SCRUBS CHIC

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THE NURSE’S GUIDE TO GOOD LIVING
Available at fine medical uniform stores
special issue!
scrubsmag.com
We won gold!
Best Nursing
Publication 2012
FOLIO: Eddie Awards
selfcare
How to avoid
compassion fatigue
50+ ways to
nurture yourself
Factors that fuel
burnout
Is that a dog in the ICU?
TThe
hehhhealing
ealingpowerofpups
power of pups
A prison nurse...
and other
career stories
Danielle Palmieri, RN, and Gracie
SCRUBS CHIC
Secrets behind
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SPRING 2013
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scrubs [spring 2013]
here once was a knight nurse,
in whom bravery was a gift...
4 Letter The central irony of nursing.
11 Vital Signs News for nurses on life, style and work.
Yet in spite of his might, his red,
itchy hands caused pain every shift.
19 Fashion
superstar Marc
Jacobs showed
gingham; scrubs
designers adapted
the trend and
added daisies.
He switched his gloves to latex-free,
but still was filled with woe.
Not by sword, but by wits
would he prevail, this noble battle won.
31 Do yourself a favor
and pack a snack of
fresh edamame.
‘Twas a deceptive chemical allergy...
this hero’s job was done.
There’s much more to this tale still left to tell...
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHRIS MOORE/CATWALKING; ISTOCKPHOTO; ISTOCKPHOTO; JEFFREY DECOSTER; CAROLYN JONES
pediatric oncology
nurse, has learned
so much from
her patients and
their families.
®
Nurses are great at taking care of others. Themselves? Not so much.
Thatís why we are devoting most of this issue to encouraging you
to be kinder and gentler with yourself.
cont en t s
36 Jessica Graef, a
T
and
an
nd TM
a e trad
ar
addema
emarks
rks oow
wned byy An
Ansel
sell Limited
sel
ted or
o on
one of its affiliate
ates.
ate
s.
©2013
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13 Ansell
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Healt
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ree Pro
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ducts
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ts LLC
LLC.. All Rig
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19 Scrubs Chic
21 S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : S E L F  C A R E
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Behind the Design Great scrubs style doesnít just happen.
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His comrades, too, were in need of relief...
he must defeat this cunning foe.
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17 Finds
22 How Well Do You Treat Yourself?
Find out just how prone you
are to burnout and compassion
fatigueÖand what you can do
to stop the spiral.
By Nancy Jo Bush, RN, and
Deborah A. Boyle, RN
26 Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?
After 22 years of absorbing the
trauma of others, a psychiatric
nurse, wife and mother realizes itís
time to tend to herself. By Laurie
Barkin, RN, MS
31 50+ Ways to Nurture Yourself Put some energy
and TLC into YOU for a change! By Hillary Quinn
26 Warning:
Ignoring your
own needs can
be hazardous
to your health.
36 All About You
Nurses on Nursing Every nurse has a story. In their own words,
five dedicated individuals describe what brought them to the
profession and how their jobs add meaning to their lives.
By Carolyn Jones
44 Expressions
A Picture of Balance Whether sheís behind her desk or behind
her camera, Carol Majewski, RN, MSN, easily switches from the big
picture to the finer details.
On the Cover
Danielle Palmieri, RN, a high-risk labor and delivery nurse at Ronald Reagan
UCLA Medical Center, and Gracie, her two-pound Chihuahua therapy dog.
On Palmieri, Cherokee Junior Luxe top. Photography by Lionel Cassini.
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[letter]
The Central Irony of Nursing
Isn’t it
about time
for nurses to
take care of
themselves?
NURSES MAY BE BRILLIANT at taking care of othersópatients, family, friendsóbut when
it comes to themselves, they too often grab food on the run, cheat on sleep, forgo exercise
and then have no reserve to battle on-the-job and everyday stress, to say nothing about
12-hour shift work that can literally be back-breaking. This is a central irony of nursing,
according to Nancy Jo Bush, RN, MN, MA, AOCN, and Deborah A. Boyle, RN, MSN, AOCNS,
FAAN, co-authors of Self-Healing Through Reflection: A Workbook for Nurses. As the
authors maintain, nurses are not natural self-nurturers, which is why weíve created a
special section devoted to helping you heed your own needs.
In “How Well Do You Treat Yourself?” on page 22, you can gauge your risk for empathy
overload, and determine what you need to do to prevent burnout. The authors, Bush and
Boyle, provide exercises and assessment tools for reflection so you can get started.
Something is bound to resonate when you read the honest revelations by Laurie Barkin, a
psychiatric nurse. In “Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?” on page 26, she recounts her
vulnerability to other peopleís pain as well as to the demands of three small children and
a husband immersed in his own career. Sound familiar?
Finally, in “50+ Ways to Nurture Yourself ” on page 31, youíll find dozens of indulgences
that will help you de-stress and reboot, including some super-fueling snacks for less than
Psychiatric nurse
Laurie Barkin eloquently
shares her pain.
150 calories and weekend getaways under $500.
THE GREATEST
Once youíve opened the window onto your
own needs, check out the five nurses in
LEADERS
“Nurses on Nursing” starting on page 36.
Photographer and award-winning filmmaker
Carolyn Jones gives voice to their very
personal stories, and admits to being in
awe of them. ìI do believe that they are a
special breedósome combination of innate
compassion and learned behavior.î Initially,
Like Scrubs?
Then connect
with us and
nearly 65,000 of
your peers at
facebook.com/
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and twitter.com/
scrubsmagazine.
she thought ìa nurse was a nurse,î but soon
discovered they have different jobs, different
ARE THOSE THAT ALSO SERVE.
makeups and live very different lives from
one another; the only constant is their
devotion to their jobs. In their own words,
they explain what it means to be a nurse and
what nursing means to them.
Photographer and
award-winning
filmmaker Carolyn Jones
traveled the country
interviewing nurses.
Being an officer in the Air National Guard is about more than taking charge. You’ll apply your natural leadership abilities
to a greater cause — service to community and country. And since you serve part-time, you can continue your civilian
nursing career and still have plenty of time for your family and friends. Plus, you’ll receive a generous package of benefits,
including health insurance coverage and a military retirement plan. Talk to an Air Guard recruiter today.
Catherine Ettlinger, Editor-in-Chief
Why do nurses neglect themselves? Let us know what you think. Email me at
catherine@scrubsmag.com, or post your thoughts on facebook.com/scrubsmagazine.
4
scrubsmag.comï S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
Become an Officer in the Air National Guard.
airguardjobs.com 1-800-598-4759
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INFOGR APHICS
To aing
winnrse
nu
ìYou donít know ME!î
P S YC H N U R S E S
Um, actually we do.
Back by popular demand:
Venn diagrams
of nurse quirks.
scrubsmag.com/venn
ìDid I pass?î
We dissect your
nursing school anxiety.
Find out the top classes
nurses are taking
(and repeating!).
GRADUATE
with
MORE
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Win a Care Package
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frumpy or fabulous.
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At WGU, earning your BSN or MSN means you graduate with more—more essential skills for
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NURSE MEMES
ìI did NOT spend my
day kissing a doctor.î
A nonprofit, online university, WGU was established to meet the needs of busy
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Pesky misconceptions
debunked. Share these
on Facebook.
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ADVERTISEMENT
Why I Love Travel Nursing
T H E I R P I C T U R E S T E L L P A R T O F T H E S T O R Y. T H E I R W O R D S
T E L L T H E R E S T : G R E AT P AY ! G U A R A N T E E D H O U R S ! G E N E R O U S B E N E F I T S !
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W H AT ’ S N O T T O L O V E ?
N O P O L I T I C S ! ìI was stressed and
A D V E N T U R E. ìBeing a travel nurse has
getting burned out from hospital
allowed me to explore the U.S. and learn about
politics and staffing holes. Not so
other places and cultures.î óDenise B., RN*
G R E AT PAY. ìAwesome compensation and
benefits.î óTony K., RN*
Thousands of travel positions –
all across the country
•
Weekly Guarantees,
Top Pay Rates,
Weekly Direct Deposit,
13+ Week Assignments
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Day One Benefits,
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Company-Matching 401(k)
•
30+ Caring Recruiters eager to see YOU
succeed personally and professionally.
anymore. Traveling is one of my
best career choices.î
óBecky S., RN*
N E W F R I E N D S . ìMy recruiter
H I R E D ! ìIt took three
will always be part of my
hours from the time
ëfamilyí and will forever hold a
I met my recruiter to
special place in my heart.î
contract signing. That
óTerri P., RN*
absolutely rocks!î
óSteve S., RN*
S U P E R S U P P O R T.
ìMy recruiter and
my housing and QA
coordinators are always
there for me.î óRosa C., RN*
LO C AT I O N , LO C AT I O N .
CO M F O R TA B L E
Q UA R T E R S . ìWhen
I got to my site, I
found my housing
to be well furnished
and equipped with
everything I needed
as a traveler.î
óOlivia L., RN*
ìI had some health issues
last year. But that wasnít
a problemóI got a job
where my doctor was. The
best part was that it was
down the road from our
children.î óJanice A., RN*
E A S Y D O E S I T ! ìAll you
have to do is pack your suitcase and take
your toothbrushóeverything else is set up
for you.î óLisa M., RN*
Nurses’ snapshots, from top: In Vermont, Jennifer W.
celebrates her climb to the top of Mt. Hunger, and captures
a lovely lotus and a sunset over Lake Champlain; Alison M.’s
photos include a hungry bear and the northern lights of
Denali Park, Alaska; Jennifer W. leaps into a swimming
hole in Bolton Valley, Vt.; and Nancy P. stands proudly
in front of her new trailer in Riverton, Wyo.
It’s
Travel Nursing
FA M I LY F U N .
