One of the most discussed advances in medical technology today is the mobile revolution, which has opened the doors for patients to use special apps and services to message their doctor electronically. It seems like patients everywhere are thrilled to have the opportunity to text, email, and IM their doctors over HIPPA-compliant communication services.
It’s always been tough to contact doctors, and now it’s easier than ever. Yet, where do nurses fit into this picture? Doctors now have the ability to speak ad infinitum to their post-surgery patients, consultations, and lifelong patients, but what about nurses?
Here’s my prediction: in 5 years, nurses will be the MVPs of the digital health era.
Here’s how:
Some mobile devices and apps track personal health goals and achievements, which can definitely help patients achieve health goals on a basic level. It’s great to carry a pedometer to meet a goal of walking a mile a day, or even invest in a Fitbit and track sleep and exercise patterns. Services like HealthMonth and Lift also provide motivating forces for people who are looking to be healthier.
As fancy and as high-tech as these health platforms are, nothing in the coming 50 years will ever replace the care and education of a nurse, aka, a real-live health professional. We’ve already seen that online health encyclopedia sites like WebMD can be both good and bad: some patients use the web to understand symptoms, yet the onslaught of information causes some patients to mis-diagnose themselves.
Sadly, the health industry has learned over and over that the web alone can’t help patients, it can only provide information.
One of the biggest problems in healthcare which can’t be solved by pedometers or apps: patient non-adherence. A nurse or doctor might prescribe bedrest, but the patient could ignore/forget this advice and go running a 5k despite doctor’s orders. A patient with an infection may receive a round of antibiotics, and then only take the first dose. Two weeks later, the patient is back at the office, worse than before.
Maybe simplicity is the best place for mobile health apps to begin work with nurses and patients. Instead of full-fledged care and diagnoses, nurses could offer patients gentle reminders over secure text and email.
A study in 2012 found that Online Patient Nurse Communication filled gaps in treatment for cancer patients, and it even streamlined communication. Rather than creating confusion, the online communication made patients feel better.
So, what do we do with all of this new research and technology? It may be best to just start thinking about how technology can improve the lives of our patients, and how communicating via a computer or tablet might work into a daily shift. As always, balance will be the key to success.
The move toward functional mobile health communications at all hospitals and facilities may take years, or it may happen all at once. Software built specificly to message patients seems to come out every day, such as this one. Nurses will continue to care, and they will be more enabled with technology that gives them a voice.
Every now and again, I find myself thinking about the next routine or task seemingly without any recognition of the present moment. I’m at first a little shocked, then pleased, that all the education and training has paid off–doing that right thing at just the right time without any unnecessary surprises. Done. On to the next item while still thinking a few steps ahead. We get used to the mechanics of our work and it becomes easier to deal with challenging situations (or, at least the daily responsibilities). Sometimes we’re just in the flow, and that gets us through the shift. I think we’ve all had moments like these, only stopping to ask how‘d we do that? after the fact.
There we are, piecing together the details of a shift that pushed us to the limit and questioning how we managed to pull through without so much as a second thought to our actions. What if we could slow down time to reveal something valuable about ourselves when it mattered the most? The next time you’re confronted with a challenge, try some of the following tips on mindfulness to get the most out each moment. Each of these simple tricks and tips are aimed at helping remind us to focus, recompose, and grow in order to always be on the path to becoming better nurses, individuals, and contributors to the communities that matter to us.
Learning to Recognize the Wandering Mind “Treat every moment as your last. It is not preparation for something else.” – Shunryu Suzuki You know that autopilot mode I was referring to? It’s pretty cool, right? Definitely. There’s a risk, however. All the learning and hard work we’ve put into our jobs affords us the ability to rely on rote memorization or practice, but be careful not to let the moment slip by without taking something valuable from the present. The great difficulty is that our work, like other daily tasks (i.e., dishes, driving, laundry, taking the dogs out, etc.), risks becoming stagnant. When we begin to notice that time is rushing by and we’re oblivious to it, take a deep breath and find your center. Doing this helps keep us on track to find beauty and opportunity in even the most mundane task because we’re being vigilant with our awareness.
