Sunday, February 24, 2013

Relationship-Based Care

Jayne Felgen, President of Creative Health Care Management

At my recent nursing forum we were very honored to have Marie Manthey come speak. Within her speech she shared a personal story of hers back when she was around 5 years old. Back then parents had really short visiting allowances and so felt very lonely. However, she had a great nurse who made a huge impact on her by coloring in her coloring book. So from being influenced by the nurse who colored in her coloring book she knew she wanted to become a nurse because she wanted people to feel cared for just like she was. Marie Manthey is a founder of Creative Health Care Management. Creative Health Care Management really focuses on transforming cultures through relationship-Based Care.

Relationship Based care (RBC)
"A culture transformation model that improves safety, quality,  patient satisfaction by improving every relationship within an organization (Creative Health Care Management (CHCM), 2012)." This is important to the health care world culture because their is a reconnection of purpose and meaning of work and the art of teamwork is a true commitment rather than a burden. RBC also makes patients and their families feel better cared for because they feel connected to their health care and the professionals within.

Improving 3 critical relationships by implementing Relationship-Based Care

1. Relationship between caregivers and the patients and families they serve
 "In RBC the caregiver-patient/family relationship is one in which the caregiver consistently maintains the patient and family as his or her central focus (CHCM,2012).

2. The Caregivers relationship with self.
Without a clear understanding of one’s self, a person’s emotional reactions may adversely affect their capacity for care giving and teamwork.

3. The relationship among members of the health care team.
"The delivery of compassionate quality care requires a commitment by all members of the organization within all clinical disciplines to accept responsibility for establishing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships" (CHCM, 2012).

I really think relationship-Based Care can really make some huge improvements in the health care system. We want all of our patients to get the best quality care we can, and this gives them the that. Sometimes I feel we lose sight of the partnership that needs to be created when taken care of others. We get so wrapped up on how busy we are, and just don't take the time to slow down and appreciate everyone involved in what we do. I am very inspired about this model and also by Marie Manthey who I have talked about before in past posts. I want to be that nurse who makes an impact and inspire others.

References:
Creative Health Care Management. (2012). Relationship-Based Care. Retrieved from http://chcm.com/relationship-based-care/

Power of Teamwork & lessons of the Geese

I did a speech at our annual schools nursing forum on 2/19/13, where all cohorts who are in our nursing program come together for new updates and speakers. Past all of the anticipation and my heart beating out of my chest I talked about teamwork. As I am almost done with nursing school I have been reflecting on how much teamwork has been a huge part of this nursing program and my the nursing environment. I feel as though sometimes we take teamwork for granted, like it will always be there. But if we don't prove ourselves as a vital part of the team, the team is not always going to be there. So here is a little bit about teamwork and some lessons from the wise geese with their V formations as it relates to teamwork.


Have you ever watched a flock of geese flying in their traditional "V" formation, heading for Canada?

Well, two engineers learned that each bird, by flapping its wings, creates an uplift for the bird that follows. Together, the whole flock gains something like 71 percent greater flying range than if they were traveling alone.

 Similar to people who are part of a team the geese reach their goal quicker and easier because they travel on the trust of one another and lift each other up along the way.




Team: Together everyone achieves more

True teamwork is the rarest, most exhilarating, and most productive human activity possible. Everyone wants to harness this incredible energy, but achieving such a level of motivation is not always easy.
 

A team is not just a group of individuals who work at the same location or have the same logo on their business card. A real team is not only made up of people who may be unequal in experience, talent, or education, but who are equal in their commitment to working together to achieve the goals and greatness of the organization, each other and in our case our patients.


1.Asking questions.
I float to 14 units that ranges from ICU, medsurg, oncology, and many other types of specialties. Which means 14 different codes, 14 different work environments, and 14 different types of work flows that add up to be to a whole lot of different types of questions. And trying to find things like the thermometers and sharps containers are all in different spots in the patient’s room is , and let me tell you the supply rooms are a whole different story, sometimes I swear it is trying to find a needle in a haystack. So yes I ask those questions realizing that like most of us at this early stage are all trying to impress our coworkers, our colleagues, and our instructors and may think that asking questions may make us look weak or dumb, but I have found that asking questions promotes patient safety and builds respect within each other. Which brings me into my next component I use.




2. Respect-
As nurses we have to work with every kind of person, every kind of personality, and every kind of attitude.  We have to work with it all. We can’t say I don’t want to work with that patient, doctor, colleague, or manager because we don’t really like them or agree with them. That is not what nursing care is about. We are not always going to like or agree with everyone we work with, and that’s okay. But we can do is respect each other and make what we have to do together successful. 