ìIíve been a traveling nurse for
many years. Last year my wife
started traveling with me. On a
whim we bought an
RV. Weíve worked
throughout the
Southwest and now
Travel Nursing with Advantages!
we are in California.
www.advantagern.com
1-866-301-4045
We winter in
Montereyólifeís
tough!î óRichard
Recruiters@advantagern.com
and Sherri M., RNs*
*Weíd like to thank all of these travel nurses
who shared thoughts and photos from their happy
experiences with Advantage RN.
Advantage RN was proudly named to Inavero’s
2012 Best of StaffingTM Client list and 2012 Best of
StaffingTM Talent list. The Best of StafngTM awards,
presented by Inavero and CareerBuilder, recognize
exceptional service in the stafng industry. Fewer than 1%
of all stafng frms earned this honor. COME TRAVEL WITH US!
Email us (Scrubs@AdvantageRN.com)
or Text us (760-670-3130 and type
“Scrubs” as your message) to receive
HOT JOBS for your specialty.
Announcing
the...
Available at fine medical uniform stores
N E W S
F O R
N U R S E S
O N
vitalsigns
LIFE, S T YL E
A N D W O R K
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Catherine Ettlinger
The Healing Power of Dogs
C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
Maxine Davidowitz
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Mary Duffy
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Lila Garnett
COPY EDITOR
Melissa Brandzel
RESEARCH EDITOR
I
Ta j i n d e r R e h a l
Stress-free
education?
Yes!
t was a tough case: a five-year-old girl awaiting a
CONTRIBUTORS
Theresa Brown, RN; Daryn Eller; Hillary Quinn
bowel and pancreas transplant, who had essentially
D I G I TA L D I R E C T O R
given up the will to live. She hadn’t spoken a word in
Miriam Bookey
WEB SENIOR EDITOR
days. But that was before Gracie, all two pounds of
Paris Lia
her, came to visit. Gracie, a Chihuahua rescue who
D I G I TA L S T R AT E G I S T
Jenna Briand
belongs to Danielle Palmieri, RN, is a therapy dog in the
M A R K E T I N G O P E R AT I O N S M A N A G E R
Ta v a n e r S u l l i v a n
People Animal Connection (PAC) program at UCLA. As soon
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Kim Hong
as Gracie entered the room, the five-year-old perked up
W E B A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R
Kirsten Withrow
and her vitals returned to normal for the first time in days.
WEB DESIGNER
“She started talking and continued for 20 minutes,” says
Jennifer Bennett
Palmieri, a high-risk labor and delivery nurse at Ronald
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Susan Bunting 630-926-1816
susanbunting@mindovermedia.net
Reagan UCLA Medical Center. “They had tried every toy in
that hospital, but nothing worked like Gracie.”
R E C R U I T M E N T A N D E D U C AT I O N S A L E S D I R E C T O R
For the first time,
satisfy all your
CE requirements
with Scrubs
Heather Lagergren
This Spring, PBS will air an episode of Shelter Me, a series
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS
Fern Kershon; Cynthia Lappor te; Jay Little
looking at the positive impact of adopted shelter pets, that
D I R E C TO R O F M A N U FAC T U R I N G
Jo-Ann Keith
features PAC (see shelterme.tv for dates). PAC is one of the
C I R C U L AT I O N C O N S U LT A N T
Carla Blanco
largest animal-assisted therapy programs in the nation,
MARKETING DIRECTOR
and its dogs make 800 visits a month to critically ill children
Susan Pekich
M A R K E T I N G A S S I S TA N T
E r i n Ya r b r o u g h
❛❛
They had tried
every toy in that
hospital, but nothing
worked like Gracie.”
P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S
Dayna Macy 510-219-0819
dayna@mindovermedia.net
• 1 website
• 24-7 access
• 140+ CE-approved
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MIND OVER MEDIA, LLC
702 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
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PA R T N E R S
Susan Gates; Amy Rappeport
trend that’s
growing around
the country.
“Animal-assisted
therapy lowers
blood pressure
9800 De Soto Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818-671-2100
former director. “I’ve even seen people come out of a coma
in a dog’s presence. People ask, ‘But how do you know it
PUBLISHER
Michael Singer
was the dog?’ and I say, ‘How do you know it wasn’t?’”
E X E C U T I V E V P, M A R K E T I N G
According to Barron, animal-assisted therapy wouldn’t
Marty Morawski
V P C O M M U N I C AT I O N S & I N D U S T R Y R E L AT I O N S
Wendell Mobley
happen without the nurses, who lay the groundwork so
MANAGER OF DISTRIBUTION
dogs can make the visits. And nurses benefit, too: PAC
Copies of the magazine are available for $2.95 per copy plus shipping/handling, or in boxes of 75 copies for $1
per copy plus shipping/handling, or at the subscription rate of one year (4 issues) for $15,
o r t w o y e a r s ( 8 i s s u e s ) f o r $ 2 5 — a l l a t w w w. s c r u b s m a g . c o m / g e t s c r u b s / .
LIONEL CASSINI
S c r u b s m a g a z i n e i s p u b l i s h e d f o r S t r a t e g i c M e d i a G r o u p b y M i n d O v e r M e d i a , L LC , c o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 3 S t r a t e g i c
M e d i a G r o u p. A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . S c r u b s m a g a z i n e i s a t r a d e m a r k o f S t r a t e g i c M e d i a G r o u p. P r i n t e d i n t h e U S A .
A l l c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s h o u l d b e d i r e c t e d t o M i n d O v e r M e d i a , L LC , 7 0 2 1 6 t h S t r e e t , S a n t a M o n i c a , C A 9 0 4 0 2 .
Danielle
Palmieri, RN—a
DAISY Award
winner for going
above and
beyond the call
of duty—tours
the hospital in
her off hours
with Gracie.
and normalizes respiration,” says Jack Barron, PAC’s
S T R AT E G I C M E D I A G R O U P
Vicki Kadosh
Visi
scrubsmag.com/ce
and adults. It’s a
dogs are also brought around to visit them, especially
those in critical care. “It calms them down and puts smiles
on their faces. It’s rewarding to see the nurses have a
few relaxing minutes,” says Barron.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 •scrubsmag.com
11
Coming Soon...
[vital signs]
An online shopping experience EXCLUSIVELY FOR NURSES
Hand-picked clothing, housewares, beauty products and gifts nurses love
Discounts and rewards with every purchase
HOW
SWEET IT IS
Sister Act
HOW MANY TIMES have you had a brilliant idea,
only to shrug it off, believing it would be too
arduous to pursue? California nurses (and sisters)
Terri Barton-Salinas and Gail Barton-Hay also came
up with a brilliant ideaóonly they saw it through to
Clever cookie-maker
Jaclyn Shaffer devised
these medical-themed
cookies by getting
creative with cutters
she already had.
For instructions, go to
scrubsmag.com/magazine,
and also check out
jaclynscookies.com.
fruition. Their patented idea: ColorSafe IV Lines,
color-coated tubing designed to prevent medication
errors. ìWhen I worked in the ICU, the IV lines were
like a big pile of spaghetti,î says Barton-Hay, now
an OR nurse at Monterey Peninsula Surgery Center.
ìWe were sitting around telling war stories, and
Terri said, ëWouldnít it be great if tubing were
It’s a Mad,
Mad World
Even if you’ve never been the
target of a scalpel-throwing
surgeon, no one has to tell you
that physicians can behave
badly. But did you know it’s so
common that accredited
hospitals must have a
written policy on how
to handle doctors’
disruptive behavior?
Enter Anderson & Anderson,
colored?í We did some research, went to a lawyer
a certifed anger management
and now here we are.î
facilitator that frequently works
The sisters (one other sister and their mom are
with physicians. Factors that
nurses, too) found a manufacturer and even began
contribute to doctor rage include
selling the lines until they hit a bump in the roadó
stress, a perfectionist nature
the FDA asked for paperwork that it had previously
and dealing with insurance
waived. They complied and expect approval soon.
companies that limit treatments,
ìAs nurses, we care about our patients and want
says George Anderson, director
nothing but the best for them, so weíve just kept
of training. “Plus, doctors put in a
plugging away,î says Barton-Salinas, a labor and
lot of hours to get their degrees,
delivery nurse in the San Francisco Bay Area. ìIf we
which means they don’t have as
prevent just one medical error, it will be worth it.î
much time in life to develop
interpersonal relationships.”
To deal with doctors’ bouts of
anger, bring it to the attention
16
12
scrubsmag.comï S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
of the appropriate department
or committee at your hospital—
and also try a personal approach.
“Ask if you can speak to the doctor
privately for a minute,” advises
Anderson, “then ask if there’s
anything you can do to help.”
© TETRA IMAGES/CORBIS
Number of states where
nurse practitioners can
practice independentlyó
a figure not likely to grow
if family physicians have their way.
0SÆ`abb]aV]^
Sign up today at scrubsmag.com/codehappystore
[vital signs]
HOSPITALS ARE well equipped to deal with medical
emergencies, but crises of the spirit? Not so much.
Enter Code Lavender, which, like a Code Blue,
offers a form of resuscitation—but without
the chest compressions. Instead, when a
Code Lavender is called—whether the
person in need is a patient, family
member or someone on staff
dealing with an emotional or
spiritual crisis—the rapid response
team comes armed with a bevy of
potential therapies including reiki,
healing touch therapy, aromatherapy,
guided imagery, nutrition therapy and/or pastoral care.
The brainchild of ExperiaHealth, a company devoted to
improving the patient and staff experience, Code Lavender
addresses everything from a patient’s fear of an upcoming
surgery to a family member’s worry or stress about a loved
one to a nurse’s despair over having just lost a patient.
The program had its beginnings in a simple act of
collective goodwill. “When a patient was in crisis, everyone
on the hospital staff was asked to stop and send a healing
intention or prayer to his room,” says Bridget Duffy, MD,
chief executive officer at ExperiaHealth. “Eventually, Code
Lavender morphed into not only sending intentions, but
sending a healing services team to anyone in need.”
Several hospitals around the country now have a healing
team in place, including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
in Hollywood, Fla. And it’s been of particular benefit to
healthcare workers: At the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, 40
percent of all Code Lavender requests are from employees.
