FIRM IT UP Bad handshakes leave bad first impressions.

DEAR KATHY:

When I told a colleague about an upcoming interview, she politely told me that I needed to improve my handshake. Do handshakes really matter?

— HANDSHAKE HARRIET

DEAR HARRIET:

Yes, they do. You want to present a confident and firm handshake. Those few seconds of "shaking" can weaken or empower a relationship. Some tips:

• Extend your right hand horizontally with your thumb up.
• Engage the person's hand web-to-web with a firm grip. The web between your thumb and index finger should be touching the other person's web.
• Look the person you're shaking hands with in the eye.
• Handshake grip should be no harder than the strength that you'd use to hold a door handle.
• Shake 2 or 3 times, and drop your hand.

DEAR KATHY:

I'm confused by the alphabet soup that many nurses use after their names for their academic and certification credentials. What do you suggest?

— ALPHABET ANNIE

DEAR ANNIE:

This alphabet soup is not only confusing to you; it is confusing to the public and other healthcare providers. Basically, there are 6 types of credentials that can be used after a name.

• Degree (for example, BSN, MSN)
• Licensure (for example, RN, LPN)
• State designation or entitlement (for example, CRNA)
• National certification (for example, RN,C)
• Awards of honor (for example, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing [FAAN])
• Other certifications (for example, certification for computer skills)

A general rule is to follow your name with the highest credential that can least be taken away from you, in descending order, with awards or fellowships last. For example, let's use "Mary Maloney, MSN, RN, CRNA." The MSN degree cannot be taken away. The licensure could be revoked and the certification could be taken away if the licensure is lost. Mary could certainly list additional degrees and credentials if it would help her when applying for a particular position. Although she has an ADN and BSN, it's not necessary to include them since the highest degree is used.

PHONE MANNERS Conference calls carry their own rules of etiquette

DEAR KATHY:

Our 4 centers are planning to replace face-to-face monthly office meetings with conference calls. Do you have any tips to avoid speakerphone blunders?

— BARNEY IN BIRMINGHAM

DEAR BARNEY:

Here are 5 tips to keep in mind for your calls.

• When the call begins, identify everyone in the room.
• Identify yourself whenever you speak. Don't assume your voice will be recognized.
• Don't carry on side conversations during the call.
• Tell your listeners if you have to leave the call.
• Don't use your speaker phone for listening to your voice mail. It could be embarrassing to the person who left a message intended only for your ears.