Connecting, Learning, & Leading at Work
The last 5 years have been full of challenges in healthcare. New diseases, overwhelming inpatient loads, staffing crises, medication and supply shortages, death, trauma, increasing violence against healthcare workers… … the list goes on and on. The outcomes of these challenges have varied, and as usually happens, have included both positive and negative results. While … Read more
It’s almost February – How are you doing with your 2024 Goals and New Year’s Resolutions? I have trouble with New Year’s resolutions. When I’ve made them, they’ve often been vague with no clear path to success Or, I set goals so high that I’m paralyzed by the fear of failing (and yes, it’s taken … Read more
Have you ever had a day that made you want to scream? Then, you couldn’t quit thinking about the day and what you did (or didn’t do)? Workdays – especially in healthcare – can be super stressful. The stress can build and build, and if it’s not dealt with in a constructive manner, it can … Read more
Being a preceptor can be very rewarding. Occasionally though, a preceptee may be dealing with issues that make it difficult for them to progress on their road to success. These difficult situations can also lead to frustration and burnout of you, the preceptor, unless you have the tools and support needed to help your preceptee … Read more
There was a knot in the pit of my stomach. Whenever I thought about the conversation I needed to have, that knot would grow bigger until it filled my stomach and made me nauseous. What if they became angry? What if I became angry? What if I trip over my words and mess the whole … Read more
Feedback can be difficult to give, and as a result many people just avoid it. Instead, learn to give effective feedback using a simple tool.
Originally posted Feb 5, 2023 I attended a nurse’s funeral yesterday. It was for Doug, the brother of a friend of mine who was senselessly shot while visiting a home health patient. As I sat there listening to people tell their experiences with Doug, a much clearer picture emerged than the one I had from … Read more
I teach a class for people who will be precepting new staff and students at a small healthcare organization. One day about a year and a half into the pandemic, one of the nurses in my class just started crying. She had become an ICU nurse and started her career near the beginning of the … Read more