3.Common goal-                                               
The majority of us here today are nursing students and we all have the common goal to become a nurse. We are currently working on that goal as we continue nursing school together. We help one another in clinical, study groups and in times of stress like our simulations. Then soon we will be nurses, nurses who have the common goal to give patients the best quality care we can. Helping each other achieve that when we have busy patient assignments.

These three components have helped me personally and will help me in my nursing practice.  I would like to conclude this presentation with four lessons heading back into the world of a goose

1.When a goose falls out of the V formation it feels the drag and resistance of trying to get through it alone and finds itself quickly repositioning itself into the V and once again has the advantage of the power of the flock.

If we benefit from the lessons of the geese we will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

2. When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.





It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

 
3. The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

 
4. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or passes on. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong because as a team everyone achieves more.
I am not going to lie, I was absolutely petrified to talk in front of all of the nursing students and some of the professors, but being forced to do this, made me realize that I can do it. I worked really really hard on this and kept switching things around because I wanted it to be the best it could be. Could of it been better? Yes, I am sure it probably could have been, but I am happy with it knowing that I did the best I could. I am also really proud of my classmates who also did speeches, they did great and it was fun listening to them "voice" what is important to them.
 
 
 

Friday, February 15, 2013

What are your strengths?!


Find your strengths through VIA ME!

If you are anything like me, sometimes there is more focus on the "weaknesses" that we have. We focus a lot on our problems, struggles, and stressors when we really need to focus on the good in ourselves. As a leader, it is important to know what your strengths are and also what your teams strengths are. Knowing strengths helps with increase productivity, improve patient outcomes, and enhance teamwork.   It may also give you insight into why some parts of your job are enjoyable while others fill you with dread. If you have the luxury of adjusting the scope of your job then of course you should focus on the tasks that draw on your strengths.

Finding your strengths through VIA ME! will provide you with pertinent information that focuses on a "strengths-based" approach to life. They say that a strengths-based approach:
  • Is honest (acknowledges problems, but doesn't get lost in them);
  • Is positive (focuses on what is best and good);
  • Is empowering (encourages and advances the individual);
  • Is energizing (uplifts and fuels the person);
  • Is connecting (brings the person closer to others, aiding in mutual connection).
This VIA ME strength finder is 240 questions, but it actually goes really fast! I answered all of the questions and my results were:

Your top strength is: Teamwork
You excel as a member of a team. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, who always does your share. You work hard for the success of your group.

Second Strength is: Fairness
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You give everyone a chance.


Third Strength is: Gratitude
You are aware of the good things that happen to you and you never take them for granted.

 
Fourth strength is: Kindness
You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor.
 

Fifth strength is: Social Intelligence
You are aware of the motives and feelings of other people. You know what to do to fit in to different social situations.

 
 
I think these results are very accurate and it helps with my confidence. It is FREE but there is an option for a more in depth part of the results, where you can pay in-between $20-40 dollars on it if you want. I would encourage you to at least try the free one to find out what your strengths are!! Click here to go to the VIA ME! website --> VIA ME!


ViaMe! (2012). Build a strength-based life. Retrieved from:https://www.viame.org/www/en-us/aboutviame.aspx

Nursing Salons

The idea of a nursing salon is where a group people get together, who are mostly nurses, and  they engage in conversations of nursing topics. This gives nurses and others the opportunities to talk about challenges, passions, and new things that come about in nursing. Mostly it is just about whatever anyone wants to talk about, and what is on their mind at that particular time. Nursing salons are meant to be free conversation, informal, and stress free. A lot of the people that come to these nursing salons are nurses but anyone can attend. Most of the people that attend these nursing salons are people who hear it from word of  mouth or from their work place. Salons are usually held monthly, and are usually on different nights allowing more accommodations for everyone. Salon meetings can go in-between two to four hours long, and the hosts usually provide water, pop, wine, tea, coffee, dinner, dessert and hospitality.  People who attend these meetings can include a huge mix examples include registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practioners, DNP's, and graduate nursing students from all over twin cities. This diversity that emerges because of this is amazing, and great outcomes and networking come about because of it.


