I've written a guest post for the blog of Karen Ingalls, a writer and author who is a five year survivor of ovarian cancer. Her book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir, is an inspiring account of the challenge of living with such a diagnosis.
My post is the story of "Malcolm", a patient from early in my nursing career who taught me many lessons of living well in the face of the vicissitudes of life. I hope you enjoy Malcolm: Gratitude and Grace.
I thank Karen for the opportunity to share my story with her community of readers. If you'd like to hear Karen's recent interview on RNFM Radio, please click here.
Showing posts with label RN.FM Radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RN.FM Radio. Show all posts
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Friday, August 09, 2013
Book Review: "The Secret Rescue" by Cate Lineberry
"The Secret Rescue: An Untold Story of American Nurses and Medics Behind Nazi Lines", is a brilliant book outlining the harrowing tale of nurses and medics who, after crash-landing in Nazi-occupied Albania in 1943, survived an ordeal that tested the limits of their courage, determination and faith.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Nurse Bullying: We Shall Overcome
On May 20th, 2013 on RN.FM Radio, we discussed nurse to nurse bullying with Renee Thompson, a national expert on the subject. In the course of that discussion, we heard that bullying among nurses continues to be a problem nationwide--and most likely worldwide, as well. What will it take to turn the tide on what appears to be a widely acknowledged form of aberrant workplace behavior within the healthcare industry?
Monday, April 29, 2013
Book Review: Nursing 2013 Drug Handbook
I will begin this review with the disclosure that Publisher Wolters
Kluwer contacted me through a marketing agent and requested that I post a
review of their new Nursing 2013 Drug Handbook here on Digital Doorway.
I did not receive financial compensation of any kind for this review,
but did receive a free copy of the guide in order to facilitate the
review process. I previously reviewed the Nursing 2012 Drug Handbook, and you can find that very popular review here.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
RN.FM Radio Seeks Nurse Intern!
RN.FM Radio, our popular and ever-growing Internet radio station for nurses, is currently seeking a nurse intern who's willing to jump in and join our team!
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
RN.FM Radio Celebrates One Year!
In January of 2012, RN.FM Radio opened its virtual doors and began broadcasting as the newest radio voice in nursing. This month, we're celebrating our first birthday and looking back at a stellar first year while we look forward to an even more stellar second year!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Book Review: "Last Acts of Kindness"
Judith Redwing Keysarr is the Director
of Palliative and End of Life Care of Jewish Family and Children’s Services of
the San Fransisco Bay Area. Her book, “Last Acts of Kindness: Lessons for the
Living From the Bedsides of the Dying” was recognized as the American Journal
of Nursing Book of the Year in 2011. Ms. Keysarr will appear as our guest onRN.FM Radio on Monday, November 26th, 2012. (As
always, I received no compensation for this book review.)
Friday, August 31, 2012
RN.FM Radio Continues to Grow!
For those of you who have been following the evolution of RN.FM Radio--our Internet radio station focused on nursing, nurses and nurse entrepreneurs--we continue to grow and expand the scope of the show concurrent with our growth as hosts and producers.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
RN.FM Radio is Truly Unleashed!
For those of you who follow Digital Doorway regularly, you've no doubt heard about RN.FM Radio, the new internet radio station that was founded by yours truly and two dynamic nurse colleagues early in 2012. The official moniker of the station, "RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed", is an apt title as the show continues to draw high-quality guests and engender energetic and enlightening conversation.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Internet Radio for Nurses Takes Off!
Our newly birthed internet radio station for nurses---RN.FM Radio---is maturing into a reliable weekly source of inspiration, encouragement, interviews and nursing news that many nurses are flocking to every Monday evening at 9pm EST.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
NurseFriendly on RN.FM Radio!
Just a reminder that tomorrow, January 16th, 2012, Andrew Lopez of Nursefriendly.com will be our guest on RN.FM Radio. Andrew is the consummate connector and promoter of nurses, and we look forward to his appearance on RN.FM Radio! Tune in or listen to the archived show afterwards.
