Nursing as a Profession: Professionalism Quiz

Nursing as a Profession

• Professional decorum is an unwritten code of conduct for interactions among healthcare professionals. It involves presenting oneself with professionalism and trustworthiness.
• Professional decorum creates a comfortable environment for both patients and nurses.

9 Ways to Demonstrate Professionalism in Nursing

• Communicate Effectively: Effective communication is crucial for adequate patient care, reducing errors, and providing clear instructions. Use simple terms that patients understand.
• Positive Attitude: A positive attitude helps nurses adapt to challenges, improves confidence, and builds resilience when dealing with work-related difficulties.
• Compassionate Care: Nursing care extends beyond physical needs; emotional support and compassion are essential for patient well-being, especially during critical times.
• High-Quality Care: Nurses must provide the best possible care, prioritizing efficiency and safety, and utilizing an evidence-based, patient-centered approach.

Preparing for an Interview

• Practice Common Questions: Prepare answers to common interview questions to demonstrate competence and suitability for a nursing position. Questions might include, motivations for becoming a nurse, career aspirations, and handling difficult situations.
• Research the Organization: Understanding the organization's culture, job responsibilities, and the specific role being applied for helps show genuine interest in the position.
• Dress Professionally: Dressing professionally is key for a favorable first impression. Consider the environment/guidelines of the hiring healthcare facility.
• Arrive Early: Punctuality demonstrates a positive attitude and allows time to prepare adequately. Allow enough time for any travel or location challenges.

Developing a Professional Portfolio

• Master Portfolio: Holds original documents like certificates, course outlines, and job descriptions; one copy in a secure, separate location.
• Targeted Portfolio: Based on a specific job description, relevant items from the master portfolio are placed into a dedicated folder, highlighting qualifications for the target position.

Professional and Legal Responsibilities

• Philippine Nursing Law: Specific regulations guiding nursing practice can be accessed in the classroom.
• Health Related Laws: This section provides details about various Republic Acts that affect healthcare in the Philippines like the Rural Health Unit Act, the Act recognizing the Division of Tuberculosis, etc.

Legal Issues in Nursing Practice

• Criminal Liability: This section outlines different types of criminal liability in nursing (e.g., felonies, misdemeanors).
• Circumstances Affecting Criminal Liability: Clarifies justifying, exempting, and aggravating circumstances that impact legal liability. Includes issues like unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity, and mitigating factors.

Prevention of Liability

• Knowledge of Job Description: Essential for understanding expectations and required actions.
• Following Rules and Regulations: Adhering to agency policies and guidelines is vital.
• Patient Care and Safety: Observing patient conditions and providing appropriate care are crucial responsibilities, including promptly communicating potential issues or errors to superiors.

Test your understanding of professionalism in nursing with this quiz. Explore essential aspects such as effective communication, positive attitude, compassionate care, and delivering high-quality care. Assess how these factors contribute to a successful nursing practice.