healthcareprofessionals – JRM Nurse Consultants

November 11 2021

World Kindness Day

Too often, we hear stories of people committing suicide due to bullying, whether online or in person. Bullies are often struggling with their own unresolved issues, but that does not excuse harming others. Today, let’s commit to a new wave of kindness and respect—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, marital status, or even health choices.

The National Centre Against Bullying defines bullying as “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical, and/or social behavior that intends to cause harm.” This can occur individually or in groups, and it can affect anyone who feels powerless to stop it.

As a healthcare provider, I respect patients’ personal choices, even when I may not agree with them—whether it’s vaccination, smoking, alcohol, or elective procedures. Autonomy over one’s body is a principle we must honor. Today, we can practice that same respect in everyday interactions by being kind and considerate to others, even when we disagree.

Healthcare professionals also take oaths that emphasize respect, compassion, and removing personal bias. Nurses take the Nightingale Pledge, and physicians now follow a revised oath that asks them to eliminate bias, combat misinformation, and uphold the dignity and rights of all patients. These commitments remind us that respect and kindness are core to our profession and daily life.

On World Kindness Day, let’s be mindful of how we treat others, including respecting personal choices in healthcare, diet, or lifestyle. A small act of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s day.

Watch this inspiring video by Ikea: Ikea Kindness Video

May 05 2020

Compassion Comes from the Heart

As nurses, we have the ability to use compassion and genuinely want the best for our patients. We understand our patients and want to help them find the treatments that will support their health. However, not all healthcare providers exercise cultural competence or respect patients’ beliefs and wishes.

We must validate patients’ feelings, including fears about providing for their families. Some hospitals have case managers who prioritize financial considerations over patient safety, quickly sending patients elsewhere if they lack insurance. In these situations, nurse case managers and social workers act as peacemakers, advocating for the patient and refocusing the team on their care.

Cultural competence is key. Sometimes, healthcare culture imposes beliefs on patients, expecting them to accept a specific treatment method. The reality is, patients have a choice. When options are explained clearly, patients can make informed decisions that are best for them.

Healthcare staff need to remember that cultural sensitivity means respecting differences. Just because someone does things differently does not mean it is wrong—it is simply different (Barr & Dowding, 2012).

I’ve seen cultural dynamics in my own management experience. As a manager of a multicultural nursing and social work team, I encountered a nurse with a thick island accent. Her patients loved her, but another manager from England criticized her communication during case presentations. I defended her skills and case validity. Although the manager did not respond verbally, she challenged everything I said afterward. Situations like this discourage employees and can impact team morale.

Cultural competence, respect, and advocacy are essential for nurses. By fostering understanding and inclusivity, we create safer, more compassionate environments for patients and staff alike.

Reference:
Barr, J., & Dowding, L. (2012). What makes a leader? Leadership in healthcare (2nd ed., pp. 32-44). [Vital Source Bookshelf]

January 01 2020

Compassion in the NICU: Balancing Expertise, Empathy, and Family-Centered Care

One of the clinical challenges I see in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is staff complacency. When nursing becomes just a job, passion can be lost, and nurses may move through the motions. We may forget that what is routine for us is a first experience for the families we care for.

Approaching every patient and parent with kindness and empathy is critical. Body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions reveal our genuineness. Even when busy, we must prioritize compassion, putting ourselves in the parents’ shoes to determine the level of care they need.

A common issue in the NICU is assessing infant readiness for oral feeding in premature babies. Opinions vary among staff about the best approach. My experience as a mother allowed me to see both sides: as a parent and as a healthcare professional.

During my son’s NICU stay, he was fed initially via NG tube and later transitioned to bottle feedings. One weekend, I was feeding him multiple times while spending the day with him, but a nurse unfamiliar with us took over, claiming I was feeding him incorrectly and causing aspiration. I was only allowed to hold him. Despite prior arrangements with management for private-room feedings due to a hospital-acquired infection, the nurse acted abruptly.