            The Nursing Salons came about because of a lady named Marie Manthey. She states in her website that she developed the concept of nursing salons because she loved the concept of nurses getting together in thoughtful conversation and talking about the nursing profession. Marie Manthey is a very experienced nurse where she had spent 25 years as a nurse in the hospital serving as nurse and many other positions including a vice president. After that she spent another 25 years where she developed a consulting company where they come up with new idea to make the profession better and better (Manthey, 2007, n.p). Sigma Theta Tau International is the honor society of nursing, which the University of Minnesota is affiliated with Zeta chapters and the nursing salons. For the Zeta chapter nursing students, faculty, and alumni are all able to apply for their membership, along with other nurses who are working in the area. In the Zeta chapter they are members who are “interested in promoting excellence in practice, research and education. They are always learning and developing professionally and desiring connection with like-minded nurses in the state and around the world,” (Sigma Theta Tau International, n.p, 2012). Michael Petty who is the host of a lot of the nursing salons was the past Zeta chapter’s president.

            The last meeting I attended was around a year ago. It was a GREAT experience and I can't wait to go again. Most importantly I learned the significance of this event to the nursing field and how great of an impact these salons can have on the nursing profession. These salons can get nurses out of struggling times, and allow them to vent to people who understand exactly what they are going through. Sometimes venting to family members who aren’t in the same profession is not enough. 

For more information, go to the Zeta Chapter of STTI website (www.nursing.umn.edu/stti/events) and be sure to either RSVP at least 24 hours in advance or call them so they know you are coming.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

*Appreciation*~Influence~*Control* (AIC)

Appreciation, Influence, and Control is considered to be a philosophy, theory, model, and a process.  It illustrates the relationship between purposes and power, and ensures that the maximum possible energy is brought to bear on the achievements of any purpose. It is equally applicable at individual, organizational and community levels.
 
AIC is an organizing process which consists of:
  • Identifying the purpose to be served;
  •  Framing the power-field around that purpose -- those who have control, influence and appreciation relative to the purpose; 
  •  Selecting those with the most influence relative to the purpose (stakeholders) from the three circles and designing a process of interaction between them; and 
  •  Facilitating a self-organizing process which ensures that the stakeholders: 
    • step back from the current problems to fully appreciate the realities and possibilities inherent in the whole situation; 
    • examine the logical and strategic options as well as the subjective feelings and values involved in selecting strategies.
    •  allow for free and informed choice of action by those responsible for implementing decisions.



 AAppreciation: the power we use in relating to the "whole" system

IInfluence: the power we use in relating to other "parts" of the system

CControl: the power we use with ourselves as an "individual part" of the whole system

       
The dimensions of appreciation are represented by:


    Spirit
    Discovery
    Enlightenment
    Love
    Social
    Evolution
    Beauty
    Aesthetic
    Appraisal
 
 
 
 
 
Influence is represented as:
 
 
Reason
philosophical
diplomacy
trust
political
Negotiation
Pragmatism
Agreement



Control is represented as:

Truth
Scientific
Policy
Omnipotence
Technical
Strategy
Equanimity
Economics

FREE Individual Map

Click this link to go influence your purpose, power and leadership. Doing this will provide a deeper understanding of AIC. It is a selection of colors and it is influenced by your subconscious anticipation of how people will react to you.
 
MY RESULTS of MY AIC MAP
 
My first preference is the appreciative power 42%
Second preference is control 36%
Third is Influence 22%
 
The idea of this is you want to have an equal amount of all of them.The purpose part on page 4, I was shocked to find out that my purpose and how I mediate everything together is through spirituality. I would have never thought that, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense.  I highly suggest you try the introductory map, because it's FREE, and you LEARN a lot from it!

Tell me what you learned about yourself from your AIC introductory map?


Smith, W. (2009). The meaning of the three circles. Retrieved from WWW.oodi.com


 

*SiX SiGmA*


Six Sigma is a strategy developed by Motorola & implemented by General Electric (GE).
It is an approach for problem solving to help reduce variation and error rates.

This provides organizations with a tool to improve the capability of their business processes. Many healthcare institutions are using Six Sigma as a way to effectively improve their services in order to provide better healthcare to the general public. To achieve Six Sigma, a process must not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities


The steps of Six Sigma include:
  1. Define (opportunity)
  2. Measure (performance)
  3. Analyze (opportunity
  4. Improve (Performance)
  5. Control (performance)

First, Six Sigma asks that the ‘customer’ be prioritized as the first step to successfully repairing an issue. Usually, within the healthcare industry, the ‘customer’ could oftentimes be the patient, the nursing staff, the doctors, the stakeholder, the administrative staff, or the department manager. It all depends on the quality issue at hand and who will directly benefit from the changes that will be made. 


