Keep knowing and keep growing.

San Francisco Bay Bridge is a familiar landmark where ever you may live in the world.  Let this iconic bridge represent your crossing from one profession into another.  There may be fog as the picture shows, but you will see your way through to the other side.

Two organizations that have arisen out of the disturbing climate in the NHS http://www.patientsfirst.org.uk/ and  http://dignifiedrevolution.org.uk/ because they want to support families and to also address issues that face staff working in the health care arena in a time when budgets are cut and clinicians put at risk. Trusts such as Morcombe bay and Mid Staffordshire have eroded public confidence.  Articles have been published about those involved ...'Nurses hauled....'  It seems quite demeaning for those who were caught up in a system that created loose-loose situations.  In the Mid Staffordshire case Dr. Hugo Mascie-Taylor, lead investigator said the facilities were 'simply too small to provide the adequate level of clinical care to patients.'  1200 patients died.  While nurses on the front line were 'hauled' before disciplinary boards the Chief Nursing Officer, Janice Harry retired and has had zero charges filed against her.  She said 'I'm not to blame.'  I don't think it's individuals either but a system that is broken.
I read a blog by the previous Nurse Executive at Morcombe bay which I will paste:
(This was taken from the Morcombe Bay Website under the blog tab.)

I’ve spoken and written before about the ‘leadership tree’, that leadership comes from all different parts of an organisation and that we all have a role to play.  Recently, initial plans were announced for staff within the department of health to spend time on ‘work placements’ on the front line, up to 20 days a year.  I am sure there will be much debate around this, but it did start me thinking if this would be a good system to introduce across our hospitals for all non-patient facing staff?  20 days is a lot, but it is less than 2 days a month dedicated to learning what goes on and understanding the issues staff face on a daily basis.  I can think of several challenges around this, but not sure the challenges would outweigh the benefits? I would be very interested in your thoughts on this.

I agree that nurse leaders should be required to have hands on experience on an ongoing basis and receive feedback and be evaluated by their peers.  Just as a Nursing Professor is required to have practical clinical experience on an ongoing basis I think the same thing applies to administration.  The focus should be taken off research and presentations which can fluff up a resume and of course build professional competence, but patients must come first.  It's an easy days work to sit in an office and give assignments to nurses but never to experience what it is like to work under those conditions.

I really would like to say to nurses to get a gut and speak up.  Join Patients First and let them know what is not working where you are employed.  Don't be afraid of calling doctors.  Any consultant who is earning 150k a year should be woken up if that's part of their pay.  'A consultant obstetrician had warned hospital management about poor care at the maternity unit leading to deaths of babies.'  Sunday Times, 15.09.13.

I follow Mark Levin and like his thinking.  For those outside the US, he's a radio host, author and former staff member for The US Attorney General.  He believes in limited government which is in alignment with the US Constitution which was designed to protect our liberties.  In an article written in  www.spectator.org/archives/ Mark Levin quotes Alexis de Tocqueville (1859) 'America could be at risk of being consumed by a system that ...covers the surface of a society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd.  The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom formed by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting.  Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.'

'Trapped in mediocrity' is the summation of care provided by 14 hospitals with the highest mortality rates in the UK per Sir Bruce Keogh, where they have a culture that ignores the concerns raised by patients and staff.  Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary blamed Andy Burnham, Shadow Secretary for 'ignoring warnings of poor standards of care and muzzling regulators when he was in office.

Nurses need to start earning money

There are on-line courses offered by universities for free https://www.futurelearn.com/ from e-learning markets such as Stanford, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  

Sisters are doing it for themselves and calling themselves 'Mumpreneurs.'  Check out http://www.startupbritain.co/ to see how to set your business up and jump on the band wagon!

This is a time in your life to focus on your faith and personal and spiritual development. 

I recommend www.unity.org to access resources and articles to support you and strengthen you.  They have excellent writers and spiritual leaders who can help you learn.  They also have a prayer line 24/7 and you can send prayer request on line.

For those of the Jewish faith there is www.tweetyourprayers.com where prayers are written and left at the Western Wall known as The Kotel in Jerusalem.

I have recently become acquainted with Dr. Susan Shumsky who offers books, resources and radio shows on Saturdays at www.divinerevelation.org

My very best wishes are with you as you overcome your inner fears and obstacles.  It is a time of growth and transcendence.  

Please feel free to contact me at lawrencerita511@gmail.com

Rita