Grand opening!
The
prices and
products nurses love
Nurses, you deserve
a break—and that’s
just what you’ll get at The Code Happy Store. The virtual
shelves are stocked with fantastic lifestyle products specially
chosen—and discounted—just for nurses and their families.
You’ll find everything from cozy sweaters to cool candles. In
addition to the great nurse-to-nurse Code Happy App, the store
is one more way of spreading cheer throughout the nursing
community. Check it out at codehappystore.com.
14
scrubsmag.com• S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
GET MOTIVATED! OVERCOME
ANY OBSTACLE, ACHIEVE ANY
GOAL AND ACCELERATE YOUR
SUCCESS WITH MOTIVATIONAL
DNA by Tamara Lowe
I’m fascinated by how to effectively
teach/motivate patients (and myself )
to take charge of their own health.
This book looks at how different
personalities become motivated, and
has already been valuable in helping
me determine care plans for my
patients. —Jonathan Steele, RN, holistic
nurse in private practice, Scranton, Pa.
MAESTRO: A SURPRISING
STORY ABOUT LEADING BY
LISTENING by Roger Nierenberg
This is about how a symphony orchestra
solved problems. I picked it up because
I felt it would be inspirational, and it
is. It’s helping me to become a better
listener, something I feel we all need
to be reminded of from time to time.
—Melina Thorpe, Director of Cancer
Services, Glendale Adventist Medical
Center in Glendale, Calif.
A FISTFUL OF COLLARS:
A CHET AND BERNIE MYSTERY
by Spencer Quinn
This is number five in a series of privateeye novels narrated by a mixed-breed
German shepherd who couldn’t quite
make the cut for K-9 duty...but neither
could his owner. Great romp of a read
for stress-busting after a long day at
work. —Coleen Kenny, RN, MS, division
of geriatrics, Virginia Commonwealth
University Hospital in Richmond
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
by Andre Dubus III
I like it because the story builds up
to something melancholy and tragic
while giving some insight into
human behavior and motivation.
—Melanie Lukesh, FNP-BC, family nurse
practitioner in California
HOW SOCCER EXPLAINS THE
WORLD: AN UNLIKELY THEORY
OF GLOBALIZATION
by Franklin Foer
I am fascinated at how sports—in
particular, soccer—meld with society
and stretch beyond the pitch (field).
—Kimberly Bertini, BSN, RN, RNC,
Magnet Program Coordinator,
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
at Midwestern Regional Medical
Center, Zion, Ill.
DIRK RICHTER/ISTOCKPHOTO
Emotional Rescue
What’s on Nurses’ Nightstands?
up to fading, wear and tear, and
many, many washings.
Made from a unique blend of
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easy-care poly, Core Stretch is
the stretch that is built for work.
Don’t let its soft, flexible, super
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[finds]
Well Contained
W H AT ’ S I N YO U R L U N C H B OX ? P L A I N O L D S A N D W I C H B A G S ?
O R C O O L C A R R I E R S T H AT K E E P F O O D F R E S H  A N D J U S T
T H E R I G H T T E M P E R AT U R E !  E V E N T H R O U G H A LO N G S H I F T ?
No Microwave?
No Problem!
Grab the Crock-Pot Lunch
Crock Food Warmer: Stock
it with up to 20 ounces of
comforting soup, leftovers
or even hearty oatmeal.
Plug it in at the beginning
of your shift and enjoy
perfectly warm food that’s
ready when you are. $20 at
amazon.com
Now available in ten colors that
are perfect for your group or office.
If You Build It…
How to keep ingredients
separate until you’re
ready to eat (think fruit
and yogurt parfait with
granola)? Fit & Fresh’s Fresh
Start Breakfast Chiller is your
answer. It’s got it all: The
bottom bowl—complete
with a portable ice ring to
keep things cool—is perfect
for fresh fruit; granola’s up
next; followed by an insert for
yogurt or cottage cheese; and
last but not least, a reusable
folding spoon that snaps into
the lid. $10 at amazon.com
Flatware on the Fly
Going green (or just refusing
to scrounge for plastic cutlery
in the ICU’s kitchen drawer
again) is reason enough to
invest in To-Go Ware’s Bamboo
Utensil Set. You get a durable,
eco-friendly fork, knife,
spoon and set of chopsticks
(heat- and stain-proof), plus
a recycled carrying case that
ensures they make it to work
day after day. $13 at reuseit.com
Size Matters
One day it’s a bologna
sandwich, the next it’s last
night’s spaghetti Bolognese.
Either way, you can tote the
same food carrier: MoMA
Design Store’s Collapsible
Lunch Box expands for larger
portions of entrées and sides
(great for dinner on a night
shift!) or can be pressed down
into a compact version for a
simple sandwich and carrot
sticks. $28 at hsn.com
For these and other finds, go to scrubsmag.com/magazine.
DickiesMedical.com
Twist and Shake
No more soggy lettuce!
With Salad Shaker, your fresh,
crunchy greens stay that way,
thanks to a mini ice pack
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break time, twist the separate
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container and voilà, you’re
ready to dig right in. $10 at
ft-fresh.com
17
[scrubs chic]
Introducing
Rated and reviewed
by nurses
Ask fellow nurses about:
Job opportunites
O Salary and perks
O Workplace satisfaction
O Department specialties
O
Learn more at:
scrubsmag.com/guide/hospitals
MARC JACOBS AND ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: CHRIS MOORE/CATWALKING/GETTY IMAGES; DAISIES AND PAW PRINTS: ISTOCKPHOTO; KALEIDOSCOPE: DAJ/GETTY IMAGES; OSCAR DE LA RENTA: VICTOR VIRGILE/GETTY IMAGES
The Nurse’s
Guide to
Hospitals
Behind the Design
F A S H I O N E X P E R T S T A K E I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M R E A L
R U N W AY T R E N D S A N D T H E N C O N S I D E R T H E N E E D S O F N U R S E S .
N O W O N D E R YO U ’ R E LO O K I N ’ S O G O O D !
THE TREND
m
go-go gingha
Gingham has grown
up! Style icon Marc
Jacobs paired the
little-girl checks with a
complementary—not
matching!—pink
paisley-style print.
Cherokee designers
spotted the trend and
adapted it for nurses.
A sophisticated blackand-gray ground gets a
dose of cheer from big
blooming daisies. In the
same way Jacobs used
a contrasting belt for
definition at the waist,
Cherokee added piping
around the V-neckline
to highlight your face.
Runway by
Cherokee
“Floral
Fantasy”
top, $27.
THE TREN
kaleidoscDop
e
Runway by
Cherokee
“Check out
the Daisies”
top, $26.
With her fearless fashion
sense, Lady Gaga became
Alexander McQueen’s
unofficial muse—but
you don’t have to be
outré to be “in” at work.
McQueen’s popular
kaleidoscope prints on his
one-of-a-kind designs—
now in the hands of
the multitalented Sarah
Burton, who designed
Kate Middleton’s wedding
dress—are turning up
on perfectly appropriate
work clothes. The beauty
is in the blurring: The
overall effect of a wild
design in bright colors is
muted through the eye of
a kaleidoscope, making it
hospital-worthy.
Oscar de la Renta
has been one of the
world’s leading fashion
designers for over 50
years, known for his
red-carpet gowns and
evening wear. No, he
doesn’t have a line of
scrubs, but the
creative team
at Dickies has
taken inspiration
from his “hot
spots” on
ladylike dresses
in basic black and white
and created irresistible
prints with charming
animal-face dots.
ND
THE TRE
hot spots
Dickies
“Spot the
Animals”
top, $27.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 ïscrubsmag.com
19
[scrubs spring 2013]
Introducing
SELF-CARE
Special Section
The Nurse’s
Guide
to Nursing
Schools
While we were
working on the first
10 issues of Scrubs,
one irony kept
screaming out to us:
Nurses are great at
taking care of others.
Themselves?
Not so much.
So, we are devoting
the bulk of our
pages to the topic
of self-care,
encouraging you
to be kind, gentle and
patient with yourself.
Itís the ìsecure your
oxygen mask firstî
ruleóthe best
way to care for others
is by caring
for yourself first.
2,000+ nursing schools
rated and reviewed
by students and alumni
Find out about:
Applications
Student satisfaction
The best schools for you
“This school is great!
I applied online and
their financial aid process
was super easy.”
IN THIS
SECTION:
HOW WELL
DO YOU TREAT
YOURSELF?
P. 22
WHO TAKES
CARE OF THE
CAREGIVER?
P. 26
50+ WAYS
TO NURTURE
YOURSELF
P. 31
scrubsmag.com/guide/nursingschools
SHOUT
Learn more at
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 ïscrubsmag.com
21
[special self-care section]
HOW WELL DO
YOU TREAT
yourself?
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
TO FIND OUT IF YOU SHOW
YOURSELF THE SAME
COMPASSION YOU SHOW
YOUR PATIENTS AND
EVERYONE ELSE IN YOUR LIFE.
I F E E L YO U R PA I N . . . A L I T T L E TO O M U C H ?
Empathy is a natural human response. But constant exposure
to other people’s sufering without the protection of self-care
and self-compassion can lead to empathy overload. Answer
yes or no to the fve questions below—an afrmative answer
is a warning sign of empathy overload. Next, refect upon the
statements under each heading. Answer true or false to each to
gauge your level of empathy strain and to recognize the ways
it impacts your life at work and at home.
1. Are thoughts of patients intruding into your
of hours?
After working with my patients, I’m haunted by what
is happening to them.
I react to situations the way my patients might
(e.g., on edge, anxious, irritable, startled).
My work makes me worry more about the safety of
those I hold dear.
Because of the intensity of my job, I am reappraising
my own beliefs.
and D E B O R A H A . B O Y L E , R N
Illustrations by S H O U T
I experience protective feelings toward my patients.
I have experienced a need to rescue, shelter or save
my patients.
