy to patients. I did have a HIV positive patient, but it was undetermined if the family with this person knew, so any mention of the disease was done out of hearing range. Professionalism took on a whole new meaning during this semester in that dressing and
Professionalism is specialization, knowledge, intellectual and individual responsibility along with a good group consciousness. Having humanist views to present to a patient illustrate personal integrity, respect for human dignity, protection from harm, and protection of a patients’ privacy. Professionalism is shown through a person’s expressions, attire and one’s image; professionalism not only involves standards and policies but also includes values and beliefs. Being a professional means when we have a situation that we may not agree with, it is important that we have an open mind to others point of view and work with them to accommodate their views. In nursing, professionalism is important for
Finally, maintaining integrity as a nurse is a must. As a nurse, I am trusted with a great deal of information. Medical records are meant to be confidential and the medical center and the patients put a great deal of trust into their nurse to be able to keep their records
Integrity – acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice. This is reflected in professional practice when the nurse is honest and provides care based on an ethical framework that is accepted within the profession.
7).” However, it is not just a degree that makes a professional. It is a way of thinking and a way of acting. Characteristics of a professional nurse are autonomy, service, altruism and stewardship, leadership initiatives, integrity, accountability, respect and partnership, excellence and scholarship (see appendix). These concepts/characteristics are all connected, like pieces of a puzzle, and to be a professional it is important to strive to achieve these characteristics to complete the picture. To be a professional a nurse needs to be able to take control and be a leader and work well in a team. It is important to be accountable for mistakes and own up to it so it can be learned from. Excellence is a given in being a nursing professional. A nurse should strive to be and do the best that is possible, this is what separates the nurses that are there for the paycheck from the nurses that actually care about patient and doing a good job (D. Hatteberg, class notes, September 2015). Some of these concepts/characteristics are similar to the values that are important in
There are several professional values that a nurse must possess altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justices are among these. Altruism is being concerned for the well-being and welfare of others; this includes their patients and colleagues. This is demonstrated daily through understanding cultural differences, considering the perspectives of others and mentoring others
Laabs, C. (2011). Perception of moral integrity: contractions in need of explanation. Nursing Ethics, 18(3). doi: 10.1177/0969733011398101
The combination of professionalism and ethics can be equated with an extraordinary nurse because they are core components in the nursing profession and crucial to patient trust, confidence and wellbeing. Having a degree in nursing is not what makes one a professional. Professionalism is
Nurses should always understand the importance of image while delivering care to the public. Professionalism within nursing is very important since patients and families expect a certain level of care. Demonstrating professionalism will give the family confidence knowing their loved one is receiving quality care. Nurses who follow professionalism support the advancement of the nursing profession. In addition, every country has a different view when it comes to nurses and nursing role.
Ethics is defined as moral principles that govern a persons or a group’s behavior, ethical principles apply to both personal and professional relationships (Webster, 2015). The field of nursing is a profession that has been highly regarded and respected in society. Most nurses enter the profession in order to utilize their clinical skills to help others in their time of need. Those in failing health rely on nurses to care for them in their most vulnerable states, and expect a level of compassion and humanity while receiving care. Nurses have an ethical responsibility to their patients, clients, and their community. Compassion, empathy, and integrity are staple characteristics that nurses possess that allow them to successfully perform their
Professionalism as I would define, is following facility guidelines and adhering to protocols. An act of professionalism consists of these following characteristics; “human dignity, truth, integrity, excellence, knowledge of duty, following proper work ethics, and social responsibility” (Whiteside 135-136). For this term paper, I chose to include professionalism examples in healthcare. The roles of a care-taker and a nurse hold many examples that pertains to professionalism in the workplace.
Professionalism in the workplace is "an indispensable element in the compact between the medical profession and society that is based on trust and putting the needs of patients above all other considerations" (Brennan & Monson, 2014). Employers and employees have different expectations for professionalism in the workplace. From understanding the ethical principles of nursing, as a potential licensed practical nurse (LPN), I believe that the ethical principles of nursing guide the concept of professionalism in the workplace, especially in the healthcare settings. The three ethical principles of nursing I believe are important in workplace professionalism are justice, beneficence, and fidelity. Through this term paper, the readers will be able
Professionalism plays a crucial part in a nurses’ career. As nurses, we are expected to