The art of caring
I was deeply touched by the article, "An introduction to the art of caring," in the August 2021 issue of Nursing2021, and felt connected with the author Emily Bartlett, a nurse tech and student nurse who related her experience caring for a COVID-19 patient with tracheostomy.
I've been retired over the past 7 years after working as an ICU nurse. Reading the article, I felt transported to the days when I cared for patients whose verbal communication was made impossible by endotracheal tubes.
Thank you for bringing me back to my days in nursing when the art of caring was paramount in our patient interactions while the science was still developing.
-JOSEFINA I. ALEJANDRO, DNP, RN, (RET)
GULFPORT, MISS.
Inclusion in nursing education
We need a more positive work environment in nursing education regardless of class format-in-person or online. As a nursing professor, I've been recently involved with our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, and would like to suggest these DEI meeting practices:
* Address colleagues by name.
* Follow a meeting agenda.
* Hold meetings and classes on time, and communicate changes.
* Define objectives and strive to meet the plan.
* Allow members to speak and share ideas in a professional manner.
* Be aware of the nonverbal reactions of members at a meeting.
* Refrain from bringing up past experiences with former employees as examples.
* Agree to listen and explore ideas and options.
* Stop collusion by redirecting an issue.
* Clearly articulate decisions after a vote.
* Be kind and celebrate success.
Let's try to have nursing lead the way to a more positive and healthy workplace!
-MARISUE RAYNO, EdD, RN
BEAVER MEADOWS, PA