subject: How Much Integrity Do You Have? [print this page] How Much Integrity Do You Have? How Much Integrity Do You Have?
Personal growth in nursing and in life starts here, with integrity. Integrity comes into play in everything we do, in fact it's more than everything we do, it's everything we are. Having a high level of integrity is one of the most important characteristics we can possess. It is a core value, it is a choice and it is something we can nurture. Integrity is modeled all around us, yet its value in our society seems to be underrated.
Coming from a place of integrity means being truthful and honest. It means being reliable, it means trying to build rather than break, help rather than hurt, connect rather than crumble. Coming from a place of integrity means being authenticthe same you whether people or watching or not. We will not always be right or do right, but when we have integrity we step up: we accept responsibility for our actions, we feel remorse, we have an understanding of what went wrong and why it happened so that we can put a plan in place to ensure it won't happen again.
You know how a bad reputation follows you around? Well the fabulous thing about living life brimming with integrity is that it actually precedes you. Here is what I mean by that: if you tell the truth, even when you don't have to, do the right thing even when nobody is around to notice, honestly do your best, keep your promises, etc. then that is what people will assume of you, that becomes your character. This comes in very handy, so when you do make a mistake people tend to give you the benefit of the doubt. If you make a mistake, it will be easily forgiven. You see how the reputation comes first? Can you see how it could work in reverse as well, if you lack integrity, people will not trust, value or respect you?
Think about how integrity plays a role in your life, in the life of your family, and your nursing career. Think about what sort of values you are modelling, how are you modelling them, how can you live a life filled to overflowing with integrity. This could mean saying your son is 12, even if he looks 11 and 12 years olds have to pay. This may mean answering a call light of a patient who is not 'yours.' It might mean not making excuses for why you can't accommodate a request. Perhaps it is giving credit where credit is due? What might it mean to you? If you are not getting what you want out of your life, then look inside and see exactly what's going on in your life.
I know if we focus on coming from a place of integrity, our character will be strengthened, our relationships at home and at work will be strengthened and our life will be strengthened. Start by being honest and true to yourself and the rest will follow. One final pointit is not just the big things that count, it is the hundreds of little things we do every day that mould our character, that develop our integrity and that help us live our lives, unlimited!
