We're in the process of implementing Relationship-Based Care (RBC) in our organization. RBC is about improving every relationship within an organization, which results in improved safety, quality, and patient and staff satisfaction. RBC focuses on three basic relationships: your relationship with your patients and their families, your relationship with yourself, and your relationship with colleagues. It's a culture that supports caring and healing, putting the patient and the family at the center of all that we do. There are six dimensions of RBC: leadership, teamwork, professional nursing, outcomes, resources, and care delivery.
Seems simple right? But somewhere along the way many of us missed the opportunities to develop deep committed relationships and started to focus on surface compliance for all the tasks that need to get done in a shift. In fact, we're often consumed by the overwhelming number of tasks and are really challenged to be intentionally present for our patients and each other. To me, the relationships with our patients and colleagues are the easy relationships to build and remain committed. The real challenge is the relationship with self. In many ways, this is the most important relationship but the very last one that many of us think about. Just look at what happens in your own home. When you're "good," everyone is good. But when you're "not good," things tend to fall apart and everyone else in the family struggles.
I've come to the sad realization that my relationship with myself leaves a whole lot to be desired. I've also come to realize that if I could just figure out how to think about myself more, I would ultimately have a better relationship with others. The first time I realized this was when I was developing a plan to roll out RBC. I actually cancelled three vacation days to work on the plan. It hit me that I couldn't teach this if I couldn't live it. I confided my struggles in a trusted colleague who listened intently and simply said, "Sister, you need to take time to Stop, Breath, and Be." I took that to heart and I am trying hard. I needed someone to sit me down and tell me that it really is ok to take care of myself.
I wanted to share this same message with all of you. It's ok for each of you to take care of yourselves. If you do, you will be better able to take care of others. I want to encourage all of you to take time to, "Stop, Breath, and Be," especially during your workday. A perfect time to do this is before each medication pass. Another great time is before you walk into the room of a challenging patient. Most important, at the end of the workday, take time to do something that you enjoy-go to the gym, read a book, eat something delicious. Whatever it is, make sure that it's just for you.
Until the next time, be healthy, be happy, and take care of yourselves!
AnneMarie Palatnik, MSN, APN, ACNS-BC