“hold a high degree of masculinity.” Kenny Thompson, L. Lee Glenn, and Daren Vertein, “Comparison of Masculine and Feminine Traits in a National Sample of Male and Female Nursing Students,” American Journal of Men’s Health (May 2011).
gay, feminine or “not man enough” Interview.
stereotypes don’t bother them Interviews.
“I realized after seeing” Interview.
“It insults my profession . . . proud to be a nurse.” Interview.
disproportionately assigned Interviews.
“glass escalator” . . . across other fields. “Men in Nursing Occupations.”
“Yes, I’m in a job . . . end of the day.” Interview.
“It is incredibly fulfilling.” Interview.
Chapter 10
“Nurses can work individually . . .” American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics For Nurses.
“Our clinical skills are essential . . .” Interview.
“Hospital finance people . . . expected to retire.” Interview with Peter McMenamin. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 555,000 RNs and APRNs will retire over the next several years, but the occupational projections do not specify how many of those nurses are working specifically at hospitals.
“A hospital that now . . . sound long-term strategy.” Ibid.
patient-to-nurse ratios . . . and patient satisfaction. See, for example, “Workplace Violence: Assessing Occupational Hazards . . .”; Lois Berry and Paul Curry. For length of stay, infections, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, pneumonia, and failure to rescue rates, see also Jack Needleman et al.,“Nurse-Staffing Levels and the Quality of Care in Hospitals,” New England Journal of Medicine 346, no. 22, May 30, 2002.
Most trusted profession. http://www.gallup.com/poll/1654/honesty-ethics-professions.aspx
Directly involving nurses . . . these strategic meetings. See, for example, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Nurses Are Key to Improving Safety,” April 28, 2011.
One strategy to curb bullying . . . C. Rocker, “Addressing Nurse-to-Nurse Bullying to Promote Nurse Retention,” Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, August 29, 2008. Steering committee: see, for example, ISMP Medication Safety Alert, March 25, 2004.
“no retribution” policy See, for example, ISMP Medication Safety Alert, April 24, 2014.
Some hospitals have trained Interviews.
a quiet room . . . B. Lombardo and C. Eyre.
soothingly colored walls . . . Ibid.
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital . . . “Three-Tiered Emotional Support System Generates Positive Feedback From Providers Who Become ‘Second Victims’ of an Unanticipated Clinical Event,” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (March 2009).
“Using a colleague’s first name . . .” See ISMP Medication Safety Alert, March 25, 2004.
Hospitals have had success See, for example, Emergency Department Management, “Take Steps to Curb Violence, Improve Safety for ED Personnel,” October 1, 2011.
. . . or conducting bag checks. “Preventing Violence in the Healthcare Setting,” Sentinel Event Alert, The Joint Commission 45, June 3, 2010.
consider installing metal detectors. See, for example, “OSHA Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Workers,” 2004.
Within six months after . . . “Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings,” Center for Personal Protection and Safety, August 2011.
By requiring staff to report See, for example, Jessica Gacki-Smith et al., “Violence Against Nurses Working in U.S. Emergency Departments,” Journal of Nursing Administration (July–August 2009).
“The program helped reduce . . .” “Occupational Hazards in Hospitals,” CDC Workplace Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, April 2002.
“at a minimum, workplaces should” OSHA Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Workers (2004).
The most important step . . . getting harmed.” Interview with Douglas McLellan by Eaves.
illness, not willful misconduct See, for example, Debra Dunn and T. Monroe.
nurses with chemical dependency issues Some helpful links can be found at http://www.peerassistance.com/links.htm. For resources searchable by state, visit http://webapps.aana.com/Peer/directory.asp. (While the AANA’s directory is intended for nurse anesthetists, many of the resources and state assistance programs are for all nurses. Peer advisors volunteer only for CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists.) The ANA’s Impaired Nurse Resource Center also includes some links to organizations specializing in addiction: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/WorkplaceSafety/Healthy-Work-Environment/Work-Environment/ImpairedNurse/Impaired-Nurse-Resources.html.
administrators could tap them . . . See, for example, Kevin Pho, “Should Nurses Be Fired for Fatal Medication Errors?” KevinMD.com, May 2, 2011.