I am deeply touched by my patients.
I have done more for my patients than is required by
my professional role.
4. Have you become isolated or alienated from
friends and colleagues?
I do not feel safe talking to my colleagues or
supervisors about my concerns working with
challenging patients.
I feel alienated from those who do not understand the
work that I do.
I have felt abandoned by my colleagues and supervisors.
I fnd it difcult to share some of the horrifc stories
about my patients.
5. Are you disillusioned with your job?
2. Have you become detached from patients?
By N A N C Y J O B U S H , R N
3. Do you have a super-nurse complex?
While listening to my patients, my thoughts drift
elsewhere.
I fnd myself fatigued and drowsy while working with
my patients.
I feel myself “numbing out” while listening to
my patients.
I tend to remove myself emotionally from my patients.
Is self-healing getting a big
enough portion of the pie?
It’s hard to maintain frm boundaries with
my patients.
I have wanted to discontinue working with specifc
patients because of the intensity of their care.
I often wish that I were doing something diferent
in my career.
I have a heightened awareness of living or reason
for being.
KNOWLEDGE
IS POWER
CREATE A PIE CHART to assess how you divvy up your days
and how much effort you are devoting to self-healing.
Draw a circle on a sheet of paper to allocate the percentage
How do you begin to identify the need for self-care?
First and foremost, by acknowledging the inherent risk
of your activities in your usual day. If you work a 12-hour
for emotional, physical and spiritual depletion brought
shift, then that takes up half your day. Draw a wedge to
on by the demands of nursing. Much like frefghters
signify the amount of time you devote to self-care activities,
anticipate and prepare for threats to safety in their work
and write down the specifics (dinner with friends, reading for
settings, so must nurses ready themselves for risks to
pleasure, going for a hike, taking a nap, etc.).
their well-being.
Now draw a second circle and reconfigure your self-care
That means building resilience by striving for inner
wedge to make more time for self-nurturing, jotting down the
peace, fnding a balance between giving and receiving,
new behaviors you can undertake.
sadness and joy, so you can continue to work with
tenderness, empathy and vulnerability.
22
ADAPTED WITH PERMISSION FROM SELF-HEALING THROUGH REFLECTION: A WORKBOOK FOR NURSES, HYGEIA MEDIA, © 2012.
COPIES OF THE BOOK MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH THE ONCOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY AT WWW.ONS.ORG/PUBLICATIONS.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 ïscrubsmag.com
23
[special self-care section]
FAC TO R S
T H AT F U E L
BURNOUT
Here, the deadly dozen circumstances and
running on empty...
and what to do about it
WHEN YOUR emotional reserves have been tapped dry, youíre more likely
to suffer burnout. The following interventions can help prevent this.
characteristics that can lead to burnout and
AVO I D B L A M E . Burnout leads to feelings of isolation, and blaming
empathy fatigue. Check which statements ring
yourself or projecting blame onto others often leads to further withdrawal.
true, and seek support (or at the very least,
Blame is self-perpetuating and leads to a destructive negative cycle.
do a little soul searching).
TA K E AC T I O N . Start by stepping back and reflecting upon those
circumstances that have led to burnout with your job. Self-knowledge can
1. Toxic supervisor
and lack of colleague support
2. Little fun at work or in life
3. Only a fuzzy understanding of
one’s own needs
4. Lack of a professional
process to create more
competence and less anxiety
5. Emotionally draining issues
decrease feelings of helplessness. What action can you take to change
your circumstances? Is there someone you can trust to talk to and share
your feelings? Do you have colleagues who share the same frustrations?
Brainstorm ways to assist and support each other.
TA K E CO N T R O L . Identify what you canóand cannotódo to change
your work circumstances. Focus on what you can control. Strengthen your
own assertiveness skills and learn to say ìnoî when appropriate. Know
your own triggers and find ways to manage them.
S E T G OA L S . Reflect upon your professional and personal goals. If your
current job doesnít nurture those goals, it may be time to take your talents
in one’s personal life
to a new and different setting. Transitioning from inpatient to outpatient
6. An inability to say no to
care or changing specialty practice can often rekindle enthusiasm and the
unreasonable requests
7. Vicarious traumatization that
takes an accumulated toll
8. Personal relationships
desire to learn. Think about the good opportunities that are ahead in your
work and your life, which may
help you feel ìunstuck.î
P R AC T I C E S E L F - C A R E .
characterized by one-way
Basic self-care includes exercise,
caring (you give,
adequate rest and sleep, and
everyone else takes)
good nutrition. Other burnout
9. Constant perfectionism
in work tasks
10. Continual unresolved
ambiguous professional
losses
11. A strong need to be
needed
12. Professional success
preventive measures may include
meditation, guided imagery, yoga,
journaling or other activities
that lead to personal insight or a
higher level of spirituality. Treat
yourself to massage therapy or,
if needed, interpersonal therapy.
Find support from relationships
It’s a vicious circle: When you’re
sufering from burnout and
compassion fatigue, physical
and emotional exhaustion
make it difcult to improve
your self-care strategies. You
may also subconsciously feel
that self-care is selfsh if it
takes away from work-related
projects or valuable time
with family and friends. This
represents a diferent but
similar double-edged sword—
a personality trait of selfess
giving but from a vulnerable
point of self-starvation.
Here, ways to steer clear of
compassion fatigue.
1. Practice responsible
selfishness. Engage in
activities to recharge and renew
personal energy for your own
well-being while remaining
responsive to the needs
of others.
2. Separate work from
home. Develop strategies
to leave work at work.
Decompress on the commute
home, or practice meditation
or exercise right after work.
A healthy barrier can minimize
the compounding efect of
personal and professional
stressors.
outside of work, with people
defned solely by outward
who can listen to your concerns
recognition or appreciation
objectively and provide feedback.
Identify something to look forward
Go to scrubsmag.com/magazine for
to each day, in or out of the
interactive quizzes with real-time
work setting. This may be quiet
results. See how your scores compare
moments in a garden or a walk
with those of other nurses!
with a close friend or loved one.
24
S I X S T R AT E G I E S F O R AV O I D I N G
C O M PA S S I O N FAT I G U E
3. Develop positive
support groups. Surround
yourself with people who are
willing to listen, empathize and
problem-solve with mutual
understanding. And don’t be
afraid to engage in group or
individual psychotherapy.
4. Refuse to be a victim.
Feelings of helplessness
exacerbate negative feelings.
Don’t dwell on what you
can’t control…the realities of
managed care, for instance.
5. Remember to laugh.
Hearty and sustained laughter
has been found to relieve stress
and boost immune response.
Carry out activities that
promote laughter, such as
social events with friends,
movies and, yes, even fnding
the ability to laugh at our
own gafes.
6. Redefine success.
For high achievers, a sense
of personal failure is a
major contributing factor to
compassion fatigue. Learn to
reframe expectations and
value every little thing you
Web exclusive: Take our interactive self-care quizzes at scrubsmag.com/magazine.
do for patients each day—they
all add up! ●
NANCY JO BUSH, RN, MN, MA,
AOCN, is an assistant clinical
professor and lecturer at the UCLA
School of Nursing. DEBORAH A.
BOYLE, RN, MSN, AOCNS, FAAN,
is the oncology clinical nurse
specialist at the Chao Family
Comprehensive Cancer Center at
the University of California, Irvine.
25
[special self-care section]
WHO
TAKES
CARE
OFthe
caregıver?
AFTER 22 YEARS
ABSORBING THE
TRAUMA OF OTHERS,
A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE,
WIFE AND MOTHER
REALIZES IT’S TIME
TO TEND TO HERSELF.
I DECIDE I CANíT GO with Brian and the kids to his
secretaryís party. I feel too anxious, too much in my
own head, to be able to make small talk with people I
donít know. As soon as theyíre out of the door, I have
second thoughts.
Maybe I should force myself to socialize.
Will Brian be able to handle all three kids at the
same time?
Itís drizzling outside and the streets are slick. When
was the last time I had the brakes checked? I think
By L A U R I E B A R K I N ,
RN, MS
about the father and his two sons who were killed by a
drunk driver on their way back from a ski trip last year.
Illustrations by
The mother and daughter had stayed home. What ifÖ
JEFFREY DECOSTER
Stop! You have precious time alone. Uninterruptible
time, reading time, singing time, gardening time.
26
FROM THE COMFORT GARDEN: TALES FROM THE TRAUMA UNIT. COPYRIGHT © 2011 BY LAURIE BARKIN.
ADAPTED WITH PERMISSION OF LAURIE BARKIN AND FRESH POND PRESS. WWW.LAURIEBARKIN.COM.
[special self-care section]
I stand immobile in front of the window. The house itself
spring. Itís so sad I almost canít bear it, until I realize that
Maybe another drink will help me not bite Brianís head off
seems to be in a state of shock. What, no clamoring? No
she must bear it, not I. She must endure this sorrow while I
when he walks in. But the alcohol has already unleashed my
whining? No crying? In the silence, my heart pounds.
get to go home and hear my childrenís laughter and feel
worst thoughts.
Do something! Clean the kitchen. Turn on the music.
W
hile I wail with Chaka Khan, I fill the
their kisses and hugs. Life is not fair.
Donít go there. How about the garden? Werenít you going
to dig out that plum shrub?
dishwasher, scrub the counters and put
I pull on my jeans and boots and walk into the drizzle.
away toys. I make beds and throw in a load
Nasty barbed whips grow from each branch. I begin to
of laundry. After that, I clean the kitchen
left. What was the last thing they heard me say? ìMommy
needs some time to herself.î When did I start putting my
needs above my family?
Then, another dizzy spell sends me to bed.
slice the earth around the roots with my shovel. Not so much
ìMommy! Mommy!î
as a rootlet snaps. When a barb hooks my forearm skin, I
Lights snap on.
