Professionalism not only includes specialized knowledge and skills but also encompasses the attitude with which a person approaches their work and personal interactions. How you dress, carrying yourself with confidence, and most importantly, how you communicate, all reflect on you as a professional. Wearing clean, unwrinkled clothing that is free from smoke and odors, and is appropriate for the work being performed, contributes to a professional appearance.

The energy we bring, whether positive or negative, along with our body language and choice of words or phrases, can greatly influence how others perceive us, our employer, and the overall workplace culture. Consider these two scenarios:

• A person arrives 10 minutes late for their shift, talking on their phone, using profanity, being loud and complaining, making those around them feel tense and uncomfortable. Once the phone call ends, they say to a co-worker, “I can just tell it’s going to be an awful day.” Notice the tone this person sets for the day.
• In contrast, a positive worker concludes personal business before arriving, comes in early to be prepared, smiles, greets co-workers, and says “Ok team, let’s make this a great day.” This person is thoughtful and considerate of how their energy and words impact those around them. Being kind is especially important in the healthcare field.

Having a positive attitude about work also applies to having a “can-do” mindset and problem-solving approach, particularly when handling change and challenges in the workplace. No job is perfect, and when dealing with people and their fears, anxieties, and emotions, things don’t always go smoothly. Healthcare organizations have many regulations to follow, as well as laws, and sometimes policies may seem inefficient or unclear. It’s natural to discuss complaints, but the professional approach is to seek to understand the motivations behind certain behaviors or policies, investigate their reasons, and consider ways to improve the situation.

Instead of simply complaining, try bringing up concerns in a department meeting, offering suggestions for improvement, and surveying co-workers for their ideas. This shows you are not part of the problem, but rather solution-oriented. This approach will reflect positively on you during performance reviews and demonstrates leadership qualities. Even if you don’t formally lead others, you are the leader of your own work and practices. How would others describe your work and your role as part of a team? Do you collaborate well and offer help when needed?

Being open-minded to learning from others and understanding the reasoning behind prioritizing certain tasks is crucial. While the education program you undertake as a healthcare worker provides a solid foundation, skills such as time management and prioritization are best learned on the job. Appreciate the knowledge that more experienced colleagues can share with you.

Attributions

1. Figure 11.2: image released under the Pexels License