“A mistake does not mean . . .” David Maxfield et al., “The Silent Treatment: Why Safety Tools and Checklists Aren’t Enough to Save Lives.”
Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital . . . See, for example, Aaron Derfel, “Jewish General Dramatically Cuts Bed-Sore Cases,” Gazette (Montreal), July 20, 2012.
Designate one family member . . . Interviews. See also “Total Disregard for Visiting Hours,” allnurses.com, comment, September 19, 2012.
“Even if you’re worried about annoying . . .” Interview.
maintain a written medical history . . . pain or complaint. Interviews.
Your hospital is not as clean . . . Interviews.
“It is really important . . .” Interview.
at least sixteen hours per day. Interview.
Not all doctors and nurses remember . . . Interviews.
Bring or find your own . . . love them most? Interviews.
Even if your hospital medications . . . “abused by a drunk,” Interviews.
“Most nurses bust their ass . . . deal with them.” Interview.
fastest-growing occupation Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections 2012–2022, released in December 2013. See also Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupations Projected to Add Most New Jobs, 2012 to 2022 (January 27, 2014).
“The profession is exciting . . .” Interview, Terri Weaver.
“Campaign for Nursing’s Future.” Interview with spokesman; see also www.discovernursing.com.
“Choosing nursing as a profession . . .” Author correspondence with Joan Shaver.
scientists, engineers . . . Interviews with several deans of nursing schools.
“gives you a chance . . .” Interview.
“consider no less . . .” Kathleen Potempa.
“They have the same . . .” Interview, Bobbie Berkowitz.
lifelong goal. Interview, Mary Kerr.
“Be avid readers . . .” Interview, Linda Norman.
“We’ve got to get away . . .” Ibid.
“Never give advice . . .” Interview, Judith Karshmer.
“The best coping resource . . .” Interview.
“It’s a platform for nurses . . .” Interview, Brian Short.
“The point of the profession is to provide patient care . . .” Interview, Terri Weaver.
“To be a good nurse . . .” Interview.
“Many times patients wanted . . .” Interview.
Nurses nationwide told me . . . “identify the possible options.” Interviews.
“After a bad day . . .” Interview.
“I am not asking you to confirm . . .” Impaired Practice in Nursing: A Guidebook for Interventions and Resources, Massachusetts Nurses Association. National Nurses United, 2011.
“. . . positive effect on the nurse as well.” Author correspondence with Beth Perry. See also Beth Perry, “Why Exemplary Oncology Nurses Avoid Compassion Fatigue,” Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal 18, no. 2 (200
8).
taught a group of new nurses . . . bullying by peers. Martha Griffin.
“Experienced nurses do feel threatened . . . ” Interview.
exercise in which participants share . . . Interview with Patricia Potter, Barnes-Jewish director of research for patient-care services. See also States News Service, “Compassion Fatigue Program Gives Staff Skills To Be Resilient Against the Cost of Caring,” January 3, 2012.
“I absolutely” . . . “who love what they do.” Interviews.
About the Author
Photo Credit: David Robbins
ALEXANDRA ROBBINS, winner of the 2014 John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Magazine Journalism, is the author of four New York Times bestsellers. Her previous book was voted the Goodreads Best Nonfiction Book of the Year. She has written for The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New York Times, and other publications, and has appeared on numerous television shows, from 60 Minutes to The Colbert Report.
For lectures: alexandrarobbins.com
Also by Alexandra Robbins
Pledged: The Secret Lives of Sororities
The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School
The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids
Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power
Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis: Advice from Twentysomethings Who Have Been There and Survived
The names and/or identifying details of most of the people and some settings in this book have been changed or omitted to protect their privacy. The narratives do not use the actual names of hospitals; any similarities to hospitals that may have similar names is unintentional. Some chronologies have been shifted. All events and dialogue are as observed or as told to the author.
Copyright © 2015 by Alexandra Robbins
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced—mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying—without written permission of the publisher. Published simultaneously in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Limited.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
eISBN 978-0-7611-8423-2
Cover photo by Kurhan/fotolia
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The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital Page 47