Nurses are perhaps one of the most easily recognized professionals in today’s workforce. Nurses not only work within a field that is dedicated to giving and caring for others, but nurses also follow a set of codes and ethics that not many other professions outside of the realm of healthcare have to follow. How nurses present themselves to patients is perhaps one of the most critical components of establishing trust and making a positive impression on first sight as well as throughout the course of a relationship.
Here are a few ways to make a professional impression

Introduce Yourself to the Patient or Family

Always take the time to greet the patient if he/she is alert and able to understand your words. Your greeting should include your name and that you will be the nurse caring for the patient and for how long. People may feel out of their element when they are hospitalized and away from the comforts of home. For some patients, this can be an intimidating experience and as the nurse caring for the patient, you are often that liaison between them and the physician. The patient you are caring for should always know who the nurse is caring for them throughout the day and night.

Give the Patient Your Full Attention

The patient and the patient’s family should always feel like they have your full attention each time you enter the room to speak with them or complete a task or procedure. Remember to avoid distractions that might either interrupt your focus or make the patient feel less than important.

Make an Effort to Be Organized

Appearances are a critical component to looking professional. Always ensure that your clothing is neat in appearance, that your hair is in place and that you have any additional equipment, writing utensils, technology or other resources in place that you might need to provide patient care before entering and engaging the patient. Unless something completely unexpected happens while you are in the room, do not use that time to tug at your clothing, dig in your pockets or to fuss with your hair. You always want to give the impression that the patient and their family is your immediate concern.

Be Attentive to All of Your Patients

Caring for more than one patient at a time can be challenging. This is particularly the case when one of your patients has greater needs than other patients under your care. Remember to take the time also to check on your patients who are stable during the day as well. While they may not have as many needs as the patient who is taking up a bit more of your time, they are still in the hospital for a reason, and you want to ensure that their status does not take a turn during your shift. A simple mini-assessment mid-way through your shift will not only enable you to validate the status of your patient’s health, but it will also make the patient feel that they were being cared for comfortably by their nurse and facility.