Professionalism

….in the workplace

Lisa M. Lackner, RN, MSN

Dawn of a New Era

Where do we start?
 Where do we start?

What does professional mean?

• An occupation requiring specialized
knowledge and often long and intensive
academic preparation
• Conforming to the technical or ethical
standards of a profession
Professionalism is:

• TEAMWORK
Teamwork

• Teamwork is the single

most important vital
sign of the health of the
organization or agency.
• Everyone’s
participation and input
is critical to successful
resuscitation.
• A-Team approach
 A-Team B Team
• Proactive
•Negative
• Confident •Reactive
• Positive •Confused
• Competent •Lazy
• Compassionate •Late
•Poor communications
• Communicative
•Constant complainer
• Team spirit
•BMW club
• Teachers •Can’t do
• Trust •Always surprised
• Does what it takes
• Sense of humor
• Moves the meat
Which are you?
You make the call
(Monday Night Football)
 Professionalism is:

• Having an awareness of how your

actions, body language, and words affect
others
Professionalism is:

• Being fully accountable for one’s actions

Professionalism is:

• Utilizing kindness, compassion,

intelligence, and direct communication to
lead others
Professionalism is:

• Learning to master a mindful, calm

response to an emergency
Professionalism is NOT:

• Allowing someone else to get bit, while

you stand by.
Professionalism is NOT:

• Blaming others for your mistakes or poor

response
Professionalism is NOT:

• Losing your composure in chaos

• “When things go wrong, don’t go with

them.” Unknown
Words to live by….

• “I love the man that can smile in trouble, that

can gather strength from distress, and grow
brave by reflection.” Thomas Paine
• “In adversity, remember to keep an even
mind.” Horace
“Do not lose your inward peace for anything
whatsoever, even if your whole world seems
upset.” Saint France de Sales
One of my favorites

• “Little things affect little minds.” Benjamin Disraeli

And lastly,

• “Do not free a camel of the burden of his

hump; you may be freeing him from
being a camel.” G.K. Chesterton
Although your job is not
easy…
And your job is stressful…
And sometimes your job
seems impossible…
It does not excuse you from
being unprofessional.

• Don’t let reasons become excuses

 Moral

• Many times we are all too focused on our

own concerns, tasks and conveniences and
lose sight of the primary reason we exist.
When faced with adversity it is often best to
step back, assess what you can and cannot
control, assess your resources, and through
teamwork and positive attitudes take care of
those endeavors and people we are
entrusted with and are the primary reasons
we exist.
“One cannot change anything
unless we accept it.
Condemnation does not
liberate, it oppresses.”

(Carl Jung)
Factors Professionals Must
Always Consider

• Teamwork
• Relentless pursuit of excellence
• Basic Business Facts
• Customer Service
• Unfailing Integrity
Why do we struggle with
this???

• Attitude
• Ego
• Fear
• Seniority
• Confusion
• Poor impulse control
Fundamental Personality Rules

• You cannot control anyone except

maybe…. Yourself.
• The most difficult people don’t realize that
they are the terrorists.
“The strength of any structure is only as
strong as the sum compilation of the
individual components it is comprised
of. It is the design, the mortar, and the
precision of assembly that allows
seemingly unimaginable fortitude.”