In no field more than in nursing will you hear the word “professionalism” used on a regular basis. For the record, it is has nothing to do with how you live your life outside of your job.  Instead, professionalism is a set of standards as to how you do your job – how you dress, how you do your job, the words you use, and what you talk about.

Professionalism with a resident includes:

• Keeping a positive attitude
• Doing only the tasks you are trained to do
• Keeping residents; information confidential
• Being polite and cheerful at all times
• Not discussing your personal problems
• Refraining from using profanity
• Listening to a resident
• Calling residents by proper titles
• Always explaining care before you give it
• Following practices, such as hand washing, to protect both you and the residents.

With an employer, professional behavior includes:

• Completing tasks efficiently
• Following all policies and procedures
• Careful and correct documentation
• Reporting anything that keeps you from completing duties
• Asking questions when you do not understand something
• Objectively taking directions and criticism
• Being clean and neatly dressed and groomed
• Always being on time
• Telling your employer if you cannot report for work
• Following the chain of command
• Participating in education programs
• Being a positive role model

Above all else, professional behavior involves putting your patients’ needs above your own and always maintaining a positive image to your employer, as well as to your patients and their families.