Like it or not, you are a role model

AORN Journal,  July, 2006  by Nancy J. Girard

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During the 1970s and 1980s, many studies were conducted and many articles were written on the importance of role models. This concept still is one of the most vital in teaching and practice today, and it was reinforced for me recently when I met a nurse who had been a student of mine long ago. I did not recall her name or her face, as I have taught hundreds of students since she was a student. When I asked how she was doing, she responded enthusiastically that she is a perioperative nurse in an OR in the Midwest and loves her job, her coworkers, and her hospital.

She told me that I was responsible for her career decision. I had taught her in nursing school during her first medical-surgical course. All of the students were required to observe in the OR once or twice during the semester. She remembered that I had told her to watch carefully because the OR was one place where she could observe teamwork and that this is an area where nurses are considered an important and vital part of the team. I do not remember saying this, but my words had an effect on her. She told me that this statement had stuck in her mind and her heart through the rest of her education as she observed nurses in many other roles. By the time she graduated, she had made the decision to become a perioperative nurse.

This story reflects Bandura's theory that "occupational pursuits and untoward life paths often arise through the most trivial of circumstances." (1) As I reflected on this, it rather scared me. What an effect my one, little, off-the-cuff statement had on this individual. Then I began to wonder what else I have said and done during the years that may have inadvertently affected someone, either positively or negatively.

ROLE MODELS

We are all role models, whether we like it or not. Our actions, words, body language, and behavior are always being observed by others. Students in the OR are astute observers. As an academician as well as a perioperative nurse, I hear almost daily that a student either loved the OR experience or hated it. There does not seem to be much middle ground. After many discussions with students, I have come to believe that it is almost always a student's impression of the perioperative nurse that makes the difference between that student loving or hating the OR experience.

In this era of a growing shortage of nurses, we are all concerned about having enough new nurses in the perioperative field. AORN's 2006 "Position statement on responsibility for mentoring" states that nursing students and

   perioperative registered
   nurses entering clinical,
   management, and leadership
   roles ... need a
   support system, role models, and
   guidance to advance the practice of
   perioperative nursing. (2)(p1321)

The statement continues to say that a perioperative RN mentor also will "model professional behavior...." (2)(p1321)

Positive role-model behaviors are essential to the recruitment and retention of nurses. Recently, a nursing student was present in an OR when a surgeon was verbally abusing the scrub person and residents in a loud voice. The circulating nurse quietly and calmly said to him, "Doctor, you really need to use your inside voice here." The surgeon looked sheepish and quieted down. The incident was defused quickly, and those brief, professional words and her behavior had an immediate effect on everyone in the room. The rest of the surgery progressed smoothly. This incident greatly impressed the student, who immediately reported the positive role-model behavior to me. The perioperative nurse who modeled this behavior probably will not remember her words or actions, but she demonstrated excellent role modeling. I have no doubt that the student will not forget this positive example.

Role-model behavior may include demonstrating competence in skills, maintaining a sense of humor, staying flexible, exhibiting confidence, promoting a positive environment, and showing respect for others. (3) These characteristics are supported by recent research on role-model behaviors perceived by nursing students. (4) Hongo et al investigated nursing students' perceptions of nurses' role-model behavior. The researchers found that students identified a positive role model as one who

* interacts with everyone in a sincere manner,

* is professional and acts with conviction,

* provides nursing care to patients with respect,

* controls his or her own emotions when providing patient care,

* performs nursing care based on professional knowledge and skills, and

* provides patient-centered care in various roles. (4)

If you recall an incident when your professional career was affected by a role model, either positively or negatively, consider writing it up and sending it to me. Letters of 200 words or fewer will be published in the "Letters to the Editor" column.

BEING A ROLE MODEL

All nurses become role models whether we intend to or not. Being aware of the effect our behavior has on others is vital. As nurses progress from novice to expert, how they perform their job functions can become automatic. Many nurses forget to demonstrate the small things. Students new to the OR can benefit from an experienced nurse thinking out loud when giving care to patients. When students see the positive outcomes of nursing care, they will learn and grow. This also may result in an increase in the number of perioperative nurses entering the field. I will close with a quote from Barbara Stevens Barnum, RN, that sums up the essence of nurse mentoring.