I’m a Nurse, Solution Focused Life and Stress Management Coach and Entrepreneur.
Kathy Parlevliet, the Nurse who knows. Being aware of what our title as a nurse means. Usually, we just are a nurse. Not being aware of what the public may view. Our perspective is different than theirs. We are doing our job, and taking care of tasks to help our patients improve. Families view us as having too much fun, the machines making too much noise, endless phone ringing, the call lights ringing, everything is too loud. The noise factor makes it feel disrespectful to them. Having been on the family side of the patient recently, my awareness was raised.
Looking around on a normal day of work, there are definitely volumes issues. We start quiet and escalate as the number of hospital staff increases. Counting the number of nurses, doctors, technicians, and therapists, and housekeepers, can be a big count. Then add families and the patients and pretty soon the noise level is too high.
How can you help bring down the volume? What should we notice? When is the time to say something to your peers?
Start to notice the peak volume times of your department, listen as if you were the patient or family member. Can you hear individual conversations? Is the phone ringing too long? How do you communicate a message to each other from the phone? Close your eyes and imagine trying to rest through the noise. Sadly, it really is too loud.
A quiet time has been started at our facility. Between 2:00-4:00 pm the light is turned down and our quiet voices in place to allow for a rest period within all the departments. Somedays, it works better than others. But it is a start of our awareness. This can be a bridge to telling everyone that we need to work on this side of healing. Acknowledging that we can do better in this area. A person with a voice that carries, can try to whisper. Make an attempt to not call out for help, use other methods. Needing help is endless, in our department. So, we make a time plan to help each other. We ask, “Can you help me in 10 minutes?” The call bell will work too. And also, the individual department phones to communicate quickly about your patients’ care. Honestly, it is a definite weakness for our department. When I walk through other areas during this quiet time, I do notice the difference.
Take time to recognize what you personally can do. Talk about what you are trying to do to your department. Small steps toward success.
If you would like more support in this area. I am here. You can find me at theRNcoach.com
Let’s talk soon,
Kathy
© 2024 The Nurse Who Knows
