Breaking point

With the announcement of Robin Williams death, a few thoughts come to mind.  We cannot see into someone's heart and soul.  While an individual appears strong, funny, responsible, kind and compassionate on the outside, we never know what is really going on inside.

• To nurse educators:  Do not teach by intimidation.  Do not look at a student and say, "Why are you here, you will never be a nurse!" 
• To administrators, directors, managers: Why would you belittle another nurse?  Why would you say, "you are a poor representation of a head nurse" or "you are incompetent, what is wrong with you?" or "I don't care if it is your vacation time, it is your weekend and you must work, no, a prn nurse cannot work for you!" 
• To staff nurses who work side by side: Why would you sit on your tail while another is running around attempting to care for patients and laugh because your co worker is near tears? 

What happened to smiling and saying, "we can work through this, yes, take your vacation and enjoy time with your family."  "Let's work together to build you up and see how we can you a better head nurse." "Tell me what you are struggling with, we can work on it." "What can I do to make things better for you?"


We are to provide dignity and integrity to those we serve and that does not only mean the patient and their family.  As a nurse educator, I must provide dignity and integrity to my students.  I must find a way to build them up for success instead of attempting to set them up for failure.  This holds true to administration, directors, managers, and co workers.  We MUST provide integrity and dignity with human compassion to all we serve!


We never know what straw will be the one to break the camel's back.  We must learn to be kind, even when we need to deliver constructive criticism.  We must provide kindness, compassion, dignity, integrity, and respect.  Until we stand up and say, "I am not going to take your maltreatment anymore!", horizontal violence in nursing will continue.  Will you push someone over the edge with your comments or will your comments prevent them from going over the edge?


Education, role play, being a servant leader, providing respect, and refusing to participate in HV in nursing are all ways to nip it in the bud!!  Heaven help us all, it may help make us better people outside of work as well.  Do not be the one to push someone to the brink, be the one who will catch them as they fall and help them stand up again.


One person can make a difference and that person is you!


On the journey with you,
Jodi