Why is collegiality important to you personally as well as professionally regardless of your educator role?

Collegiality is a workplace expectation which allows promotion of positive work environments and cooperation between colleagues (Balsmeyer et al.,1996). As a bedside nurse in the emergency department, I believe that the expectation of collegiality in the workplace is imperative in maintaining a balanced and trusted work environment. As a unit we function and provide optimal patient care as a team. Under extremely stressful situations which are presented every minute we benefit tremendously from the expectations of displaying respect for colleagues, removing prejudice from our actions, and maintaining professional conduct in the workplace. As a professional this impacts the relationships nurses have with the interprofessional team that collaborate on improving patient care. Workplace collegiality can also affect the personal life of any employee. Returning to a toxic work environment is not only the cause of physical but mental fatigue. As an outside point of view, patients that are being provided care in healthcare facilities can also be effected by the collegiality displayed by medical providers. Jarvis (2012) recognizes that collegiality can often be mistaken for the importance of management of work environments through leadership whereas its importance lies in the synergistic effects of equal distribution of voice and power. These values carry into my personal life outside of work as well. Collegiality has affected my academic journey and my values of education. Collegiality has allowed me to create trusting relationships with peers and maintain friendships in my personal life.

Give examples of one negative and one positive aspects of collegiality?

A negative aspect of collegiality would include evaluating a student with emphasis on personality traits which are emphasized in collegiality instead of overall performance in the classroom. As educators we should take into consideration the uniqueness of each individual and their ways of learning.

A positive aspect of collegiality would include creating a positive work environment by promoting the respect of colleagues and emphasizing the importance of teamwork. This allows for optimal work performance including patient care in the healthcare setting. An example of positive collegiality in the workplace is a committee where employees are free to join and present their opinions and concerns for potential or current issues they are experiencing in the workplace. This committee values the respect of each individuals thoughts and opinions and seeks to organize solutions based on agreement of all staff members. 

 

References

Balsmeyer, B., Haubrich, K., & Quinn, C. (1996). Defining collegiality within the academic setting. Journal of Nursing Education, 35(6), 264-267.

Jarvis, A. (2012). The Necessity for Collegiality: Power, Authority and Influence in the Middle. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 40(4), 480-493. https://doi-org.library.esc.edu/10.1177/17411432