According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, professionalism is defined as, “the conduct aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person.” The Oxford dictionary defines success as, “a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains fame, wealth, etc.” To be successful, one must obtain professional qualities. Developing professional attributes as a nurse is very important to not only the nurse and the company, but the patient receiving care.
The Texas Board of Nursing explains that, “professional nursing means the performance of an act that requires substantial specialized judgement and skill, the proper performance of which is based on knowledge and application of the principle of biological, physical, and social science as acquired by a completed course in an approved school of professional nursing.” (Texas Board of Nursing, 2017). Professionalism is important in any workplace environment, as it shows the potential of an individuals success.
Characteristics of professionalism include appearance, being reliable, having the ability to adapt, being competent, and using critical thinking skills. Dressing in an appropriate manner is an essential quality for any profession. An individual’s appearance presents many characteristics about them. Before an individual does anything, their appearance is the first thing exposed. The way people present themselves produces the first impression of the individual’s competence.
Being reliable and trustworthy is an important quality to hold throughout life. As a nurse, being reliable and honest in the workplace can help to build a nurse-to-patient relationship. It is important to make patients feel as comfortable as possible when care is being provided. Nurses are introduced to many different people and come across many different problems in the hospital daily. It is imperative to take the time to get to know each patient individually to get an understanding of who the patient is, and what the patient needs. The use of critical thinking skills as a nurse is the key to being successful and providing quality care for patients.
Critical thinking involves the use of logical reasoning, and analyzing all data assessed adequately to help prioritize and provide the proper care for each patient. Prioritizing patient care can help to save the lives of many. There are mulitple different ways to establish a plan to prioritize patient care as a nurse. “Abraham Maslow’s theory on the hierarchy of needs posits that humans are motivated by the intrinsic need for self-actualization. Nurses can apply Maslow’s theory to their practice of patient care.” (How to Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to Nursing, 2018).
Nursing is something I am very compassionate about. I am a reliable and trustworthy individual, who has the potential to do whatever it takes to help others. Providing a multidisciplinary approach in a health care setting is very beneficial to patient care. I enjoy interacting with many different people and working together as a team to get things done. It will not be a problem for me to use critical thinking skills, as I am someone who evaluates, analyzes, and thinks of all possible results before acting.
However, one of my weaknesses is taking too long to make a choice and overthinking the process. As a nurse, it is important to be able to adapt and change to multiple settings, patient’s needs, and cultural values. I am capable of learning new concepts quickly and efficiently. Therefore, I am exceptional at adapting to changes when necessary. I am a very organized person, so it will not be difficult for me to keep things correlated.
As a nurse, I know that it is important to have a positive attitude and be willing to interact with many patients who may be experiencing pain or just feeling down. I know that it is essential to understand that patients are seeking help, and it is my job to provide them guidance by establishing the appropriate care for them.
As a student nurse, I will retain the knowledge and skills acquired, while in the nursing program. Being competent will help me to become a successful nurse in the health-care field. I will be sure to understand all rules of the facility in which I am assigned. In addition to the facilities rules, I will also obtain the knowledge of the specific scope of practice, correct procedures, and actions to take as a nurse.
These factors are critical for the patient, staff and business, and are essential when providing care. When developing a nursing diagnosis for each patient, it is important to remember that every patient is different. Therefore, it is important to individualize the care for each patient. When establishing a nursing diagnosis, I will start off with the SOAPIER method. The SOAPIER method consists of collecting subjective data, objective data, assessment data, planning, implementation, evaluating, and reassessing as needed. Critical thinking is one of the most important strategies I will adapt to become successful while in the nursing program.
Using critical thinking is very useful when it comes to having multiple patients that require urgent or critical care. Not every staff working on the floor in a health care setting can provide all the skills needed for a patient. A multidisciplinary approach is often used in the health care setting. This approach allows different health care professionals to work together as a team to provide care for the patient.
Developing professional qualities in nursing school is essential to being successful in the health care field. It is important to carry professionalism throughout your career. Professionalism expresses more than just the way a person represents themselves on the outside. It also indicates the individual’s knowledge and skills attained. Nurses use many characteristics and skills of professionalism to provide patient care in the health care field.
It is important to know the facilities rules, the specific scope of practice, correct procedures and actions to take as a nurse. Being reliable and adapting to changes when necessary is a significant quality of professionalism. Critical thinking is a top priority in nursing. This process of critical thinking is used when nurses make decisions and develop a nursing diagnosis to provide patient care. As a nurse, it is important to individualize care for each patient and promote quality care. The development of these qualities and skills will help me to become a successful student in the nursing program.
References
- Jennifer, Kristin. (2018, January 18). How to Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to Nursing. Synonym. Retrieved from https://classroom.synonym.com/how-7727994-apply-maslows-hierarchy-needs-nursing.html
- Professionalism. (2018). In Merriam-Webster.com Retrieved September 17, 2018, from https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/professionalism
- Success | Definition of success in English by Oxford Dictionaries. (2018). Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/success
- Texas Occupations Code and Statutes Regulating the Practice of Nursing. (2017, September). Retrieved October 1, 2018, from https://www.bon.texas.gov/laws_and_rules_nursing_practice_act_2017.asp
