DiversityNursing Blog

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, where long hours, demanding schedules, and challenging situations are the norm, it's essential to take a moment to reflect on the things that make the Nursing profession uniquely rewarding. Let's delve into the aspects of the field Nurses are thankful for.

Support Systems

Nurses hold deep gratitude for the unwavering support and love they receive from their families and friends. 

Carol, RN, BSN said, "After practicing 36 years, I appreciate my family that have supported me, gone on without me over weekends and holidays, birthdays, etc. I appreciate how they listened when I came home and vented about a bad day of being short staff or cried due to losing a special patient. I apologize for the times I ruined meals talking medical jargon at the table that doesn’t bother me anymore while I eat. What I guess I am trying to say is thank you for supporting me in my career because I certainly could not have done it without you!"

Patient Success Stories

Experiencing the joy of seeing patients overcome challenges strengthens Nurses' dedication to positively impacting the lives of those under their care.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Josie Dotson, says "My job allows me to attend births and resuscitate 22-to-42-week infants, perform high-risk procedures, develop and manage care plans for NICU patients, and educate and support staff/families along the way. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing job where I make a difference in babies’ lives every day."

Professional Recognition

Nurses greatly appreciate the recognition of their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, both within the healthcare setting and from the broader community. It is crucial for them to feel valued and appreciated in their workplace, as it fuels their motivation to continue making a difference in the lives of those they care for.

Each year, as part of its National Nurses Week celebration, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital celebrates its Nurses with awards recognizing excellence in critical thinking, commitment to patient teaching, continuing education and outstanding delivery of patient- and family-centered care with compassion and dignity.

Patty Barfield, an Assistant Professor at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing, said the most meaningful recognition has come from patients. Recently, Barfield, who is also a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, received an email from a patient she saw 10 years ago. Now 25 and with a family, the man thanked her for how she helped him as a teen. 

“It was the nicest thing ever to know that you made a difference,” she said. 

Patient Connections 

Nurses cherish the profound bonds they form with their patients. These meaningful exchanges create a lasting impact on both the Nurse and the individual receiving care. Nurses consider it an honor to provide solace and guidance during moments of vulnerability.

Jen Tobon, a Lead Clinical Nurse at Johns Hopkins, was nominated for the DAISY Award by the mother of one of her patients. The patient had been in the hospital for some time, on another floor at first, before being transferred to Jen’s unit. In the nomination letter, the patient’s mother wrote that Jen provided wonderful care and went above and beyond to make her son’s birthday extra special. “When we arrived that morning, his doorway was decorated with balloons and a poster that all of the nurses signed with their well wishes. She coordinated with the fourth floor to have a party for him in the conference room and even drew his favorite Bluey characters on the whiteboard.” Thank you, Jen, for making your patient’s special day even more meaningful.

Team Collaboration

Nurses deeply appreciate the sense of camaraderie they experience when collaborating with doctors, therapists, and their fellow nurses. This close working relationship fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose, which ultimately creates a supportive and uplifting work environment.

Kathleen Lynam, after working as a Nurse for the majority of her life, has now moved away from bedside Nursing into coaching and teaching. She is most grateful for the lessons she learned while working with team members through hurricanes, blizzards, accreditation visits, power failures, and staffing crises.

Lynam has worked alongside some Nurses for more than 40 years. She celebrates these longtime friendships and the courage and perseverance they have shown her. She has a profound gratitude for her profession and all it's given her, like the resilience she witnesses in the people she's worked with most of her life.

"I have become grateful for a profession that has overcome unprecedented adversity," Lynam said. "My prayer for my profession is that we continually learn and support each other."

Advancements in Healthcare 

Nurses appreciate the continuous advancements in medical technology, treatments, and healthcare practices, which have revolutionized patient outcomes and elevated the effectiveness and fulfillment of their roles.

According to research, over 80% of Nurses believe that technology has improved their ability to provide quality care. This allows them to provide better patient care and helps reduce healthcare costs while ensuring everyone gets the best possible treatment. Technology has also enabled Nurses to stay connected as well as with other members of the healthcare team from any location – allowing them to collaborate more efficiently than ever before.

Professional Growth Opportunities 

Nurses are thankful for the countless opportunities to advance their careers within the profession. Whether they are pursuing advanced degrees, specializing in specific fields, or stepping into leadership roles, Nurses appreciate the continuous growth and evolution that comes with their chosen path.

Karrie Brazaski, a Nurse and healthcare Executive with three decades of experience says she owes her increased empathy and compassion to Nursing, along with her ability to climb the ladder from Staff Nurse to Chief Nursing Officer, to Chief Operating Officer, to now business owner and founder of Helping Healthcare Heroes.

Flexible Schedules 

Nurses are grateful for adaptability certain Nursing positions offer, including the availability of different shift options and part-time opportunities. These flexible schedules play a crucial role in fostering a harmonious work-life balance.

In a profession where compassion and care are at the forefront, Nurses find fulfillment in a myriad of aspects. This Thanksgiving, let's express gratitude for the remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others—our Nurses.