I was devastated and cried for days. When I reported the incident to the head nurse, it was documented, and the weekend nurse later apologized. Ultimately, it was discovered that the baby’s aspiration was unrelated to how I fed him, and a Mickey G-tube was inserted to facilitate safe feeding and expedite discharge.

This experience highlights the importance of patient-centered care in the NICU. The Colorado model emphasizes including patients—and in this case, parents—in decision-making, respecting their preferences, religious or cultural considerations, and personal choices (Goode, Fink, Krugman, Oman, & Traditi, 2010). Nurses may excel technically, but if parents are excluded, care is incomplete. Compassion, communication, and inclusion are as essential as clinical expertise.

Reference:
Goode, C. J., Fink, R. M., Krugman, M., Oman, K. S., & Traditi, L. K. (2010, August 10). The Colorado patient-centered interprofessional evidence-based practice model: A framework for transformation. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 96–105.

March 03 2017

Feelings of Anxiety in Interdepartmental Collaboration

In healthcare, we often see anxiety arise when one department tells another what to do, especially when authority or control comes into question. These moments can quickly create tension and misunderstandings.

One solution I’ve found helpful is simple but powerful: managers should communicate directly with one another before any work begins in another department. When both leaders talk through the plan, they can identify the best time to proceed, avoid conflicts, and ensure the workflow is smooth. This prevents staff from being caught off guard or feeling disrespected.

Too often, situations are addressed reactively — one manager approaching another in frustration after a problem occurs. This only adds to the anxiety and makes collaboration harder. Instead, a proactive conversation can ease emotions and set clear expectations.

I always remind my colleagues: when one department enters another department’s space, they are a guest. Respecting that space fosters trust, reduces stress, and makes teamwork far more effective. In the end, collaboration isn’t about authority — it’s about partnership.

Reference
Miller, K. L., Reeves, S., Zwarenstein, M., Beales, J. D., Kenaszchuk, C., & Conn, L. G. (2008, June 2). Nursing Emotion Work and Interprofessional Collaboration in General Internal Medicine Wards: A Qualitative Study. JAN Original Research, 333–343.

October 10 2016

From NICU to Home: Supporting Parents of Premature Babies Through the Transition

Going home from the NICU can be one of the most stressful moments for parents of premature babies, especially without proper guidance. Families often face the challenge of caring for a baby who requires more attention than a full-term infant, and without a structured transition program, the stress can quickly become overwhelming.

The implications of current discharge practices are significant. Parents of premature babies may experience depression and anxiety due to the high level of responsibility and uncertainty. While in the NICU, families endure the emotional roller coaster of whether their baby will survive. Once the infant reaches a stable point, planning for home care begins. If the baby requires tube feedings, oxygen, a tracheostomy, or monitoring devices, major family adjustments are necessary. One parent may leave work to provide care, and missed home health visits can create unsafe situations, placing the primary caregiver under intense stress and extended hours of vigilance.

A multidisciplinary team—including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, child life specialists, and nurse educators or consultants—should support families during this transition. The bedside nurse is particularly critical, as they develop the closest relationship with the family and understand the baby’s daily needs.

Parents benefit from clear, step-by-step instructions, demonstrations, and written reference materials that they can consult at home (Ronan et al., 2015). Current educational resources often use full-term infants, which does not realistically reflect the challenges of premature babies with medical complexities. Future research should include infants of varying gestational ages and medical conditions to better guide transition programs.

By implementing structured transition programs, NICUs can help reduce parental stress, promote family safety, and improve long-term outcomes for premature infants.

Reference:
Ronan, S., Liberatos, P., Weingarten, S., Wells, P., Garry, J., O’Brien, K., & Nevid, T. (2015, March/April). Neonatal Network, 34(2), 102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.34.2.102

Years of experience in Work Comp, Case Management, Disease Management, Utilization Review and Prior Authorization.

Tag Archives: healthcareprofessionals

World Kindness Day

Compassion Comes from the Heart

Compassion in the NICU: Balancing Expertise, Empathy, and Family-Centered Care

Feelings of Anxiety in Interdepartmental Collaboration

From NICU to Home: Supporting Parents of Premature Babies Through the Transition