Respectful nurses are seen as very professional and helpful to the community, but not all nurses understand how to be respectful and professional. Below are a few guides to help.
What Are Your Options If You Want to Study Nursing Professionally?
There are many types of professional nursing degrees that you can choose from. Which degree is best for you depends on your career goals and financial situation, but should include courses or advice on how to be respectful.
The most common nursing degrees are associate’s and bachelor’s degrees that lead to employment as a nurse in a hospital setting, but these two degrees can also lead to other types of careers outside of hospitals.
The Right Nursing School for You: Choosing the Right Nursing School
A lot of people think about nursing school in terms of “where” it is located. However, the truth is that there are hundreds – if not thousands – of nursing programs in almost every state in the United States and even some online.
Programs like the University of Texas Arlington Pathways course are a great place to start.
The Rules of Courtesy
When it comes to being a successful professional nurse, there are a few rules that are important to follow.
Rule #1: Stand up for the patient
There is a very fine line between being disrespectful and standing up for someone else, but it can be done. If a patient is being disrespected or mistreated by someone else, you should step in.
If it involves your supervisor, you can talk to that person’s superior or even a human resource professional if you have no other options available to you.
Rule #2: Say hello to every person who works the ward or department that you walk past every day
The simple act of greeting people will allow others to know where they stand with you as a person and what they should expect from working with you.
This can be a small gesture, but it is viewed favorably by many departments and individuals in a hospital or a nursing facility.
Conversely, if a nurse passes by the desk of an administrative employee without saying hello, that employee might begin to wonder what that person thinks of them and their work.
Rule #3: Follow up with your patients
Once you have discharged one of your patients, make sure that you follow up with them once they have been discharged.
If they are living in a facility but require home care, follow up with the people who are providing that service as well as the patient’s family members.
Rule #4: Be respectful of the people you work with
If you have an issue with another member of the staff, try to resolve it in a professional manner. If you are unable to do so, make sure that you report the problem to a higher authority.
For example, if your feelings toward someone else at work have become hostile in nature, make sure that you speak with your doctor or a hospital administrator and bring any relevant information related to your concerns as well.
Rule #5: Ensure that patients are safe when they are with you in any capacity
When working with a team of nurses or other medical professionals, ensure that the patient is safe during all activities related to treatment and recovery.
