DOING WHAT’S RIGHT CAN FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, DO IT ANYWAYS: a pep talk to help you advocate for patients in the midst of challenges
“I will go up against anyone to protect my patient. If I feel that something is unsafe for the patient I am not participating in it. Period.” says Nurse Alice.
Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, it sometimes takes more work, you could ruffle a few feathers and could add time onto your shift. But, doing the right thing is always what’s best for your patients. We are here to do what’s in the best interest of the patient. Not what’s the most comfortable for us.
If medical errors were allowed to be a cause of death in our national registry – It would be the 3rd largest cause of death.
In this episode, Alice shares a personal story about an experience she recently had that was a “near miss” and could have been a medical error. Alice stood her ground and advocated for her patient. Even though the other nurses were visibly frustrated with her, Alice remained strong for her patient despite it all.
Talking about near misses is important and is not talked about enough. It’s time to reframe how we think about not just doing what’s easiest but what’s best for the patient. The key is working collaboratively on behalf of the patient’s best interest.
“Nurses, you should not feel bad for doing the right thing for your patient. We should not be afraid to communicate with providers. We should not be scared to ask for the things we know our patient needs. Never be afraid to express your patient’s concerns. Just because you have a concern doesn’t mean that your other team members are “bad.”