Chaka has sung herself out, I vocalize with Dusty Springfield
curse and change tactics. Gripping my pruner, I begin to
The boys jump on the bed. ìLet us in!î
singing about ìa little loviní early in the morning.î
sever the five- to six-foot whips on each branch, removing
I groan, ìMommy is sleepy. Whereís Daddy?î
most of them by the time the drizzle turns to rain. I bundle
Singing has always been a tonic for me, a way of releasing
and tie the whips with jute rope. When I stand up, my head
my feelings. Suddenly, Iím aware of how much Iíve missed it.
Maybe I should join a church with black gospel singers. Iíd
love to let loose like that every week.
The church ladies stood in a circle around Linda St. John,
a 29-year-old woman who sustained a broken femur and
spins. Kneeling, I wait for the feeling to pass.
After a shower, while waiting for my tea water to boil, my
head starts to spin again. I forgo the tea and drift off on the
couch with a wool blanket stretched over me.
When I awaken, itís dark outside. Whereís Brian? It would
Wait a minute!
I didnít tell them that I loved them this morning when they
floor sticky with juice and spilled pancake syrup. When
Clearly, Dusty didnít have young kids.
ìBye, honey,î he says, ìIíve got to get in early for a
conference call. See you tonight.î Heels click down the stairs.
ìHey, Laur. Itís only eight oíclock. Whatís up?î Brian drops
his backpack and takes off his leather jacket.
ìIím just beat. Could you pop the kids in the tub and put
them to bed?î
I hear exasperationóheís been watching the kids all
dayóbut I canít force myself out of bed.
ìMommy, whereís the gold marker?î demands Corianne.
I
will myself up, roust the kids, make breakfast, pack
lunches, drop the kids off and collapse back into bed.
Get up and call work.
Antoinette, my officemate, asks whatís wrong. Before
I can answer, my lungs spasm.
ìYou need to see a doctor,î she says in her military
voice. ìToday.î
I just want to sleep. But I know sheís right. I call. Yes, I
can be there in an hour. I drive, knowing I shouldnít. The
X-ray confirms the diagnosis.
ìYouíve got pneumonia. Go home and rest.î
I leave a message on Brianís voicemail asking him if he
can pick up the kids and my prescription. Then I curl up
under the covers.
multiple contusions when she was hit by a truck that jumped
be like Brian not to call. During the workweek, he rarely calls
the curb, where she was waiting for the bus with her seven-
during the day. He is so focused the thought just doesnít
year-old daughter. The little girl was thrown into the air. She
occur to him, even when the kids are sick. I make a cup of
died in the ambulance.
tea and carry it over to the piano, where I play one of the few
I kill the lights and slide back under the covers, coughing
songs I know from memory, ìLike a Lover,î barely hitting the
through the early morning hours before finally falling into a
youngest, bursts out crying when he sees me. I apologize
high E flats I used to make with ease.
dead sleep.
for being late, for being sick, for making them worry. Once
The church ladiesí hands were clasped together. Their
eyes were closed; their soft voices melded into a lullaby.
Rummaging through my Laura Nyro songbook, I turn to
ìI NEED it for my Victorian house project.î
The door opens, then closes.
I try to answer, but something triggers a coughing fit.
ìIn the telephone drawer,î I sputter.
Brianís heels click on the hardwood floor.
The phone rings. The house is dark. ìMommy, arenít you
going to pick us up?î
Moving through disorientation, I pull on my sweats and
arrive at school two minutes after closing time. Benny, my
weíre all home, I remember that Brian never called back. I
What a friend we have in Jesus
ìBillyís Blues.î When I sing, ìBillyís down, he was born, he
All our sins and grief to bear
was bound to lose,î Will Averyís face appears in my mindís
ìSorry, honey. I was in a
What a privilege to carry
eye. Will, who told me he had killed two women by the time
deposition all day. Even if Iíd
Everything to God in prayer.
he was fouróhis mother in childbirth and his aunt in a car
gotten your message, I wouldnít
accident he had inadvertently causedóspent his entire life
have been able to get away. Not
avoiding people. After barely surviving six weeks in the ICU
with the trial coming up.î
ìMy baby,î she said, ìmy babyís been taken from me. Why
did God take my baby from me?î
How will Linda get through the day? How would I get
through the day if it were my daughter?
with necrotizing pancreatitis and with $1,500 to his name,
no one who cared and no hope for a job, he turned his face
to the wall and died. Before I finish the last note, emotion
call his office.
Who will take care of the
caregivers?
Brian comes home after the
I understand nothing about losing a child.
rises up in my throat. This time I give in. No oneís here. No
kids and I are already in bed.
ìWe were just standing on the corner waiting for the bus.
one to upset but myself.
Then, before any of us gets up
She was telling me about a boy in her class who could
Oh, Will. If only someone had told you that four-year-old
the next morning, heís gone.
wiggle his ears. I said, ëI bet you could wiggle your ears if
children cannot be held responsible for killing people, you
Usually, I understand. But this
you really put your mind to it,í and she shut her eyes to
might have forgiven yourself and found some happiness.
morning, I feel abandoned. I suck
concentrate, when all of a sudden I see a truck jump the
I am full out crying now, so this must be the mother lode.
it up and get the kids ready for
sidewalk in front of us. Oh my Lord Jesus, heís hit my baby!
I mix myself a vodka tonic and take two ibuprofens for my
school. Later, I pick up my
My baby. Help me, Jesus. But I know sheís gone. I know my
throbbing head.
prescription myself.
baby girl is dead.î
I do not want to cry in front of a patient.
Sometimes I can distract myself, but in front of Linda St.
John, tears stream down my face like Yosemite Falls in
28
scrubsmag.comï S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
Itís after six. They left before ten this morning. Why arenít
they home?
By seven oíclock, Iím pacing and wondering if I should
call the emergency rooms.
The kids do their best to
comfort me. After I pick them up
from school, Corianne makes me
tea with honey, Danny draws me
29
[special self-care section]
a picture of a beautiful day, and Benny climbs on me as I lie
What would happen if I took off my pack?
on the couch. Corianne reads to the boys at bedtime so that I
If I am not a nurse, who am I?
can turn in early.
Hours later, I feel Brian slip into bed.
ìAfter midnight,î he says. ìWe had a filing. Did you get
Aladdin. Judging from the scene I saw as I
walked past, I have 12 or 13 luxurious
ìYeah, but it takes a while to work.î
minutes in which to shower. After scrubbing, shampooing
ìIím so tired,î says Brian. He turns over and goes to sleep.
and conditioning, I stand with my back to the downpour
In the darkness, I cry. Something in me has changed. I am
while wet heat pummels my muscles and opens my lungs,
not the person I thought I wasóself-reliant, independent,
filling me with a new sense of purpose and possibility.
strong, a person who takes care of others but needs no
A rumbling erupts in my chest. It pushes upward until it
caretaking in return. The fact is I need my family. They
uncorks streams of uncontrollable laughter. I ride the waves
ground me. They soothe me. It shocks me that Iíve come to
of giddiness until they dissipate and deliver me to an island
depend on them as much as they depend on me.
of calm. Then I hear the pounding on the bathroom door.
talking about a nurse who was
recently diagnosed with cancer.
That makes four nurses and a social worker
with breast cancer, one nurse with liver
cancer and one with brain cancer. Several
weeks ago, a substance abuse counselor
committed suicide.
Who will take care of the caregivers?
For 22 years, Iíve listened deeply to
stories of men who violated children and
mothers who pretended it wasnít happening;
of pimps who enslave girls, husbands who
beat wives, young men who shoot at people
as though they were cans for target practice;
of grown-up children with fractured souls
ìMommy!î yells Benny.
I FEEL
RAVAGED
BY OVEREXPOSURE
TO HUMAN CRUELTY
AND SUFFERING….
IF I WERE MY OWN
NURSE, I WOULD
ADVISE DOING WHAT
FEELS GOOD: TAKE THE
KIDS TO THE PARK, DIG
IN THE GARDEN, MAKE
LOVE, COOK GOOD
MEALS, SPEND TIME
WITH FRIENDS.
because of parents who tried to ìbeat some
ìMaaaaaahmeeeeeeee!î
Benny eyes me suspiciously. ìItís
over, Mommy. The movie is over.î
When I tell my boss and
colleagues that I am leaving,
most are not surprised. Though
they assume itís to spend more
time with my three kids, and thatís
to break the bank. Even something as small as a
that I need to leave to take care
walk in the park or a new lipstick can do the trick.
of myself before I become a
do yourself
a favor
basket case.
If I were my own nurse, I would
advise doing what feels good: Take
the kids to the park, dig in the
they bled or heard voices telling them they deserved to die. I
and try new thingsómeditation, exercise and yoga. I feel
feel ravaged by overexposure to human cruelty and suffering.
guilty for having the option to leave when others donít, but
PUT ORDER IN
YO U R CO U R T The Zenlike calm you get from cleaning
out your makeup bag, paring
down the clothes in your closet
or getting those giveaway toys
to Goodwill is, frankly, priceless.
we caregivers must find ways to take care of ourselves so we
can continue doing our work.
Like the roots of a rose, mine will continue to support me
stage when I dream. If there is a way of listening to othersí
through a period of dormancy, until I am ready to bloom
feelings without being touched in return, I cannot imagine it.
again. I will always be a nurse. ●
It feels like Iíve come to the end of a 22-year backpacking
trip. My shoulders ache. I need to drop my backpack, sit
LAURIE BARKIN, RN, MS, is a psychiatric nurse consultant to
on a high peak, and gaze at where Iíve come from and
the University of California, San Francisco. She is the author
what lies ahead.
of The Comfort Garden: Tales from the Trauma Unit.
scrubsmag.comï S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
Throwing a little attention your way doesn’t have
partially true, the real reason is
with friends and choose movies from the comedy section;
standing in the wings when I am awake and moving to center
20 GUILT-FREE
PLEASURES
(for $20 or less!)