Helpful Bonus Tip: As simple as it might seem, one of the best ways to create an understanding of our own psychology and mindfulness is to make it a habit of writing down a short reflection of the day before going to bed. Plan on keeping the task incredibly straight-forward, just writing the essentials and noting any significant moments wherein you had noticed your mind wandering and how you reigned it back again. At the end of a few weeks, find a time to read over your writing to see patterns emerge that can help us identity how to maintain mindful awareness in similar situations or in the midst of familiar difficulties.
Mindfulness Takes Repetition Think about your day, in detail. What did you do? What was said or overheard? What happened around you? Chances are, you’re probably missing a huge amount of detail because of the natural limitations of the brain. We like to imagine that we are astute and paying attention, even that these characteristics make us the nurses we are on the job. In reality, the brain is only capable of so much before it fills in the gaps of our awareness with mental static–bits of imagery or words or base emotional recognition that fill in the spaces around our significant memories. The trick to harnessing the power of mindfulness is to realize the limitation of the brain and work to circumvent them:
1) Start making more significant memories by working with intent, communicating with presence, and practicing with meaning. 2) Try this for the next week, each time you step through a doorway, pause and acknowledge your gratitude for someone or something precious in your life.
3) Approach a familiar task with renewed awareness by slowing down and finding pleasure in the individual parts of an experience, as well as the whole.
4) Reach out for a mindfulness buddy who can help you enjoy and commit to mindfulness as a way of life–enjoying more of our life, loves, and work.
One of the astonishing realities of nursing is the inherent exposure to human vulnerability at its extremes. Whether bearing witness to candid joy or profound loss, the role of the nurse as a champion for compassion is essential to the profession’s social benefit. How we interact with patients in these intimate moments is an opportunity to examine our own capacity as caregivers. Developing an awareness of our compassion helps us make a real difference in the lives of others and reinforces our value within the workplace.
Not unlike patience, humility, or diligence, compassion is practiced and refined over time. We can create great change with small but meaningful acts of kindness and understanding. The key is to recognize within ourselves the power of empathic responses. Salus aegroti suprema lex esto–the well-being of the patient shall be the most important law. As we incorporate compassion into our daily tasks, we create an abundant environment for calm and assurance.
How does one remain compassionate despite the stresses and challenges of nursing?
We can start by addressing these fundamental concerns:
1) Who in my life has demonstrated compassion when I needed it? 2) When have I felt it difficult to express compassion? 3) Where do I see compassion fitting in with my current skillset? 4) How have I shown compassion to myself and others? 5) Why is compassion important to me?
Once you have answered these questions, consider the following as a model for understanding compassion:
Exercising compassion is primarily an ability to differentiate between two core ideas–story and character. The “story” refers to the narrative we each create about ourselves separate from the truth of our lives. Assumptions, fear, worry, doubt. These are a few of the associated risks with self-fiction. We aren’t always right and we may not know the full extent of the facts, but that doesn’t stop the mind from creating a false sense of our reality. Compassion arises from understanding this psychological tendency in ourselves and others while being able to respond to it appropriately to reduce unnecessary suffering.
Identifying the narratives our patients have created for themselves can help us better offer our support, but taking the next step in cultivating compassion is all about the character behind the story. After all, recognizing the humanity in another brings us closer to understanding our own lives. The patients we serve can teach us a great deal about compassion by being the mirror that reflects the results of our work and values.
Once we start to perceive the individual as the foundation instead of their story, we can more easily connect with others in a compassionate way because we have taken away the barriers that prevent us from seeing the common bonds we share.
Putting aside all of the glittering lights and decorative storefront window displays, there’s something in the winter air that we don’t often talk about. For some, this time of year is a challenging one with a tricky combination of diminishing available light and plentiful stress triggers. Too frequently dismissed or marginalized, seasonal depression is very much a real concern.
The causes of seasonal depression vary, but thankfully so do the options for coping successfully. Prioritizing some of the following tips could make the difference between making the best of the day and letting it get the best of you. By adopting a three-part approach, we can address coping methods for depression in terms of physical, emotional, and mental wellness.
Get moving and get out into the world.
When we talk about seasonal depression, part of that conversation includes a discussion about the physical toll it can take. With the addition of lethargy, irritability, and anxiety, depression can make it difficult to stay motivated or find the strength to set daily goals (exercise, self-care, etc.). Getting the body in motion can help relax the mind while simultaneously encouraging biochemical stability, conscious awareness of yourself and others, and creating opportunity to interact or contribute to the world positively.
Adjust your schedule around the light.