Also, please take a peek at our new RN.FM Radio website! It's growing by the day!
"See" you there!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Book Review: "Confident Voices" by Beth Boynton
A note to the reader: As always, I have received no remuneration for
posting this book review. As a point of disclosure, I did, however,
receive a free copy of the book from the author in order to facilitate
the review process.
"Confident Voices: The Nurse's Guide to Improving Communication and Creating Positive Workplaces", was published in 2009 by Beth Boynton, RN, MS and edited by Bonnie Kerrick, RN, BSN.
Summary
In Confident Voices, Boynton strives to give nurses the understanding and skills to navigate the workplace in a way that fosters improved communication, healthier workplaces and a more supportive and safe environment for them and their colleagues. Boynton achieves her goal, and delivers information that is useful, well-organized, easy to digest, and potentially possible to put into practice immediately.
The book walks the reader through three distinct sections covering various topics of interest to the nurse who wishes to work in an environment that supports positive relationships and respectful communication.
Part I addresses workplace dynamics, and identifies the characteristics of toxic workplaces, and delves into theories that explain human behavior, especially in the context of the workplace. Organizational culture is explained and dissected, and workplace violence---be it physical, verbal or emotional---is also addressed.
Part II is focused on "building assertiveness and respectful listening skills" and explores "strategies for creating organizational cultures where effective communication and respectful relationships can thrive".
Part III integrates the theories, insights and skills covered in Parts I and II in the context of nurses' experiences which were gleaned from interviews with nurses in the field. Common toxic behaviors are described and various revisions of the encounters in question are offered as examples of improved communication and healthier outcomes for all involved.
Discussion
Toxicity in the workplace is an important subject rarely given its due, and Boynton succeeds in communicating her mission clearly in this very useful book. We all know that the health care system is suffering from various forms of overload and dysfunction, and the result for nurses is that we often feel powerless in the face of old patriarchal systems of organization, entrenched methods of communication, and hierarchical relationships that apparently strip us of our power and leave us literally speechless in the face of workplace violence, bullying, top-down management, and organizational failure.
Boynton gives nurses concrete examples of common situations wherein nurses can practice their assertiveness and respectful communication skills. She also provides practical tools for nurses within a theoretical framework that takes into consideration the characteristics of toxic workplaces, the ways in which workplace violence impacts nurses, and how effective communication can cut through the static to a place of greater clarity, personal empowerment, and professional satisfaction.
In a future edition of "Confident Voices", I would like to see the author make use of a more diverse selection of real-life scenarios in order to address potential gender and power issues that her examples fail to take into consideration.
Suggestions
The nurse interviews used in the book to illustrate Boynton's thesis all feature female nurses who are interacting with male physicians in the hospital setting. While this gender dynamic may be common (and may be a deeply and culturally embedded knee-jerk reaction when we think of "nurse and doctor") there are now a plethora of female physicians working alongside male nurses, and male nurses working alongside male physicians.
Additionally, it would be interesting to explore workplace dynamics when we consider male and female nurses working together, as well as combinations of male nurses alongside male nurses, and female nurses collaborating with female doctors. It could also be enlightening to explore the dynamics of workplace violence, bullying and communication when considering comparisons between male and female supervisors and administrators, and the ways in which gender differences impact communication in health care. Several books have been written about the effects of feminism on the nursing profession, most notably "Daring to Care: American Nursing and Second-Wave Feminism" by Susan Gelfand Malka. Perhaps an exploration combining the effects of feminism on nursing and changes in communication would be an interesting follow up to "Confident Voices".
Within "Confident Voices", Boynton also does not address cultural, ethnic and racial differences in communication that could greatly impact nurses and those who work in health care institutions. Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics and other groups may have cultural practices and norms vis-a-vis communication that differ widely from white American culture. From eye contact to body language, communication in the workplace also needs to take these differences into consideration.
My Recommendation
Overall, I would highly recommend "Confident Voices" to any nurse who wishes to improve his or her own communication skills, share those skills with colleagues, and attempt to understand organizational culture with an eye towards creating positive workplaces for all concerned.
