Human trafficking: You can make a difference
Thank you for running the extremely powerful story "Victims of Human Trafficking: Hiding in Plain Sight" (March 2017). Human trafficking has become such a concern in California that hospital EDs and urgent care centers are required to post information about the prevention and reporting of human trafficking per Senate Bill 1193.1
Notices concerning human trafficking must include the hotline number for victims to seek help and for reporting unlawful activity. Notices must be posted in a conspicuous place near the front entrance of the facility and in all languages commonly spoken in the area.
One simple way that nurses can advocate for these victims is by checking their ED or urgent care center lobbies to ensure these postings are present. If they aren't, ask your facility's leadership about posting similar information. Together we can make a difference.
-SAMUEL CROW, BSN, RN, PHN, HFEN
Red Bluff, Calif.
REFERENCE
1. State of California Department of Justice. SB1193 & Civil Code Section 52.6 - Posting of Public Notices Regarding Slavery and Human Trafficking. https://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/sb1193. [Context Link]
We are family
As a BSN student, I consider participating in clinical to be the gem of my week. I fall in love with being a nurse more and more each day. A large part of my passion for nursing has to do with the wonderful team I work with. My classmates and I still have much to learn in clinical, so supporting each other is key to getting through the day.
Although the nursing community is often described as a family, unfortunately I've also encountered a lot of incivility in this "family." Bullying and selfish behavior are the opposite of what nursing is about. If you can't show compassion, inclusivity, and kindness to your classmates or colleagues, how can you be expected to show patients the respect they deserve?
Patients can tell if you're being genuine. Having been a patient myself as well as working with some great nurses, I know from experience that the more patients believe you care about them, the more they feel comfortable opening up to you.
The nursing profession should be a place where all nurses truly work together. I'm going to continue to strive to be the best nurse I can be. I've overcome many obstacles to get here, and with the help of my nursing family, I'll continue to overcome many more.
-GALYA KOLODNER, BSN STUDENT
Philadelphia, Pa.