Taking a look at the role of light in seasonal depression, science informs us that our bodies and minds are profoundly affected by light. When the light changes drastically (winter/summer), the body needs time to adjust. There are numerous options, both paid and free, that can help. In recent years, light therapy via electronic devices has proven to be a popular route for some. For others, it may be a matter of scheduling your everyday activities around a new time slot that provides ample ambient light. However you go about it, nothing quite compares to the mood boost we can get by working harmoniously with our own biological needs and rhythms.
Don’t isolate, share your experience with your trusted network.
Depression can affect us all to varying degrees, but that doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to communicate to others. It can be a tempting solution to bottle the stresses of seasonal depression and isolate. The downside to this coping method is that it can further compound existing symptoms. As you feel able and are comfortable doing, trust in your network of mentors, friends, family, or colleagues. They may also be feeling similarly or know someone else who has gone through likewise trying times. Knowing that you are not alone may not be all the comfort you want, but it could be the push you need.
It should be noted that none of these suggestions are definitive solutions to a complex issue, and do not replace the advice of a mental health professional. If you, or anyone you know, is suffering, please reach out for help–no one is ever truly alone, the darkness will always be always be broken by the dawn.
Let’s be honest, it can be hard to get a handle on the latest and greatest strategies for job market success. The economy’s changes have demanded both job seekers and current working professionals to truly exercise more flexibility and diversity than ever before. It’s as tough a market as any out there, and there’s no better time to invest in you.
Here, I mean to suggest that our personal return on investment (ROI) is substantial–provided we approach the task with sensibility, creativity, and a whole lot of perseverance when the going gets tough. No matter the capacity in which we serve (from the trauma ward nursing to non-profit volunteering), nursing is a field that has a wealth of viable options when it comes to how we brand ourselves and our services. Let’s utilize the diversity within our field to expand our professional impact and earning potential. What we offer is more than just a foundation, we’re at the forefront of health care innovation.
Take a moment to write down an overview of your personal and professional skill sets. What do you see? What’s the narrative that emerges from that list? Try to translate the story behind all of your education, training, and experience into a short, captivating statement of professional purpose. Remember that with improved precision in telling our story we can better position ourselves within the market by targeting our brand to the right audience.
What is your specialty? How do you revolutionize and advocate for your profession? What really motivates you to continue when everyone else can’t find the courage to go on?
Highlight your proficiency in the fundamentals, but also be sure to break the mold by showcasing the benefits you can offer your current team or prospective team by emphasizing why you can fulfill the requirements of modern nursing with individuality, competency, and compassion.
When the market doesn’t provide all the answers, how do you make the most of your abilities? Have you done all you can do to present yourself consistently through traditional and new media? Are you making you and your brand accessible to the growing global health market?
Just as we routinely solve complex problems by addressing their separate components, so too can we look at a thriving career as the sum of the parts rather than the whole. Think about your brand as one that goes beyond a single emphasis and encourages your network to view you as an expressive health care provider. Forget the term generalist, we’re in the age of the interdisciplinary specialist. Market yourself in advance of the next big industry shift and you’ve positioned yourself for long-term mobility.
There’s such a great deal of fantastic information and resources available that can help you craft a meaningful career, and for good reason. It’s easy to limit our scope of vision, though. How many times do we find ourselves too narrowly focused on our immediate branding in order to just get that next raise, promotion, or position? Let’s change the short-term mentality and empower sustainable, self-motivated career decisions. For all of the so-called life-changing techniques we can employ in this refinement of our professional development, let me suggest that there’s an incredibly powerful tool at your very disposal right now that can create change in your future.
To get started, get clear about your personal brand identity through the gathering of images, words, and physical objects that capture the essence of your professional vision. Create a space at home where you can display these motivating elements in a way that inspires you to begin thinking critically about your brand. This process should ideally enable you to perform three essential functions:
1. Develop one-year, three-year, and five-year professional growth goals.
2. Account for your own diversity and interests, personally and professionally.
3. Capitalize on understanding the new-market needs of changing health care economies that matter to you and future generations.
As you begin to take charge of the maintenance and evolution of your personal brand, the rewards will start to multiply. Redefining YOU makes a world of difference to us all. By promoting the importance of confident, capable and independent nurses able to navigate the demands of health care today, we do our part in establishing the trends that will shape tomorrow’s industry standards.