I smile at my future. ìSo it is.î
garden, make love, cook good meals, write, sing, spend time
Perhaps I am, by nature, vulnerable to other peopleís
By H I L L A R Y Q U I N N
in a towel and open the door.
bodies or refused to eat, people who scrubbed their hands until
pain. Images of trauma become lodged in my psyche,
YOURSELF
I shut off the water, wrap myself
senseî into them. Iíve worked with people who mutilated their
30
TURNING THE FOCUS
INWARD MAY FEEL
UNNATURAL TO
NURSES, BUT IT’S
TIME TO PUT A LITTLE
ENERGY INTO YOU!
SWEATERS: © OCEAN/CORBIS
A
for my next shift, everyone is
to nurture
W
family room, the boys are still riveted to
your medicine?î
s soon as I arrive at the hospital
50+ WAYS
hen I enter the kitchen and peek inside the
ìWhat time is it?î
GET A (SOCIAL) LIFE
Go to work. Come home. Eat
dinner. Watch TV. Go to sleep. Repeat.
It’s easy to slip into a routine that leaves
little room for fun. Time out with the
girls—even if it’s just “Let’s meet for
coffee”—breaks up the tedium and lets
you relax and reconnect with friends.
TA K E A
K I TC H E N
BREAK
Most people give
themselves limited
options when
they don’t feel like
cooking—namely,
calling in for pizza
or pulling out
the Chinese takeout menu. Another
alternative? Ask a few friends if they
want to go in on a meal exchange
program: Each person takes turns
cooking and delivering a simple dinner
in one shot.
E N J OY S P E C I A L D E L I V E RY
We’re of the mind-set that whatever
makes your life easier is always the way
to go…whether that means arranging
for your milk and meals to be delivered,
ordering movies from netflix.com,
renewing your favorite magazine
subscription or bagging your beauty
basics online. One fun package for
your doorstep: a subscription service
to glossybox.com. You get a monthly
bounty of the hottest brands—think
Burberry and Ole Henriksen—and the
joy of dabbling in serious luxury for
about $20 a month.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 •scrubsmag.com
31
[special self-care section]
H O N O R YO U R
U N M E N T I O N A B L E S There’s no
other way to say this…every girl needs
an underwear
overhaul on
occasion. So
go through
your
“drawers”
and toss
the torn, the
tame and the tired
panties, restocking
with feminine-yet-comfy
styles that you’ll be happy to
see each morning. One brand we love:
Gilligan & O’Malley (about $5 a pair
at target.com).
engage your
senses
G E T O N T H E S C E N T A sterile
work environment can leave your
senses begging for more…fragrance,
that is. That’s why it’s comforting to
create olfactory moments at every
turn. When you come home from work,
light a deliciously scented candle, ply
your bed with a lavender pillow and
32
scrubsmag.comï S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
look your
best
PAY L I P S E RV I C E
Put your money where your
mouth is by counteracting
dry hospital air with soothing
balms and glosses that feel
great when you apply them.
We love derma e Hydrating
Lip Repair—it contains
super-hydrating
hyuralonic acid and
comes in a pocketfriendly tube (about
$14.50 at natural food
stores and at amazon.
com). And when it’s
time for a bit of color,
L’Oréal Paris Colour
Riche Caresse hits
every base: six hours’
of moisture and glossy
shine (about $10 at
drugstores). Sheer
Linen—a rosy beige—
and Pink Cashmere
are our workday
favorite shades.
keep a tiny,
tote-anywhere
fragrance in your car
or handbag for a quick pick-me-up. A
perfect idea: Crabtree & Evelyn Solid
Perfume Compact—you can choose
among lavender, rosewater, lily and iris
($13 at crabtree-evelyn.com).
S O F T E N U P Counteract the clinical
nature of your work life by adding
tactile pleasures wherever you can. It’s
welcoming to come home to an übercomfy feece blanket on your TV couch
or to see luxurious slippers waiting by
the front door. Or put your head on
a satin pillowcase each night (about
$11 to $20 at Target, JCPenney and
overstock.com). Bonus: The silky
fabric will prolong
your ’do and leave
your hair—and
face!—crease-free
each morning.
REFRESH
WITH
G RA P E F R U I T The
invigorating scent of this
citrus powerhouse is the central
ingredient in many beauty
products these days. Two
we love: Burt’s Bees
Refreshing Lip
Balm with Pink
Grapefruit, which
contains vitamins
C and E ($3 at
drugstores); and
derma e Pink
Grapefruit Hand
& Body Moisture
Therapy, which is
so intoxicating you’ll
be snifng your hands
every time you hit the
handy pump dispenser (about
$9.50 at health and vitamin stores).
having someone
else rub your
tired arches. No
time? Slather on a
workaholic product, like
derma e Intensive Therapy
Foot Crème—it’s actually stocked
with ingredients designed to
support healthy circulation (about
$19 at drugstore.com).
STO P A N D S M E L L
T H E R O S E S A fower
delivery is fabulous (and now
and again, you might actually
!nd a deal at your local forist).
Or try a spritz of Heritage
Products Rose Petals
Rosewater ($9 at vitamin and
health food stores, and at
amazon.com).
This lovely facial atomizer
smells like a fragrant rose
garden and delivers an
energizing boost, says celebrity
makeup artist Robin Black. Use it on
your body, your pillowcase…even in
your culinary creations.
LOV E T H E
S K I N YO U ’ R E I N Plenty of
companies have launched “beauty
balms,” but L’Oréal Paris Youth Code BB
Cream Illuminator is our hands-down
favorite ($16.99 at drugstores). In one
generous tube, you get broad-spectrum
sunscreen, vitamins, moisturizer and
just the right amount of coverage.
FAMILY: JUPITER IMAGES/BRANDX/GETTY IMAGES
B E A N E S C A P E A R T I ST
Everyone tires of the relentless demand
of phones and BlackBerrys, computers
and cars. So make a conscious efort
to check out for an entire weekend…
by going ofine, screening your calls
and turning of anything that buzzes,
dings or rings. You’ll feel like you’re on a
vacation from life—no travel required.
T R E AT YO U R F E E T We don’t
have to remind you of the beating
your tootsies take from hours on that
linoleum foor. Pamper yourself with a
pedicure—enjoy the sensuousness of
soaking your feet in a warm bath and
FOOTBATH: NELL SNAPE/STONE/GETTY IMAGES; PETALS: DAN GOLDBERG/GETTY IMAGES;
GRAPEFRUIT: © JEFF OSHIRO/GETTY IMAGES
I N S P I R E YO U R S E L F
There’s something to be said for
dreaming, which is why listening
to TED talks, watching a video
like wherethehellismatt.com, or
poring over beautiful home-design
magazines or
luscious-looking
cookbooks can be
motivating pastimes.
Another source of
inspiration: pinterest.com. Sign up for
free, then log in and be prepared to get
lost in a virtual photo album that will
motivate you on every front—from food
to furniture to ftness to fashion.
T RY A N E Y E - O P E N E R
Looking for that little pop of color?
M•A•C Fluidline Eyeliner is your
go-to product ($15 at
maccosmetics.com). The
no-smudge gel formula
goes on like a dream
and comes in six
shades. CoverGirl
NatureLuxe Mousse
Mascara creates lush
lashes that will last
through a 12-hour shift
without dry, faky clumps
(about $9 at drugstores). To
frame your eyes, consider a brow wax,
often as little as $12 at local nail salons.
G I V E YO U R
HAIR SOME
C A R E Consider
a professional
blowout for a
change—you’ll
feel like a million
bucks. Though the
going rate across
the country is
about $35, you can
whittle the price
to $20 through
package
deals or
online
discounts.
Another
afordable
way to indulge: eSalon Custom
Formulated Haircolor, an online
auto-delivery service that
ofers the perfect compromise
of professional guidance and
afordable pricing. For $19.95,
they’ll take you through a
detailed, interactive hair-color
evaluation for the perfect
formula, delivered to your
doorstep with a 100 percent
money-back guarantee
(esalon.com).
GET A LITTLE GLAM
You’ve been wearing Crocs
and scrubs and neutral nail
polish…so when there’s no
shift on the calendar, segue to
style that pushes the envelope
a bit. Wear a sky-high heel (try
gojane.com for afordable, “fun”
shoes); pull out your anythingbut-subtle fragrance; grab a
bottle of Essie’s Bungle Jungle (a
pearlescent hibiscus red) and
do your nails up
right (about $5 at
amazon.com).
live in the
moment
L E A R N TO L AU G H The best
kind of ab workout may just be the
one you get after a good, unexpected
belly laugh. Hit the local comedy club
on occasion or just succumb to some
silly car dancing with your kids now
and then. As they say, laughter is the
best medicine.
R E V E L I N Y E ST E R DAY ’ S
B E ST There’s something comforting
about indulging in simple pleasures
from times gone by: Dig out your soft,
old Levi 501s; drink Coca-Cola from a
glass bottle; eat mashed potatoes for
dinner; or pick up Dr. Bronner Magic
Pure Castile Classic Liquid Soaps ($10)
from the grocery store. These all-natural
body washes, in scents like
peppermint, lavender
and almond, have been
around for some 60
years and are perhaps
the most humble way
to turn your tub into a
home spa.
LET THE
S U N S H I N E I N Head
outdoors for a 15-minute
nature break and soak up
some vitamin D. A short walk
on the way to work or an
afternoon break in a garden
will lift your spirits.
33
[special self-care section]
ìThatís because each is the perfect balance of protein, healthy fat and
fiber-rich carbohydrates,î explains Stephanie Clarke, MS, RD, cofounder of
cjnutrition.com. Even better: They keep you away from the unhealthy
temptations that beckon from the hospital vending machines.
the sweets
the savories
Edamame: 1 cup of precooked
edamame. (Bonus: It takes a while
to nibble!)
Mini Cheese Plate: Pair a whole-grain
fatbread cracker with 4 ounces
of cheddar cheese and 2 dried
apricot halves.
Creamy Cuke Toast: Top half of a
whole-grain sandwich thin with 1
tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese,
4 slices of cucumber, a pinch of black
pepper and the remaining half of the thin.