On the Radio
Beth Boynton will be appearing as a guest on RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed on March 12th, 2012 at 9pm EST. Please tune in and you will be able to call into the show and ask Beth questions about her work as a nurse, writer, and workplace communication expert.
--------------
"Confident Voices: The Nurse's Guide to Improving Communication and Creating Positive Workplaces", was published in 2009 by Beth Boynton, RN, MS and edited by Bonnie Kerrick, RN, BSN.
Summary
In Confident Voices, Boynton strives to give nurses the understanding and skills to navigate the workplace in a way that fosters improved communication, healthier workplaces and a more supportive and safe environment for them and their colleagues. Boynton achieves her goal, and delivers information that is useful, well-organized, easy to digest, and potentially possible to put into practice immediately.
The book walks the reader through three distinct sections covering various topics of interest to the nurse who wishes to work in an environment that supports positive relationships and respectful communication.
Part I addresses workplace dynamics, and identifies the characteristics of toxic workplaces, and delves into theories that explain human behavior, especially in the context of the workplace. Organizational culture is explained and dissected, and workplace violence---be it physical, verbal or emotional---is also addressed.
Part II is focused on "building assertiveness and respectful listening skills" and explores "strategies for creating organizational cultures where effective communication and respectful relationships can thrive".
Part III integrates the theories, insights and skills covered in Parts I and II in the context of nurses' experiences which were gleaned from interviews with nurses in the field. Common toxic behaviors are described and various revisions of the encounters in question are offered as examples of improved communication and healthier outcomes for all involved.
Discussion
Toxicity in the workplace is an important subject rarely given its due, and Boynton succeeds in communicating her mission clearly in this very useful book. We all know that the health care system is suffering from various forms of overload and dysfunction, and the result for nurses is that we often feel powerless in the face of old patriarchal systems of organization, entrenched methods of communication, and hierarchical relationships that apparently strip us of our power and leave us literally speechless in the face of workplace violence, bullying, top-down management, and organizational failure.
Boynton gives nurses concrete examples of common situations wherein nurses can practice their assertiveness and respectful communication skills. She also provides practical tools for nurses within a theoretical framework that takes into consideration the characteristics of toxic workplaces, the ways in which workplace violence impacts nurses, and how effective communication can cut through the static to a place of greater clarity, personal empowerment, and professional satisfaction.
In a future edition of "Confident Voices", I would like to see the author make use of a more diverse selection of real-life scenarios in order to address potential gender and power issues that her examples fail to take into consideration.
Suggestions
The nurse interviews used in the book to illustrate Boynton's thesis all feature female nurses who are interacting with male physicians in the hospital setting. While this gender dynamic may be common (and may be a deeply and culturally embedded knee-jerk reaction when we think of "nurse and doctor") there are now a plethora of female physicians working alongside male nurses, and male nurses working alongside male physicians.
Additionally, it would be interesting to explore workplace dynamics when we consider male and female nurses working together, as well as combinations of male nurses alongside male nurses, and female nurses collaborating with female doctors. It could also be enlightening to explore the dynamics of workplace violence, bullying and communication when considering comparisons between male and female supervisors and administrators, and the ways in which gender differences impact communication in health care. Several books have been written about the effects of feminism on the nursing profession, most notably "Daring to Care: American Nursing and Second-Wave Feminism" by Susan Gelfand Malka. Perhaps an exploration combining the effects of feminism on nursing and changes in communication would be an interesting follow up to "Confident Voices".
Within "Confident Voices", Boynton also does not address cultural, ethnic and racial differences in communication that could greatly impact nurses and those who work in health care institutions. Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics and other groups may have cultural practices and norms vis-a-vis communication that differ widely from white American culture. From eye contact to body language, communication in the workplace also needs to take these differences into consideration.
My Recommendation
Overall, I would highly recommend "Confident Voices" to any nurse who wishes to improve his or her own communication skills, share those skills with colleagues, and attempt to understand organizational culture with an eye towards creating positive workplaces for all concerned.