 


I think six sigma is really interesting. I know that when the hospital I work for fills out ICares or when they have any kind of errors, it is important to get to the bottom of what may have cause the errors. Managment teams need to come together and they can use this Six Sigma model to help decrease medication errors, staff errors, and improve quality of care. This model can really help change for the better.


Huber, D. H. (2009). Leadership and nursing care management. 4th edition. Saunders, Elsevier Health Sciences. Maryland Heights, MO.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Time is $$Money$$



Budgeting is mainly focused on money as a strategic resource.  The amount of money that a unit has can significantly impact the amount and the type of supplies, equiptment, staff, and human resources that will be used to deliver safe and effective patient care.







Every nurse plays an integral role in budgeting process, but it seems it is not fully understood. Staff nurses involvment in this is needed to keep costs down.












Role of the nurse:
  • Evaluate equiptment for purchase and use
  • Manage and have access to patient care supplies (need to be "mindful on the decisions about supply and resource)
  • Have to make decisons on how to staff unit (charge nurse/nurse manager)
  • Make cost-effective decisions
  • Be effecient
  • Increase patient care while reducing cost
  • Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
  • Participate in education to increase knowledge
  • Remember time is $$money$$


Cost and quality are two continuous concepts that are major themes for nursing practice. Nursing managers are constantly trying to figure out the most effective way to do things, and what the unit can do differently to save all that they can.

In my observation at the U of M hospital we are constantly changing things around for it to be less costly. Every unit had to cut down on their supplies. In the last year the nursing managers and a few staff nurses met and had to go through their supplies lists and decide on some things to cut and no longer be stocked in their supplies room. This makes it a little confusing as a float pool nursing assistant because some of the things they cut are some of the basic things we use a lot. Something that I notice a lot and what seems like a waste is all of the admission papers we give every patient. It is a pretty good amount of paper, and I feel like I throw them all away after the patients leave and they are usually in a corner or in drawers and are not even looked at. After reading this unit, I will definitely be more mindful on what supplies I am using and to make better cost effective decisions.

Huber, D. H. (2009). Leadership and nursing care management. 4th edition. Saunders, Elsevier Health Sciences. Maryland Heights, MO.


What does your organization due to reduce costs... and  what do YOU do to reduce costs in your workplace?










Friday, February 1, 2013

Multidimensional Workforce

"For the first time, four generations of nurses are employed at once in the workforce" (Huber, 20, p. 713).
 







1. Veterans (traditionalists) "matures"
  • Born between 1920-1945 ages 61-85+
  • Consistent
  • Past oriented & history absorbed
  • Values dedication and hardwork













2. Baby Boomers
Born between 1943-1960 ages 42-60
Career driven
Want genorous pension plans
Optimistic
Stars of the show
Team oriented











3. Generation Xers


Born between 1960-1980 ages 26-41
Self-reliant
Need a work/life balance
Want salary increases to save for future educational needs of children
Value diversity










4. Nexters/ Generation Y ( Millenials)


Born between  1980-2000 ages 0-26
DIGITAL NATIVES
Value more paid time off, honesty, and integrity
Environmental activists
Savvy, Streetwise and sophisticated.














     
More generational characteristics:TABLE: Workplace Characteristics (If you cannot read this image e-mail maxon@fdu.edu to receive a print edition of FDU Magazine)
At work, generational differences can affect everything, including recruiting, building teams, dealing with change, motivating, managing, and maintaining and increasing productivity. Generational differences relate to how people communicate, might affect misunderstandings, high employee turnover, difficulty in attracting employees and gaining employee commitment. Each generation has distinct attitudes, behaviors, expectations, habits and motivational buttons. Learning how to communicate with the different generations can eliminate many major confrontations and misunderstandings in the workplace and the world of business.  As a leader/manager of a organization it is very important to understand these four generations to be able to manage them and keep them motivated.



I am currently in the "nexter"generation. I would say I am a digital native. I help a lot of people out with computer issues and I feel like everything I am doing is usually on my phone or computer. For my work and family life I really need to have a balance. Generational differences are so interesting to me. I see it all at my workplace now and also at my clinical. I think these four generations are helpful to have in the workforce because of all the experience and role modeling for the younger two generations. In my work experience I believe that managers keep the different generations motivated by letting people pick their shifts by a certain amount of years working there. They also give bonuses and give people raises.

Huber, D. H. (2009). Leadership and nursing care management. 4th edition. Saunders, Elsevier Health Sciences. Maryland Heights, MO.



Whats your generation, core values, and thinking process among the organization your working for?