My Strengths

When I started working as a nurse was when I started knowing who I really am. Growing up, I always thought that I was unable to connect with others; I always thought of myself as being distant and somewhat detached; nursing thought me otherwise, or it brought out a different side of me. It always takes me by surprise when my supervisors thank and praise me for being a great team member; I’ve always preferred working alone in school. Now at work, whether its do to my supervisors’ praises, I found myself helping out, teaching others, and being so involve with my peers. Nursing, or my current job position, made me a leader. Having to oversee/supervise the work of my AMAP staff and being responsible for training them really brought out the leader in me; I’ve learned how to educate and to be patient. I’ve also learned how to fight for my patients; how to advocate for them.

My impression of WIT

As healthcare providers, we often forget to see and treat our patients for what they are, human beings. One the things that was troubling Vivian is that somewhere along the way, she stopped being a person and, instead, was reduced to a mere medical case. It’s very demeaning when you’re lying in a hospital bed, powerless, while people are poking at you, talking as if you weren’t there; objectifying you. One might argue that healthcare providers are busy people and have no time for niceties; however we must keep in mind that those we care for also have emotional needs. It makes a big difference when we ask our patients permission before we touch them, or just spend few minutes to ask them about their concerns; it makes them feel valued, conveys respect, and most importantly lets them know that what they feel matters; it empowers them. We have to care for our patients holistically. Objectifying our patients raises another barrier; it hinders good communication. As seen in the video, providers, while discussing her case, were using medical terms or they would just ask her how she’s feeling without really expecting an answer, or rather expecting her to be ok. When communicating with those we care for, it paramount that we create an environment where they can truly express themselves, and most importantly we have to listen. We often expect our patients to be strong and though, and by doing so we keep them from talking to us. The doctors in the video were expecting Vivian to be strong and pressed that on her, so when she was scared she couldn’t really talk to them, she was burdened by their expectations of her. One might not fully understand what patients, such as Vivian, are going through; however we can agree that this is a very traumatic situation. It important that our patients feel that they are not alone, that they have someone who can listen, someone who can sympathize, and someone who cares; an open line of communication is how we give them that. We shouldn’t expect them to be strong, or to smile, or to be okay; in fact, I believe, that the only expectation we should have of them is for them to be human.

As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to be truthful to our patients, to present them with all the information they need to make informed decisions, and most importantly let them be the ones who decide how they want to be cared for. Our patient have a right to know what is expected from the treatment they are receiving, and if such treatment if failing we have to be truthful. Not being honest with patients is potentially harmful to them; it gives them false hope. In the Video, when Vivian was in pain, the nurse told her she was getting a PCA; however, when the doctor walked in he decided otherwise. In situations such as this one, the patient should be presented with options regarding her pain management and she alone should make a choice. As nurses, we have to advocate for our patients, and we must not give up. In situations such as this, it’s imperative that the nurse reminds the patient that he has options and that the decision to choose among them is solely his. Nurses are sometimes overlooked; in the movie, no one stopped the code until the doctor told them that Vivian was DNR. It is time that nurses get the acknowledgment that they deserve; we advocate for our patients, perhaps its time we start advocating for ourselves.

 

Advocacy Report

Advocacy Activity Report    

Nurses House is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping nurses in need of care. I was very pleased to learn that there are people out there who are lending a hand to the nursing community. The organization started in 1922 and has provided financial help to countless nurses dealing with illness, disability or injuries since. The nurses they provide for are between 20 and 80 years of age. According to their website, they provided over $261,000 in assistance to nurses in need in 2016. The organization relies on donations to meet their goals.

After reading up on what they do and stand for, I thought it might be a good idea to help Nurses House raise money to help my fellow nurses. They organize many fundraising events throughout the year; however, I have not attended any, but I’m planning on doing so in the near future. Despite not being able to attend any events, I was able to participate and help the cause by creating a fundraising page and making a small donation of my own. After creating my fundraising page, I got in contact with a few of my colleagues and friends, and to encourage them to donate as well. And though my attempts at raising money to help my fellow nurses have not been particularly fruitful, I will continue in my efforts to help. With that in mind, I will do my best to volunteer during their upcoming events, and continue my attempts at raising money for the organization.

As a nurse, I learned to always advocate for my patients; to protect them, care for them and stand up for them to the best of my abilities. But, unless a fellow nurse was my patient, I wouldn’t think of doing the same of him/her. In fact, the though that a nurses need help never crossed my mind. I was very happy to learn about Nurses House and what they do; it really gave me a new perspective; it is not only our patients who need advocating for, but also anybody who is in need. There are many nurses out there who require our support.