Professionalism

PROFESSIONALISM
Objectives
 What is professionalism?
 What values or behaviours are associated with professionalism?
 How can professionalism be assessed?
 How can professionalism be taught?
 How can lapses or breaches in professionalism be addressed?
What is Professionalism?
Professionalism is:
• Having an awareness of how your actions, body language, and words affect others

What is professionalism?
Adapted from Phillips, Phillips, Fixsen & Wolf (1974)

 Conduct, aims or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person”
    (Merriam-Webster, 2009)
 “Qualities or typical features of a profession or professional. A collection of attitudes and actions; it suggests knowledge and technical skill.” (RNAO, 2007)
• Professionalism is exhibited by …professional character…or the “standing, practice, or methods of a professional”   as distinguished from an amateur.” ~ American College Dictionary
The ANA Code for Nurses defines professionalism, as follows:
1. The nurse provides services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the client, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.
2. The nurse safeguards the client’s right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.
3. The nurse acts to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice of any person.
4. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions.
5. The nurse maintains competence in nursing.
The nurse exercises informed judgment and uses individual competence and qualifications as criteria in seeking consultation, accepting responsibilities, and delegating nursing activities to others.
7. The nurse participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession’s body of knowledge.
8. The nurse...