With each day, I feel empowered, engaged, and energized about patient safety and quality improvement. I am reminded on why I chose nursing as a career and my desire to assist vulnerable populations and serve as a change agent in healthcare institutions.

I found the discussions involving the power of storytelling and cognitive interviewing especially interesting and thought provoking. In particular, I was struck by the story of the physician pulling out the central line and the complications that followed due to lack of protocol, training, and a general health system malfunction. I focused a lot of my reflective analysis day one on the sense of powerlessness and vulnerability patient and families can feel while navigating the healthcare system. However, an essential component that was highlighted today was how the healthcare system can isolate and set providers up for failure. Oftentimes, the culture in institutions does not allow for providers… Continue reading →

I was grateful to hear from the exceptional faculty members and fellow emerging leaders during this first day in Napa, California.

There were several themes mentioned throughout the day that resonated with me as a nurse in the PICU and family nurse practitioner student. The discussions today focused upon the isolation family members can feel while navigating the complex healthcare system. My question that I continue to reflect upon is, how can healthcare professionals (residents, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) begin to address this sense of isolation and inaccessibility between provider and patient? The answer will take a collaborative and focused effort to change culture, systems, and attitudes. Reflecting upon my own practice as a pediatric nurse and future family nurse practitioner, I believe a crucial first step is listening to the patient or patient’s family. Helen Haskell’s and Carole Hemmelgarn’s tragic stories remind all providers that one must never discount a… Continue reading →