Popcorn Mix: Toss 3 cups air-popped
popcorn with 2 tablespoons Parmesan
cheese and 1 teaspoon toasted
sunfower seeds.
Turkey Roll-Up: Spread an
8-inch whole-wheat tortilla with
1 tablespoon hummus and 1 slice of
turkey breast, then roll and eat.
Tuna and Crackers: Pair 3 ounces of
Bumble Bee Sensations® Seasoned
Tuna Medley Bowl Sundried Tomato
& Basil with 5 Kashi Crackers
Original 7 Grain.
Eggy Tomato Nosh: Snack
on a hard-cooked
egg with 1/2 cup
sweet cherry
tomatoes.
34
Banana Crunch: Roll a medium
banana in 1 tablespoon
chopped walnuts.
Vanilla Almond Apricot Cream:
Top a 6-ounce container of Chobani
vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt with
3 dried chopped apricots and
1 teaspoon sliced almonds.
AB&J: Spread
2 teaspoons almond
butter and 1 teaspoon
jam on 1 slice of
whole-wheat bread.
Rainbow Ants on a
Log: Top 2 medium
celery stalks with
1 tablespoon peanut
butter and 2 tablespoons
mixed dried fruit.
Cranberry-Pecan Trail Mix:
Mix 1/3 cup Kashi Heart to Heart Warm
Cinnamon Oat or Honey Cereal with
1 tablespoon dried cranberries and
1 tablespoon pecan halves.
Clif Kid Zbar: Chocolate Brownie
favor—our favorite!
Fig-Topped Ricotta: Top 1/3 cup
part-skim ricotta cheese with 2 dried
chopped fgs and a dash of cinnamon.
Cream Cheese Date Bites: Spread
each of 3 Reduced Fat
Triscuits with 1 teaspoon
reduced-fat cream
cheese, then top with
1 dried date and
1 walnut half.
It goes without saying that taking
a break—not cofee, but the actual
vacation kind—can have a positive
impact on your emotional health.
A recent study conducted by researchers
at Erasmus University in the Netherlands
found that short, frequent getaways
provide an even greater beneft than
a single long trip taken once a year…
which is good news for anyone whose
demanding shift schedule and budget
can’t accommodate a big-deal journey.
“There are defnitely ways to make trips
cost-efcient,” says Emmy award-winning
travel expert Rudy Maxa. “You just have
to consider some creative options.”
A few of his favorite super-savers….
T RA D I N G S PAC E S Consider
swapping lives for a few days with
someone who lives in an interesting
city that’s a relatively inexpensive plane
ride away (e.g., Seattle to San Francisco;
New Jersey to Miami; Charleston to
Nashville). The pros? No hotel fees, inhome dining and a car at your disposal.
One good site to try: homeexchange.com.
They let you browse gratis, then charge
a fee only if you fnd a home you
actually want to book.
N O R E S E RVAT I O N S Book a
hotel room with a kitchenette (also
known as a Pullman kitchen) and keep
pricey restaurant meals to a minimum—
an especially wise rule when traveling
with antsy youngsters who can’t sit
through long dinners out. “What you’ll
save on breakfasts alone will help keep
your trip under the $500 tab,” says Maxa.
I T ’ S N I C E TO S H A R E . . .
…especially with a friend or another
family if you’re both interested in the
same vacation spot. The elegant condo
or beach-home rental that’s out of your
$nancial reach could be utterly doable
if you’re splitting the fee. One resource:
vacationrental.com—they boast
more than 35,000 choices (U.S. and
international), plus a Deals section that
lists special cut-rate ofers. Caribbean
villa, anyone?
SKI LIFT: KATHY QUIRK-SYVERTSEN/GETTY IMAGES; EXERCISE: © RADIUS
IMAGES/CORBIS; FRIENDS: JUPITER IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
These easy-to-grab nibbles are diet-friendly and offer long-lasting energy.
5 GETAWAYS
under $500
EDAMAME, FRUIT BITS, TOMATOES AND EGGS: ISTOCKPHOTO
15 HEALTHY SNACKS
(150 calories tops!)
T RAV E L
AG A I N ST
T H E G RA I N
Consider
visiting ski
resorts in
summer, beach
destinations
in winter…
and enjoy
the fact that
you won’t be
fghting crowds
or paying hefty hotel bills. At Whistler,
B.C., and Sun Valley, Idaho, you can
hike, bike, swim and golf when
the snow isn’t falling. Many travel
websites—like cheaptickets.com—
provide of-season specials as a regular
service to their users.
CASH IN ON CAMPUS Looking
to travel during the summer or over
long holiday breaks? Some colleges and
universities ofer inexpensive lodging
(and even dining) deals in their dorms
during non-session periods. And most
alumni associations ofer members
discounts at local hotels and car rental
agencies (check your alma mater
online), and even actual lodging if they
own their own urban club, à la Harvard.
10 MIX-AND-MATCH
MOVES (10 minutes max!)
For many nurses who work long hours, a regular class can seem overwhelming
and un-doable. These exercises, developed with the help of celebrity fitness
pro Jennifer Cohen, founder of No Gym Required, work different parts of your
body and can be done anytime, anywhereÖno excuses!
P L I É S Q UAT : Stand
with feet hip-width apart,
toes out, pelvis tucked,
back straight. Keeping
your knees aligned with
your toes, bend into a squat
position and hold for several
seconds. Slowly return to
start position and repeat 15
to 20 times.
TRICEP
D I P : Sit on the
edge of a stable chair, hands
gripping the seat; lean slightly forward.
Straighten arms and lift hips so your
butt clears the chair. Keeping shoulders
down, torso straight, lower your hips,
bending your elbows. Slowly straighten
your arms. Repeat 10 times.
C A L F RA I S E S : Holding a railing
or wall, place the balls of your feet on
the edge of a step, heels down. Slowly
raise your heels until you’re on the
balls of your feet. Lower slowly. Repeat
20 times.
L E G L I F TS : Lie on your back, legs
straight, arms at your sides. Keeping the
small of your back on the foor, slowly
lift your legs six inches of the foor,
hold for 15 seconds. Lower and repeat
10 times.
PUSH-UPS:
Lie on your stomach,
legs straight out, arms bent by your
sides, palms down. Keeping back level,
straighten arms and push body upward.
Lower body by bending elbows to
shoulder level. Repeat 10 times.
raise your
heart rate ... and
metabolism
TA K E A B R I S K WA L K
To up the intensity, alternate walking
and sprinting.
TA K E T H E STA I R S Pump your
arms as you power your movement.
Or take two at a time.
O B L I Q U E T W I STS : Lie on your
back, legs straight, hands behind your
head. Tighten your abdominals as you
curl your torso up and touch your right
elbow to your left knee. Slowly lower
your torso to the foor. Repeat 10 times
each side.
J U M P R O P E Keep your knees soft
and stay low, jumping about an inch or
two of the foor. ●
B U T T S C U L P TO R : Lie on your
stomach, arms at your sides, legs
straight. With hips down, raise one leg
six inches of the foor 10 times. Repeat
with the other leg.
HILLARY QUINN is a frequent contributor
to magazines and websites, including The
Hufngton Post, Cosmopolitan, Self and
Good Housekeeping. Read her blog at
hillarythebargainhunter.com.
S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 ïscrubsmag.com
35
[all about you]
NURSES
on
NURSING
EVERY NURSE HAS A STORY. HERE, IN THEIR OWN WORDS,
FIVE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBE WHAT BROUGHT THEM TO THE
PROFESSION AND HOW THEIR JOBS ADD MEANING TO THEIR LIVES.
Photography and Interviews
by C A R O L Y N J O N E S
JESSICA GRAEF
MSN, RN, CNL
CHILDREN’S NATIONAL
MEDICAL CENTER
Washington, D.C.
NURSING IS A SECOND career for me. As a kid, I never would have predicted
Iíd grow up to be a nurse. I was interested in developing countries and
famine relief because my dad did that kind of work. I lived overseas as a
child, and after I got married, my husband and I moved to Mexico City,
where he was a professor and I worked at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
While we were living in Mexico, I got pregnant with twins who were born 10 weeks
prematurely and put in the neonatal ICU. We moved back to the U.S. when the kids were about a
year old. When I thought about going back to work, I kept finding myself drawn to the health field.
My plan was to put my international experience and nursing together to do development work
again. But life takes you to funny places. I started on the hematology/oncology unit four years
ago as a new RN. I am very happy where I am; nursing is a perfect fit for my interests.
I am challenged intellectually by the physiological critical thinking I do on an everyday basis.
And I am able to help my patients emotionally. Iíve had some harrowing hospital experiences
with my children, and that makes me more comfortable dealing with families and patients.
These families are tremendously strong. Iím sure they go through their breakdowns, but
they come back with incredible strength and love. They deal with some really hard issues and
somehow hold it together. They pull from their inner strength to cope and to help their children.
Iíve learned so much about myself from seeing how other people interact, how they deal
with things like this and how they are able to come up with compassion in the most horrendous
situations. I always try and have a sense of hope, because without that, what do you have? Some
people think that pediatric oncology nurses are angels or saints, but I have to say that I have
learned and gained from my patients and their families just as much as I have given to them.
FROM THE AMERICAN NURSE, PHOTOGRAPHS AND INTERVIEWS BY CAROLYN JONES. WELCOME BOOKS.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS 2012 ©CAROLYN JONES. WWW.WELCOMEBOOKS.COM/AMERICANNURSE.
37
[all about you]
I GREW UP ON the Lower
“I don’t look at
their rap sheets...
my job is to
take care of a
human being.”
thoughts are in the present. I don’t look at their rap sheets, and I don’t know what
the majority of my patients have done to be here. I don’t want to know. I know
they’ve done something bad, but my job is to take care of a human being. I don’t
treat these patients any differently than I would a patient out on the street.
