Introduction
Part One: View and Analysis
Professionalism is crucial in any organization and upholding of the expected characters, attributes, and standards portray an individual as a professional in any given field. Different fields have various professionals whose professionalism is measured in various ways. The professionalism of a person in health care administration can be expressed in different ways such as the attire, personal presentation, and communication. This essay will discuss various aspects of professionalism and what make an individual a professional in a particular field.
What make a health care administration individual a professional?
Every field has its unique mode of dressing that identifies people with different professions. The attire for health care professionals is critical to their integrity and dignity. Both male and female professionals have unique attires that identify them with healthcare profession (AllHealthcare, 2016). Dressing codes also vary with circumstances. For example, health care personnel who work in a lab should have specific attire (AllHealthcare, 2016). Sandy Dumont postulated that white attire is the most appropriate for health care administrators (Pagana, 2015). However, there should be a standard way of dressing that makes a person professional in the medical field. For women, wearing attires that are considerably loose and those that do not expose their bodies like thighs exposing dresses make them look professional. Shirts which have hospital logos make men presentable and professional. In general, decent clothing for both male and female administrators in health care helps to identify them as professionals.
Communication is an important aspect that identifies a person with a particular field. Health care administrators are expected to possess unique attributes such as compassion, empathy, and ability to communicate effectively (Bearman et al., 2014). Capacity to exchange information with patients from different backgrounds portrays an individual as a professional. The way people articulate words as well as the jargons they use help to identify them with some fields. Various patients have different education achievement. Also, the age of the patients affects their ability to communicate in some languages. Therefore, a professional health care administrator should be able to discuss and address health problems of different patients.
The way different individuals present themselves dictates their level of professionalism. Self-presentation in social interactions is an important criterion for determining whether a person is a professional or not (Bearman et al., 2014). Health care administrators are supposed to keep the secrets of the medical history of the patients (Pagana, 2015). The role of a person should match with his or her self-presentation. Healthcare administrators should present themselves in humble and welcoming manner. Also, the body language is a significant element of professionalism. For example, an appropriate body posture during interactions portrays a person as professional.
Description of what makes someone unprofessional in my field
Some modes of clothing are unprofessional in the medical field. For example, wearing of jeans and high heeled shoes for women looks casual and inappropriate for health care administrators (AllHealthcare, 2016). Also, tight clothes do not exhibit professionalism. Wearing professional attires may not fully indicate that an individual is professional if he or she has a poor self- presentation. For example, slouching during social interactions or having long hairs does not exhibit professionalism.
Part Two: Personal Reflection and Connection
Appropriate attire for individuals in my field
Some attire is professional in most fields. However, some specific fields have specified mode of dressing that is recognized as professional. In nursing, wearing white uniform is common and generally acceptable mode of dressing. However, white coats are preferred to cover the clothes which must be decent. Thus, decent clothes and a white coat are the most appropriate attire in my field.
Description of what makes someone professional in my field
In the field of nursing, looking neat is one of the indicators of professionalism. Clean uniforms and shoes identify an individual as a professional nurse (Rhodes, Morris, & Lazenby, 2011). Also, having visible and readable name tags helps to uphold professionalism among nurses (Pagana, 2015). Eloquence in communication and good personal attributes is crucial for professional nurses. In most case, nurses look more professional with white attire.
Attributes and behaviors that identify individuals as professional
Particular behaviors are professional in specific fields. In health care, individuals should possess some attributes such as integrity, compassion, value judgment, and great concern (Papadakis et al., 1999). Decent clothing and ability to make quality communication has significant contributions significantly to the level of individual’s professionalism. Additionally, the possession of interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients and other staff indicate how professional a person is (Pagana, 2015).
Conclusively, being professional entails possessing various attributes that identify an individual with a certain field. However, an individual must possess all the required attributes to qualify as a professional since having some qualities while other are absent disqualifies one from being a professional.
References
AllHealthcare. (2016). What healthcare professionals should never (ever!) wear. Retrieved June 7, 2016, from http://allhealthcare.monster.com/benefits/articles/3496-what-healthcare-professionals-should-never-ever-wear
Bearman, G., Bryant, K., Leekha, S., Mayer, J., Munoz-Price, L. S., Murthy, R. White, J. (2014). Healthcare personnel attire in non-operating-room settings. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 35(02), 107–121.
Pagana, K. D. (2015). The nurse’s etiquette advantage: How professional etiquette can advance your nursing career. Indianapolis, IN: Nursing Knowledge International.
Papadakis, M. A., et al., (1999). A strategy for the detection and evaluation of unprofessional behavior in medical students. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine Clinical Clerkships Operation Committee. Academic Medicine, 74(9), 980-90.
Rhodes, M., Morris, A., & Lazenby, R. (2011). Nursing at its best: competent and caring. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 16(2).
