Foods & Nutrition: Dietetics
Qualities of A Professional
Webster defines professional as "of relating to, or characteristic of a profession or calling" and professionalism as "the conduct, aims or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional person."
As a Registered Dietitian and a dietetics student, you will be expected to perform in a professional manner while interacting with patients, physicians, nurses, faculty, and other students. Your success as a dietitian will depend largely upon your ability to communicate and carry yourself in a way that is becoming of professional. Therefore, it is important that you begin immediately to form behaviors and habits that are the hallmarks of a professional such as excellence, promptness, reliability, dependability, courteousness, commitment and self motivation. Your professional growth and behavior will be monitored and evaluated throughout this program and will impact your readiness for an internship program. Below are the standards of conduct that you as a dietetic student, will be expected to follow.
1. Excellence
Professionals constantly strive for higher levels of performance and achievement. Therefore, they gracefully accept and value criticism from others knowing that it stimulates growth and produces excellence. They keep an open mind and respond non-defensively. They are self motivated, directed, and positive in their conversations with others avoiding unproductive negative communication. Finally, they see mediocrity as unprofessional and therefore strive to do the very best in everything they are involved with.
2. Promptness
Professionals value each individual's time and resources knowing that everyone works under very tight schedules. They are prompt for meetings/classes and exhibit good time management skills and the ability to prioritize their schedule. To best serve everyone, they do not over commit themselves.
3. Reliability and Dependability
Professionals are aware that people rely on them for accurate information and therefore continuously strive to remain informed. They also know that others are depending on them to perform their responsibilities with completeness and thoroughness and in a professional manner.
4. Courteousness
Professionals recognize each individual's self worth and are courteous and polite to each person regardless of their position or profession. They respond to invitations to meetings or other professional and social functions in a timely manner. If they are going to be late for a meeting, they call ahead to the person in charge of the meeting to apologize and let them know when they expect to arrive. If they re going to be late and can't call ahead, they apologize to the person in charge of the meeting at the most appropriate time after arriving at the meeting. If they are unable to attend, they call with regrets.
5. Commitment
Professionals are committed to their profession and to the people they serve. They are committed to continuously maintaining the highest standards of conduct and ethics in their professional and private lives.
