10 ways to Stop Being Unaccountable for Your Profession.

"Stop Being Unaccountable for Your Profession"...Huh? Yes it may seem to be a bit off the map, but is it really? I can remember in nursing school, how eager my classmates and I were in learning any and everything about the nursing profession, it's practices, and standards, but where the struggle ensued is when we went from students to nurses in working environments that don't always seem to mesh with nursing practice and standards? The day to day busy work can remove us further and further away from the bigger picture that we as nurses are all accountable and have ownership in the direction that our profession takes. To remain or become more accountable in the nursing profession, one that will eventually take care of every person at some point in life in some capacity, I have found the following helpful for me in my journey of accountability: 

1. Listen-Knowledge is gained when we are open to hearing it. 
2. Speak Up-Use your voice, every different perspective offers a unique solution.
3. Know the Nursing Laws/Standards-You have to be aware of what governs you in order to follow or challenge to improve them.  
4. Hold Each Other Accountable to the Laws/Standards-To maintain integrity and trust, you can't turn you head to what we all should be doing to make great strides within the profession.
5. Develop Solutions-When you know the problem, that's half of the equation develop the remedies as well.
6. Remove Personal Preferences/Personal Benefits-The profession isn't about individuals; you may have great ideas but when it appears to be only beneficial to you the genuineness is challenged by others.
7. Share your Solutions-Don’t be afraid, your solution can only be considered if it is known.
8. Be Constructive-Valuable feedback gets far better results than just complaining or negativity.
9. Develop a Plan-You have the solutions…you’ve shared them, now you need a plan, bring the data and present it via the proper chain.
10. Stand United-When there is a consensus, support the spokesperson and the profession. If you don't agree with a point, don't wait until the end of a process to share, use those opportunities to share early on.

Please share, if you have other ways to stop being unaccountable...