The inmates in hospice care have six months or less to live. What makes this
program unique is that we have 26 inmate volunteers, who do this work for no
compensation at all. They have their regular jobs, and come here during their
of my career has focused
on women’s health. Now I
work on the Mom & Baby
mobile unit, which is fully
downtime—either daily, every other day or, if it’s a vigil, then 24/7. For the most
TONIA FAUST, CCNM, RN
LOUISIANA STATE
PENITENTIARY
Angola, La.
part, the dying inmates have someone with them all the time; no one dies alone. I
mean, that is a luxury that most of us outside this prison won’t have.
It’s truly exceptional to see these older—sometimes huge—men sitting at the
bedside of a dying inmate, reading to them or feeding them ice cream. The guys
stay the entire time, and once the patient passes, they bathe and dress them for
equipped with an exam
the morgue. Sometimes
room. We can do obstetrical
we even cry together.
ultrasounds on the bus.
Last year, I think
It goes out five days a week
we had 15 deaths, and
and serves three different
the average age was
communities, including
51. The majority of our
the Ninth Ward. I’ve seen
hospice patients die
patients who are the
from cancer. In terms
granddaughters of people
of our volunteers, most
I’ve known.
are lifers, and many
Many of our women live
of them came here at
in pretty secluded areas—
a young age, so they
some not even accessible
know they’ll probably
by bus. Others need to
wind up here at some
change buses three or four times to get to a clinic where the wait time can be two
point. A lot of them
hours for a 10-minute appointment. We can use time much more efficiently by
say that coming here
gathering together a group of eight women for a two-hour meeting in a program
to help the dying is a
for obstetrical patients called Centering Pregnancy.
calling. They just felt
We do assessments in a private corner; the rest of the time is spent on
education and counseling. We talk about immunizations, feedings, what is
“I’ve seen patients
who are the
granddaughters
of people
I’ve known.”
I tell them I’m not here to judge them. When I am working with a patient, my
My mother was a nurse
since I was a little girl. Most
INTERIM LSU PUBLIC HOSPITAL
New Orleans, La.
want to know how I can take care of men who have committed horrific crimes.
Ninth Ward in New Orleans.
and I wanted to be a nurse
DEBORAH NETTLES, FNP
I’M THE HOSPICE COORDINATOR at Louisiana State Penitentiary. A lot of people
normal and what isn’t. Our research shows that with Centering Pregnancy the
like they needed to
contribute something.
This job is emotion-
outcome is better for both the baby and the mother. About 50 percent of all
ally draining, but very
pregnancies are unplanned, so we also continue healthcare after delivery. We
rewarding. I go home at
want to make sure women understand about contraception and that there are
night knowing I made
ways to plan their pregnancies. I think it’s very important to provide support,
an impact on someone’s
and I enjoy the opportunity to communicate with these women.
life. I feel blessed to be
When I grew up, we didn’t go to the doctor very often. As far as women’s
in this program.
health was concerned, we didn’t discuss it. Something as simple as a menstrual
cycle was a mystery. That’s how old I am and how long I’ve been around.
I believe the women’s services we provide, and the things we talk about in our
program, have been instrumental in saving many lives.
38
scrubsmag.com• S P R I N G 2 0 1 3
39
[all about you]
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
FOR THE PAST YEAR ,
Our flexible, self-paced nursing programs are designed to advance clinical expertise,
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Iíve been working with
Warriors in Transition.
My job is taking care of
injured soldiers. Any
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Accelerate degree completion; ask about generous credit transfer and demonstration
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concern you have just
pales in comparison to
the challenges these
soldiers are facing.
My family has a
long history of military
service. My father was
Thomas Edison State College is one of the 12 senior public colleges and universities in New Jersey, and is accredited
by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000).
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
(NLNAC), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
in the Air Force and
both my grandfathers
were in the Navy.
Apply Now!
Learn more at www.tesc.edu/nursing, or call 866.540.9378.
At 18, my dad gave
me a little lecture
about going into the
service; he didnít think
I was ready for school.
I was a bit rebellious,
and the military
Explore the possibilities...Online
at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
gave me structure
military, I gravitated toward medical care, which I got interested in when I was 14.
Online options currently
available include:
My grandfather had Lou Gehrigís disease. The nurse who took care of him treated me
Applied Health Informatics
like an adult, taught me all kinds of things and gave me confidence.
Forensic Nursing
and taught me discipline. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do in the
BRIAN MCMILLION
RN, MSN, MBA-HCM
VA SAN DIEGO
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
San Diego, Calif.
I was called up for the first Gulf War. It was scary. Sometimes we had to wear a
Clinical Nurse Specialist
lot of protective gear because of the threat of chemical attack. Luckily we did not
experience that. We moved away from the border of Iraq and set up a staging area for
Health Systems Management
our hospital. It was fascinating to work in an ER where six different languages were
Nurse Educator
spoken and the beliefs about emergency response activities were completely different.
The Johns Hopkins University
After being on active duty, I got hired at the VA as a medical-supply technician,
“...if I can help
one of these guys,
I can continue
to do this work.”
40
where I got to see the lifestyle of a nurse. So I became an LPN, then an RN with an
School of Nursing—A place where
associateís degree, and then I got a masterís degree in nursing.
exceptional people discover
possibilities that forever change their
In the end, my experiences in active duty inspired me more than traumatized me.
They made me realize how blessed I was just to wake up each morning with all my
nursing.jhu.edu/online
lives and the world.
limbs, without needing painkillers, and without having experienced nightmares all
night. I also realized that if I can help one of these guys, I can continue to do this work.
Web exclusive: Watch video interviews with these nurses at scrubsmag.com/magazine.
525 N. Wolfe St.
Baltimore, MD 21205
410-955-7548
[all about you]
“You never know
what people are
going through.
Everyone is
special. Everyone
has a story.”
WEíRE A CRITICAL CARE truckóLifeline Transport. We transport patients between facilities
and also within the hospital. We also have a flight team. Thereís nothing outside the
scope of nursing that we canít handle.
I started out in the ICU, where itís so busy that you canít always spend a lot of time
talking to a patient. When youíre sitting in an ambulance with a patient, you can really
learn a lot in 15 minutes.
I think the essence of being a nurse is being able to adapt to each person and be
intuitive and understanding. For example, I was taking care of this woman in neuro ICU;
sheíd been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was basically at the point of herniation.
She did go brain dead and her husband decided to donate her organs.
He was sitting by her bed, and I was trying to be supportive. He told me that exactly a
year ago on that very day, he and his wife got a knock on the door at two oíclock in the
CARLY TURNER, BSN, RN
THE JOHNS HOPKINS
HOSPITAL
Baltimore, Md.
morning. It was the police. It turned out that their daughter had snuck out of the house,
gotten into a car accident and been killed. He broke down, saying he didnít think he
could get through it without his wife, after already losing his daughter.
It gave me chills. There was nothing I could say to take away his pain. I just cried
with him. Later he told me that it meant a lot to him to see my emotions. Sometimes
just being human and
letting go can be helpful to
the families.
You never know what
people are going through.
Everyone is special. Everyone has a story. Sometimes
you get so wrapped up in
how busy it is that you just
forget to be a personólike
just introducing yourself.
You have to stop and think:
If it were me, how would I
Let us
it out for you…
want to be treated? I think
that sometimes we have
to remember that this is a
personónot just a diagnosis or a room number. Itís
about human interaction,
showing compassion and
We’re looking for nurses just like you to join the
Interim HealthCare® family!
With more than 300 offices, we provide the flexible assignments you
need to fit your life — and your priorities. As America’s leading provider
of home care, hospice and healthcare staffing, chances are we have the
right assignments for you — as well as the resources and opportunities
to help you grow, including free continuing education.
relating to someone. ●
Visit www.careersbyweb.com today to apply for a great job!
CAROLYN JONES is an
internationally recognized
photojournalist and
award-winning filmmaker.
Win a care package!
Scrubs and Interim HealthCare polled
nurses about their favorite things.
See what you can WIN!
Visit ScrubsMag.com/WeCare to enter.
Learn more about Jones
and the American Nurse
Project at carolynjones.com.
©2013 Interim HealthCare Inc. Each office is independently owned and operated. Interim is an equal opportunity employer.
PENTAGON GROOVES.
DRI-LEX ...PORON ...
[expressions]
A Picture of Balance
®
WHETHER BEHIND HER DESK OR BEHIND HER
C A M E R A , A N U R S E E A S I LY S W I T C H E S F O C U S F R O M
T H E B I G P I C T U R E T O T H E F I N E R D E TA I L S .
Carol Majewski, RN, MSN, above, captures
the moment. Clockwise from left: Seasons
blend together in New England as autumn
stubbornly hangs on through a snowstorm;
an early frost gives new meaning to frozen
fruit; a tree bends to the wind in Patagonia;
a squirrel in his element, Glacier National
Park; a blue-footed booby takes a walk in the
Galapagos, where the exotic is commonplace;
and a hometown loon makes a splash.
AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
of perioperative services at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon,
N.H., Carol Majewskiís duties range
from long-term strategic planning to
on-the-spot problem solving. Running
®
REALLY?
a department of 300 people means
plenty of meetings (about 25 hours a
week), emails (about 100 a day) and
the occasional ego to smooth (she does
work with surgeons). The responsibility
is daunting, the pace frenetic, but come
the weekend, she winds down by turning her focus to nature photography.
With camera in hand, Majewski
freeze-frames scenes that would flash
by in the blur of a workweek: a baby
loon mimicking its mother on the lake behind her house, or
light dancing on a snowy landscape. ìIíve found that photography nurtures me in a way I need,î says Majewski. Itís a lesson in
self-care she shares with the people she supervises. ìMy nurse
managers see the pictures hanging in my office. They know I
take time off, and I encourage them to be role models by finding balance.î The displayed photos also serve another purpose:
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ìLooking at them is like a mini-break taking me back outdoors
to a moment in time.î
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44
Nurses share their creative expressions at scrubsmag.com/magazine.
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© 2013 Kao USA Inc.
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