Lately, the media has been filled with reports of devastating wildfires in Maui, destructive flooding in Vermont, and powerful tornadoes and earthquakes. These natural disasters serve as a reminder of the importance for Nurses to be prepared for any emergency.

Nurses play a vital role in disaster response, and being well-prepared for natural disasters is crucial to ensure they can provide effective care during these emergencies.

Here are steps Nurses can take to be prepared for natural disasters:

1. Education and Training:

• Emergency Preparedness Courses: Nurses should consider taking courses in disaster preparedness and response. These courses often cover topics such as triage, emergency medical procedures, and disaster management protocols.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Maintaining current BLS and ACLS certifications is essential, as these skills are valuable in emergency situations.

• ICS/NIMS Training: Familiarize yourself with the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). These frameworks are used in disaster response and coordination.
  
  

2. Workplace Protocols:

• Nurses should be familiar with their healthcare facility's emergency protocols, including evacuation plans, roles and responsibilities during emergencies, and how to access emergency supplies.

• Participate in emergency response drills and exercises at your workplace to become comfortable with the procedures and to identify any areas that need improvement.
  
  

3. Personal Preparedness:

• Create a personal emergency plan for your family, including evacuation routes, meeting places, and communication strategies. Ensure everyone in your household understands the plan.

• Build a personal emergency kit that includes essentials like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, medications, flashlight, batteries, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Regularly update and refresh your emergency kit to ensure that supplies are not expired.
  
  

4. Stay Informed:

• Keep informed about potential disasters or emergencies by following local news, weather alerts, and official sources of information.

• Download emergency alert apps or subscribe to text alerts from local authorities.
  
  

5. Networking and Collaboration:

• Establish relationships with other healthcare professionals and organizations involved in disaster response. This can include local public health agencies, emergency medical services (EMS), and disaster relief organizations.

• Understand your role within a disaster response team and how to collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers.
  
  

6. Triage Training:

• Understand the principles of triage, which involve assessing and prioritizing patients based on the severity of their injuries or conditions.

• Practice triage scenarios to improve your ability to make quick and accurate decisions during emergencies.
  
  

7. Psychological Preparedness:

• Be aware of the emotional and psychological challenges that can arise during disasters. Understand how to provide emotional support to patients, families, and even colleagues.

• Consider taking courses or attending workshops on psychological first aid and stress management.
  
  

8. Documentation Skills:

• Emphasize the importance of accurate and thorough documentation during emergencies. Ensure that you are well-versed in charting procedures, both on paper and electronically.
  
  

9. Continuous Learning:

• Stay up-to-date with the latest guidelines and best practices for disaster response and emergency medicine.

• Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops related to disaster nursing and emergency preparedness.
  
  

10. Community Involvement:

• Participate in community disaster preparedness efforts. This involvement can help you better understand local risks and resources.

By following these steps, Nurses can enhance their preparedness for natural disasters, contributing to more effective and compassionate care during emergencies. Preparedness not only benefits Nurses but also the communities they serve.

For Nurses and healthcare professionals who provide care to elderly individuals, it is of utmost importance to be able to identify and report signs of elder abuse. Elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or neglect.

The National Council on Aging, estimates up to 5 million older Americans are abused every year, and the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion.

Here's a guide for Nurses to help identify and respond to signs of elder abuse:

Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the different types of elder abuse and their common signs. Understanding the various forms of abuse will make it easier for you to recognize them in your patients. 

Observe Physical Indicators: Look for unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, or other injuries. Pay attention to repeated injuries or injuries in various stages of healing. These may be signs of physical abuse.

Be Attentive to Behavioral Changes: Be mindful of changes in the elder's behavior, such as sudden withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, or unexplained changes in personality. These could indicate emotional or psychological abuse.

Watch for Signs of Neglect: Unkempt appearance, poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or the presence of pressure sores are potential signs of neglect.

Pay Attention to Financial Indicators: You might be in a situation where you are caring for someone in their home or a nursing home. Keep an eye out for sudden changes in the elder's financial situation, such as missing money, unauthorized withdrawals, or unusual changes to their will or financial documents, as these may indicate financial abuse.

Listen to Their Statements: Sometimes, the elder may hint or express directly that they are experiencing abuse. Take their concerns seriously and document their statements appropriately.

Communicate with Family and Caregivers: Engage in open communication with family members and caregivers. They may provide valuable information and insights into the elder's situation.

Use Screening Tools: Some healthcare facilities may have screening tools to assess the risk of elder abuse. Utilize these tools to identify potential cases.

Document Thoroughly: When you suspect elder abuse, document your observations and conversations carefully. Include dates, times, and details of what you observed or what the elder disclosed.

Report Suspected Abuse: If you have reasonable suspicion or evidence of elder abuse, follow your institution's protocols and report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the supervisor, social worker, or Adult Protective Services (APS) in your area.

Support the Elder: Offer support and empathy to the elder. Let them know that you are there to help and that their safety is a priority.

Remember, reporting elder abuse is not only an ethical responsibility but may also be a legal requirement in many States. Taking action promptly can protect vulnerable older adults from further harm and help them access the support and resources they need.