Professionalism in the Workplace Denise Thornby RN, MS

Is it the role or the behavior?

Professions have a body of knowledge, scope of practice, agreed upon values, oath or code and accountability to our society for their profession and their professional behavior.

Social Workers Lawyers Physicians Nurses Teachers Flight Attendants…..

Professionalism Describes a certain type of behavior in the workplace Based on our values and understanding of our professional roles Evidenced in our behavior

How professionalism is judged Against a set of expectations or standards From our own personal values set and understanding of what “professionalism” means May be situational in nature Strongly influenced by culture

Professionalism is in the eye of the beholder…

Unprofessional!

Professional is judged through: Our Image Our Communication Our Competence Our Demeanor

From the Patient’s Perspective Trustworthy Competent Empathetic Respectful Caring

Our relationships with patients: Therapeutic context Safety, trust and ethical behavior are foundational Relationship has boundaries Vulnerability of patients and the imbalance of power

Respectful of their: Needs Beliefs Concerns Values

Crossing Professional Boundaries Non-therapeutic relationships Inappropriate communication Inappropriate self-disclosure Exploitation – money, gifts Breaches of confidentiality

From the Co-Workers Perspective Trustworthy Competent Supportive Respectful Accountable

Professional Team

Expectations of Professional Team Members Functional Trust Mutual Respect Open Communication

Functional Trust All people have an equal need for respect Respect is the basic foundation of all healthy personal relationships Each team member is equally important Each team member’s work is equally important

Mutual respect All people have an equal need for respect Respect is the basic foundation of all healthy personal relationships Each team member is equally important Each team member’s work is equally important

Open Communication Team members talk to each other about issues directly All team members avoid the 3 B’s Supportive feedback is given generously Corrective feedback is helpful, tactful and constructive

Where Do I Start?

Qualities and Characteristics of a Professional

Professionals are: Competent Trustworthy Respectful Act with Integrity Considerate Empathetic

Professionals are: Courteous Dependable Cooperative Committed

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later. Og Mandino