1
Establishing Professional Presence to Promote a Healthy Work Environment
Reflection Paper
Samantha R. Morales
Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University
D024: Professional Presence and Influence
Gina Loveitt
, 2
Establishing Professional Presence to Promote a Healthy Work Environment
A career in healthcare is often categorized by high stress, emotional labor, and quick and
accurate decision-making. For nurses, this often contributes to burnout and incivility. Social and
emotional intelligence (SEI) power skills like self-awareness, self-management, interpersonal
communication, executive function, and social awareness are essential for advanced professional
nurses to navigate these ongoing challenges (The Power of Emotional Intelligence | the
American Society of Administrative Professionals, n.d.). These skills not only foster resilience
and collaboration, but are also aligned with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Framework for Improving Joy in Work (Perlo et al., 2017). These skills can be strategically
applied to manage difficult workplace situations and cultivate joy in the healthcare setting (Horn,
2018).
Using Each SEI Power Skill to Manage Difficult Workplace Situations
Self-awareness is the foundational SEI skill that enables nurses to recognize their
emotions, values, and triggers (Prezerakos, 2018). Individuals with high self-awareness are better
equipped to understand how their behavior affects others and can learn how to adapt their own
behaviors to promote better communication and a healthy work environment (Harley, 2024). In
stressful situations, this skill allows nurses to pause before reacting, leading the way for
thoughtful responses that can de-escalate conflict (Harley, 2024).
Self-management involves regulating one’s emotions and behaviors in response to
changing circumstances (Prezerakos, 2018). Self-management enables nurses to remain calm
during emergencies, manage stress proactively, and maintain professionalism under pressure
(Bradberry & Greaves, 2009). Self-management combined with wellness techniques supports
Establishing Professional Presence to Promote a Healthy Work Environment
Reflection Paper
Samantha R. Morales
Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University
D024: Professional Presence and Influence
Gina Loveitt
, 2
Establishing Professional Presence to Promote a Healthy Work Environment
A career in healthcare is often categorized by high stress, emotional labor, and quick and
accurate decision-making. For nurses, this often contributes to burnout and incivility. Social and
emotional intelligence (SEI) power skills like self-awareness, self-management, interpersonal
communication, executive function, and social awareness are essential for advanced professional
nurses to navigate these ongoing challenges (The Power of Emotional Intelligence | the
American Society of Administrative Professionals, n.d.). These skills not only foster resilience
and collaboration, but are also aligned with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Framework for Improving Joy in Work (Perlo et al., 2017). These skills can be strategically
applied to manage difficult workplace situations and cultivate joy in the healthcare setting (Horn,
2018).
Using Each SEI Power Skill to Manage Difficult Workplace Situations
Self-awareness is the foundational SEI skill that enables nurses to recognize their
emotions, values, and triggers (Prezerakos, 2018). Individuals with high self-awareness are better
equipped to understand how their behavior affects others and can learn how to adapt their own
behaviors to promote better communication and a healthy work environment (Harley, 2024). In
stressful situations, this skill allows nurses to pause before reacting, leading the way for
thoughtful responses that can de-escalate conflict (Harley, 2024).
Self-management involves regulating one’s emotions and behaviors in response to
changing circumstances (Prezerakos, 2018). Self-management enables nurses to remain calm
during emergencies, manage stress proactively, and maintain professionalism under pressure
(Bradberry & Greaves, 2009). Self-management combined with wellness techniques supports
