How to Gain Respect In the Workplace (as a Nurse)
In all professions, including nursing, gaining respect in the workplace is essential.
Being well respected by your colleagues and managers not only makes you feel valued and appreciated, but it ensures that you can provide the best possible care to your patients. Being a respected nurse also helps you gain traction for getting promoted into specialised and high paying roles. Well respected nurses often get invited into extra learning opportunities within the workplace, thus advancing their career.
As you can see, the benefits are endless! So, how can you gain respect as a nurse in your workplace? Let's find out.
Be Competent
The most critical factor in earning respect as a nurse is being competent at your job.
Notice how I used the word earning respect and not being given respect. Earning respect means just that; you have to earn it, and unfortunately, earning takes time and effort.
Being competent means you possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best possible care to your patients. If you are not a competent nurse, earning respect will be almost impossible.
So, how can you become a competent nurse? Basically, be really good at your job.
First, learn the basics; that could be the procedures, medications, terminology and biology/ anatomy you use on a daily basis.
Second, stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in your field. You can do this by attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities to stay informed and improve your skills. The easiest way to do this can be looking at the latest evidence based articles online.
Finally, reflect on your practice and identify areas where you can improve. Nobody knows everything, not even the leaders in your field. Never stop learning and admit your mistakes. This is a sure-fire way to earn respect.
Be Confident in Your Abilities
Once you have mastered competence, the most important ways to gain respect as a nurse is to be confident in your abilities.
Confidence is not only a sign of competence, but it also helps to put others at ease. No patient wants a nervous nurse hands shaking while they are injecting them!
Both patients and colleagues will appreciate your confidence and trust in your ability to provide excellent care.
If you are struggling with self-confidence, try to focus on your strengths and accomplishments! For starters, you have a nursing degree, which is amazing in itself.
Remember that you have worked hard to get where you are. You totally deserve to be respected for your efforts.
Be Kind
Gone are the days of stepping on toes to get to where you want to be. Kindness is cool, and cool people earn respect. Being kind isn't easy for everyone, especially in a high stress environment like nursing. However, if you have the ability to stay kind, even in the face of chaos, it is an excellent skill to have, and a great way to earn respect from your patients and colleagues.
When you are kind to your colleagues, patients, and their families, you demonstrate empathy, compassion, and a willingness to help others. This can help to create a positive work environment where people feel valued and appreciated, which can lead to improved morale and job satisfaction.
Kindness can also help to build trust, which is essential in any healthcare setting; patients and their families are more likely to trust and feel comfortable with nurses who are kind and compassionate towards them.
Know Your Worth
As a nurse, you play an essential role in the healthcare system and your wider team. You are a valuable member of your workplace, and you deserve to be treated as such.
Knowing your worth means recognising the value that you bring to the workplace and advocating for yourself when necessary.
If you feel that you are not being respected or valued, speak up. Communicate your concerns with your supervisor or HR department and work together to find a solution. Can't find one? Maybe it's time to find another job, where you are valued for the amazing nurse you are.
Be a Team Player
Nursing is a team sport, and working collaboratively with your colleagues is essential.
Being a team player means being willing to help out when needed, communicating effectively, and most importantly, treating others with respect!
When you work well with others, you build trust and respect, which can help you to be more effective in your role. Sharing your knowledge and asking others for help is also a great way to earn respect.
Be Professional
Finally, being professional is essential in gaining respect as a nurse. Professionalism means dressing appropriately, being punctual, and maintaining a positive attitude. It also means being respectful to your colleagues, patients, and their families.
Some of the fastest ways to lose respect is by bullying others, being incompetent, constantly being late, or acting unprofessionally.
By demonstrating professionalism in all aspects of your work, you can earn the respect of others and be seen as a role model.
As you can see, earning respect in your workplace as a nurse is incredibly important.
It not only helps you feel valued and appreciated, but it also ensures that you can provide the best possible care to your patients.
When you are respected by your colleagues, you are more likely to be included in decision- making processes! You are also more likely to be given the support and resources you need to do your job effectively.
Respect is important as it helps to build trust, which is essential in any healthcare setting. Patients and their families are more likely to trust and feel comfortable with nurses who are respected by their colleagues. It is easy to see respect displayed by a team. Overall, gaining respect as a nurse is crucial for creating a positive and effective work environment and providing the best possible care to patients.
How do you gain respect in the workplace? I'd love to hear your answers.
