Impressions count.

Nursing has long been preoccupied with its own image (Kalish & Kalish, 1987). However, the professional image of license practical/vocational nurses is vitally significant because it influences not only how you feel about yourself, but how others including physicians, other professionals, and patients relate to you and how much responsibility and empowerment you have. Your power to speak as a patient advocate and to influence policy decisions is intricately related to your image as work and in the community. Professional image is complex and is the result of impressions made by appearance, written communication, attitudes and behaviors, and time management. Frequently, the impressions you make in the first twelve seconds of meeting an individual is the one they will retain about you. Since ultimately, the image the public has of your profession begins with you attention to professional image involves a 365 day a year commitment (Stille, 1992).