Nurses Speak Your Mind: Change Is Possible

Recently, I have had so many issues with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the State Nursing Board that it got to the point where I could not sleep at night.  I decided it was up to me to go out and make change.

I really had no idea how to do it.  I am a great advocate one-on-one for my clients, but I have never had the experience of making change for the collective (outside of the hospital).

However, I used what I know about making change such as approaching things from a win-win: what’s in it for both sides.

I started with the end in mind envisioning what change I wanted to create and arrived at a solution in which everyone would be happy (or at least satisfied!).

If you want more staffing, approaching administration to say “we need more staff” is just not going to work.  You have to discuss with the facility the benefits they can receive such as improved patient satisfaction, decreased mistakes and medical malpractice as well as leading to better patient outcomes.  These are things that will motivate facilities to provide more staff.

You may also need to say what it is that you might be willing to do without so that the economic interests are weighed.  By saying “do without,” I don’t mean less money.  This is the price of a give-and-take in which all the stakeholders come to the table to come up with a solution.

What I realized in meeting with Representative Kirchhofer is that the legislature really does want to help.  They truly are the voice of the people.  If they are committed and in integrity, they will find a way to help.  I was pleasantly surprised.

There are 2 things that prevent us from getting our results.  The first is fear, never starting or saying anything in the first place or, 2, coming at the problem from a complaining position rather than a solution-based standpoint.

If you have your intention on what you want to happen and come at it from solutions, most likely you will succeed.

Here’s to you making the changes you want to see in health care and your positions.  I would love to hear your comments below.