Professionalism: Defining My Professional Identity

Through my journey as a healthcare worker, my idea of healthcare professionalism has

evolved. I started working in a nursing home as a care aide years ago in Alberta, it was my 

first experience caring for others. At that time, formalized training was starting to happen 

for care aides and I learned a great deal. In the most general sense, the registered nurses 

that were immediate supervisors appeared professional in how they interacted with their 

patients and staff. Beyond this basic definition, I didn't delve into what a professional 

identity was. Social interaction for the profession as I knew it consisted of classroom 

sessions, face to face meetings, and teleconferences, there was no social media 

opportunities.

Neary (2014) states "professional identity is the concept which describes how we perceive

ourselves within our occupational context and how we communicate this to others."

As a registered nurse and healthcare professional, the term 'professionalism' has a

broadened, more inclusive meaning, covering many areas of work and

personal life. There's an expectation that I conduct myself in a certain way. This includes

interactions with my supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, patients, and my community. My

conduct in public settings is just as important as when at work, I feel the boundaries of this

profession go beyond the hours that I am paid to provide nursing services.

British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) outlines

the expectations of ethical nursing practice as 'understands, upholds and promotes the 

ethical standards of the nursing profession" (Professional Practice Standards, 2012, p.18). 

To me, this states that the role of registered nurse is one that should be held to a 

higher standard, meets the expectations of their peers and public. The Code of Ethics from 

the Canadian Nurses Association also speaks to the ethical values of registered nurses and 

the commitments by nurses for people with healthcare needs receiving care (CNA, Code of 

Ethics,2017). One can not provide safe, competent care, or promote the well being and 

health of an individual and not take their professional identity seriously. These associations 

clearly impress upon it's members the importance of professional conduct and ethical 

practice. Being a professional is not a job that stops when the workday ends, it is a way of 

life. The professional accountability that I speak of is not something I feel can be separated 

from an ethical person, it goes hand in hand. Ideally, my professional identity will reflect the 

professional standards laid out by my registering body.

Social media is a whole other area that all professional people need to consider carefully.

"Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas and

information and the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is

internet based and offers users easy electronic communication of personal information and

other content, such as videos and photos." (Staff, 2018).

As I review my social media experiences, I recognize that have been positives and 

negatives. Being a registered nurse, I have certain expectations for myself and want to 

keep my social media identity neutral. I feel that being outspoken and opinionated can 

draw unwanted attention. I practice professional and encouraging tweets and comments. 

It's an ongoing learning experience for me as the social media world moves forward.

The International Nurse Regulator Collaborative has outlined the 6 P's of Social Media for

Nurses which includes professional, positive, patient/person free, protect yourself, privacy, 

and pause before your post (INRC, 2016). This guideline for healthcare professionals is a 

useful reminder to keep ones posts appropriate and professional, and one that I currently 

practice.

References

ARNNL. (2018, October 3). Retrieved from https://www.arnnl.ca/sites/default/files/documents/ID_Professionalism and the Registered_Nurse

British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (2016), Retrieved from https://www.bccnp.ca/Standards/RN_NP/StandardResources/RN_NP_ProfessionalStandards.pdf

Canadian Nurses Association (2017). Retrieved from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/code-of-ethics-2017-edition-secure-interactive

International Nurse Regulator Collaborative. Retrieved from International Nurse RegulatorCollaborative https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/incr-social-media-use-common-expectations-for-nurses.pdf

Neary, S. (June,2014). Professional Identity: What I call myself define who I am. Retrievedfrom https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/46170813

Staff, I. (2018, March 21). Social Media What is Social Media. Retrieved fromhttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-media.asp