Editorial DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
I Kathy A. Baker, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY NURSES AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AND THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY NURSES AND ASSOCIATES
always find myself a bit retrospective at the beginning of a new year. Looking back, I often consider the unexpected joys and blessings I experienced in the previous year as well as the “do-overs” and regrets, some of my own making and some just a part of life. Like that of most nurses, my life often is experienced as ticking off one event after another, putting out fire after fire, and attending meeting after meeting. All of these are part of the expectations for communicating, planning, processing, and innovating as a nurse. There is generally little time for reflection. But reflection is a vital part of life allowing for contemplation of what works and doesn’t work, what brings joy and what brings disappointment, and what propels us forward and what holds us back. In reflection, we often can answer questions such as “Does the ‘business’ of my life make a difference?” “Does what I do, think, and say really matter in the big scheme of life?” “Am I fulfilling my purpose?” A few weeks ago, a dear friend, colleague, and mentor of mine was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I spent much of the holiday grieving this news, thinking of how my friend and her loved ones were reacting to the diagnosis, feeling helpless as I could not change the disease process. I answered countless questions from colleagues about options for treatment, usual prognosis, and expectations about what the future probably holds. I was overwhelmed and heartbroken. This is not what I want for my friend (or myself). But as I grieved, I began to reflect and think about what I could do, how I could make a difference—whether it be providing knowledge as a gastroenterology nurse, walking alongside my friend as she makes difficult decisions, dropping off a home-cooked meal, or moving her vision forward at the university while she shifts her focus to coping with chronic disease. Whatever happens over this next year, I want to make a difference for my friend. It is easy to forget the value of making a difference as we live our “normal” lives. Our patients come and go. We follow “routine” plans of care. We provide “routine” patient education, assist with “routine” procedures, and facilitate a “routine” recovery. But for our patients and their loved ones, the experience is not “routine.” They are concerned about the procedure, the diagnosis, and the future. Will the procedure hurt? Will their life change drastically as a result of a confirmed diagnosis? Will they experience relief from pain and discomfort? We need to be cognizant that we can make a difference in the “routine” aspects of a normal workday. Empathy, understanding, patience, kindness, our care, and compassion can make a difference for patients who typically do not embrace the endoscopy suite as “routine.” My college at the university is undergoing a huge building expansion to accommodate the tremendous growth we have seen in nursing. As part of
DEDICATED TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PRACTICE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND ENDOSCOPY NURSING
The Editor declares no conflict of interest. DOI: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000027
VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 1 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
11
Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
GNJ-D-14-00003.indd 11
1/21/14 8:04 AM
Editorial the building design, we were asked to identify 10 words that describe nursing. The list has just been released and although not exactly 10 words (really 10 concepts), I think the difference nurses make is captured with the final list: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
advocacy, caring, compassion, innovation, integrity, leadership, prevention and health promotion, professionalism, safety, and science and scholarship.
Making a difference is why many of us chose nursing and healthcare. As you review the list, think back on 2013. Did you make a difference by displaying any (or all) of these nursing attributes? As you go about your “normal” routines, do you make a difference in the experiences of your patients and coworkers? Have you made a difference through your commitment to the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates at the regional and national levels? Have you published an article or presented at a professional meeting? Have you pursued a higher educational level or obtained certification? The start of a new year is the perfect time to deliberately plan to make a difference in 2014. What can you do? What are you willing to do? What do you want to do to make a difference?
12 Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
Gastroenterology Nursing Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
GNJ-D-14-00003.indd 12
1/21/14 8:04 AM
I Kathy A. Baker, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN
THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY NURSES AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AND THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY NURSES AND ASSOCIATES
always find myself a bit retrospective at the beginning of a new year. Looking back, I often consider the unexpected joys and blessings I experienced in the previous year as well as the “do-overs” and regrets, some of my own making and some just a part of life. Like that of most nurses, my life often is experienced as ticking off one event after another, putting out fire after fire, and attending meeting after meeting. All of these are part of the expectations for communicating, planning, processing, and innovating as a nurse. There is generally little time for reflection. But reflection is a vital part of life allowing for contemplation of what works and doesn’t work, what brings joy and what brings disappointment, and what propels us forward and what holds us back. In reflection, we often can answer questions such as “Does the ‘business’ of my life make a difference?” “Does what I do, think, and say really matter in the big scheme of life?” “Am I fulfilling my purpose?” A few weeks ago, a dear friend, colleague, and mentor of mine was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I spent much of the holiday grieving this news, thinking of how my friend and her loved ones were reacting to the diagnosis, feeling helpless as I could not change the disease process. I answered countless questions from colleagues about options for treatment, usual prognosis, and expectations about what the future probably holds. I was overwhelmed and heartbroken. This is not what I want for my friend (or myself). But as I grieved, I began to reflect and think about what I could do, how I could make a difference—whether it be providing knowledge as a gastroenterology nurse, walking alongside my friend as she makes difficult decisions, dropping off a home-cooked meal, or moving her vision forward at the university while she shifts her focus to coping with chronic disease. Whatever happens over this next year, I want to make a difference for my friend. It is easy to forget the value of making a difference as we live our “normal” lives. Our patients come and go. We follow “routine” plans of care. We provide “routine” patient education, assist with “routine” procedures, and facilitate a “routine” recovery. But for our patients and their loved ones, the experience is not “routine.” They are concerned about the procedure, the diagnosis, and the future. Will the procedure hurt? Will their life change drastically as a result of a confirmed diagnosis? Will they experience relief from pain and discomfort? We need to be cognizant that we can make a difference in the “routine” aspects of a normal workday. Empathy, understanding, patience, kindness, our care, and compassion can make a difference for patients who typically do not embrace the endoscopy suite as “routine.” My college at the university is undergoing a huge building expansion to accommodate the tremendous growth we have seen in nursing. As part of
DEDICATED TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PRACTICE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND ENDOSCOPY NURSING
The Editor declares no conflict of interest. DOI: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000027
VOLUME 37 | NUMBER 1 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
11
Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
GNJ-D-14-00003.indd 11
1/21/14 8:04 AM
Editorial the building design, we were asked to identify 10 words that describe nursing. The list has just been released and although not exactly 10 words (really 10 concepts), I think the difference nurses make is captured with the final list: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
advocacy, caring, compassion, innovation, integrity, leadership, prevention and health promotion, professionalism, safety, and science and scholarship.
Making a difference is why many of us chose nursing and healthcare. As you review the list, think back on 2013. Did you make a difference by displaying any (or all) of these nursing attributes? As you go about your “normal” routines, do you make a difference in the experiences of your patients and coworkers? Have you made a difference through your commitment to the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates at the regional and national levels? Have you published an article or presented at a professional meeting? Have you pursued a higher educational level or obtained certification? The start of a new year is the perfect time to deliberately plan to make a difference in 2014. What can you do? What are you willing to do? What do you want to do to make a difference?
12 Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates
Gastroenterology Nursing Copyright © 2014 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
GNJ-D-14-00003.indd 12
1/21/14 8:04 AM