On the Radio
Beth Boynton will be appearing as a guest on RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed on March 12th, 2012 at 9pm EST. Please tune in and you will be able to call into the show and ask Beth questions about her work as a nurse, writer, and workplace communication expert.
Monday, January 09, 2012
RN.FM Radio Launches Today!
Today, on Monday the 9th of January, 2012 at 9pm EST, RN.FM Radio will launch its inaugural broadcast on Blog Talk Radio. RN.FM Radio is the newest voice to emerge vis-a-vis the cutting edge of the nursing profession, and RN.FM Radio will bring to the airwaves the most diverse mix of entrepreneurs, bloggers, coaches, writers and thought leaders within the nursing community.
The show will be hosted by myself, as well as Anna Morrison of I Coach Nurses, and Kevin Ross of Innovative Nurse. As nurse entrepreneurs, our mission is to forge a new vision of nursing and what it means to be a nurse in the 21st century.
Upcoming guests will include:
*Andrew Lopez of NurseFriendly.com on January 16th
*Laurel Lewis, Hospice Nurse and host of Death and Dying Dinner Parties in the Los Angeles area on January 23rd
*Annette Tersigni, The Yoga Nurse on January 30th
........and many more thought-provoking and inspiring nurses!
Please tune in tonight, January 9th at 9pm EST on Blog Talk Radio, or listen to the archived shows afterwards. All shows will include the opportunity for listeners to call in and offer questions or comments, or participate in live chats with other listeners.
Please watch for the launch of our website, RNFMRadio.com, and you can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!
RN.FM Radio is the new voice of nursing. Join us as we forge a new vision of nursing in the 21st century!
The show will be hosted by myself, as well as Anna Morrison of I Coach Nurses, and Kevin Ross of Innovative Nurse. As nurse entrepreneurs, our mission is to forge a new vision of nursing and what it means to be a nurse in the 21st century.
Upcoming guests will include:
*Andrew Lopez of NurseFriendly.com on January 16th
*Laurel Lewis, Hospice Nurse and host of Death and Dying Dinner Parties in the Los Angeles area on January 23rd
*Annette Tersigni, The Yoga Nurse on January 30th
........and many more thought-provoking and inspiring nurses!
Please tune in tonight, January 9th at 9pm EST on Blog Talk Radio, or listen to the archived shows afterwards. All shows will include the opportunity for listeners to call in and offer questions or comments, or participate in live chats with other listeners.
Please watch for the launch of our website, RNFMRadio.com, and you can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!
RN.FM Radio is the new voice of nursing. Join us as we forge a new vision of nursing in the 21st century!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
RN.FM Radio is Coming!
On January 9th, 2012, several esteemed nurse entrepreneurs and I will officially launch RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed, a new internet radio station on Blog Talk Radio!
Our
mission is to shake up the nursing profession and blow the roof
off of the idea of a nurse as just a humble bedside servant. We're here
to prove that you can be a nurse, be ultra-savvy and innovative, make a
huge difference in patients' and other healthcare providers' lives, and
improve your own life and experience of the profession of nursing, all
at the same time.
We want to support bedside nurses in
re-engaging their creativity and innovation to generate solutions to
today's complex healthcare challenges, thereby improving patient and
healthcare provider experience, while also elevating their own status,
well-being and income as business owners and entrepreneurs.
RN.FM Radio will be hosted by Kevin Ross of Innovative Nurse, Anna Morrison of I Coach Nurses, and yours truly. I am so lucky to be collaborating with these two nurse entrepreneur and blogger powerhouses!
Our inaugural broadcast will air at 9pm EST on Monday, January 12th, 2012 and every Monday thereafter. We plan to feature engaging and lively interviews with prominent nurse entrepreneurs, bloggers, writers, researchers, activists and thought leaders from the nursing world.
You can find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Monday evenings (or listen to our podcasts and archived shows) beginning January 9th as we forge a new vision of the future of nursing! See you there!
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