My last blog post was over three years ago. I’ve missed it at some times and other times…not so much. I never quit writing, though. I fed my creative writing drive through writing journal articles, textbook chapters, tweets, personal journal notations, and even business plans. They all served as beautiful outlets for the myriad ideas running through this beautiful-crazy head.

I need to spruce up the Nursetopia place a bit, but I expect to drop a few more posts than [ahem] in recent years. It’s great to see you again!

Heaven, help me.

I’m practicing positive self-talk and controlled breathing as I get ready to return back to work today.

[Deep breath in, mentally counting 1, 2, 3] You’ve got this. You’ve gone this long without emails; it will be okay if some emails are left at the end of the day. You work with incredible people that kept work functioning; just pick up right where you left off (and slide them all thank you notes).

10 days without work has changed my life. And I am not exaggerating. I took a road trip with my family, strategized board game after board game, played with delight in the Colorado snow until the thin air threatened to choke me out, cooked meals with my sisters, swam in a hot spring with snow all around me, read whatever I wanted to (or didn’t), stayed up late, slept much later that I’d like to admit, drank all the water I was “supposed to” for the day, exercised, napped, laughed until my side hurt, frequently forgot I had a computer and a cell phone, and sat by more fires than I can count.

It was nothing short of magic. Much of the time was pure pleasure in rest – no agenda – just rest.

D.I.V.I.N.E.

I do not know why I deprive myself of this kind of rest, why I overcommit myself. It does nothing but increase my anxiety and negative impact my family.

You know it’s good when three children have been with you for two solid weeks and don’t want you to leave for work. There is no doubt about it – I was burned out upon leaving for my holiday vacation that I’ve had planned for over a year. I was crispy burned.

I feel re-energized to help my team, my organization, my community – and my family. It’s a win-win-win. And, as much as I’d love a perpetual vacation, I actually missed my work and my colleagues. That’s a good, good sign. So, off I go, with a brighter candle and more oil in the lamp.

Burnout is real. Mind your flame, and check your friend’s wick while you’re at it.

I created all of my Valentine’s Day cards with fond childhood memories in mind…paper valentines – some funny, some sweet, some quirky – filling a construction paper covered shoebox. In retrospect, knowing my “love language” is words of affirmation, it’s clear to me why I loved those cards so much. They were filled with precious words from the people I was around all the time.

I believe appreciation should be prolific in healthcare work places. I mean, our work is hard. We should be pouring out (appropriate) love everywhere on one another to take care of ourselves and those we work alongside each and every day.

If you need a little help getting your Valentine’s Day appreciation ready, have no fear. For the First. Time. Ever. I’ve bundled all of my cards together in a sweet, sweet package for you. BUT it’s only for sale through Sunday, February 3, 2019. (If you’re an administrator, vendor, or just have a lot of healthcare friends, there’s a special, cost-savings bundle for you, as well.)

I am so excited to finally offer Nursetopia cards in the marketplace. Enjoy!

Writing is a work of creative love. Your Guide to Cancer Prevention is the result of two years of editorial effort alongside an incredible team including the Oncology Nursing Society Publishing Team, who took a chance on me as a solo editor, and 13 authors, more than half of whom were first-time book chapter authors – several I met through blogging and social media over the last six years. A consumer book is daunting yet incredibly meaningful to me. Educating the public is a nursing role I hold near and dear, and while advances in cancer technology and treatment are fabulous, my oncology nursing passion is cancer prevention and detection. I hope I get the opportunity to see many more editions of this book as cancer care rapidly advances.

While the AJN has been the “leading voice of nursing since 1900,” this is the 49th year the AJN has recognized high-quality publications. I am honored to be a part of this prestigious group.

Congratulations to all my nurse author colleagues!

Each year I select one word to guide my efforts for the year. I believe this is my 8th year to publish this intention via Nursetopia, which is hard to believe I’ve been sharing that long!

2019’s one word is audacious. It’s imprinted on my brain and plastered throughout my calendar and journal for the New Year. I’ll use it as a measuring stick for the next 365 days.

I’m excited for all that 2019 will bring. Daring, bold, original, and full of spirit! I can sense the changes coming for my family, faith, work, home, and dreams.

May 2019 be everything you hope for, Friends!

I started – ended – and began again a long-time dream of fostering-to-adopt a child. While my family’s first attempt didn’t end the way I had prayed, like the circle, we find ourselves right back in the same place of re-opening our hearts and homes to a child in need of us and our lives in need of that child.

Two very large pieces of work I crafted for several years were published this year, and, yet, other publications are in the works or rolling around in my dreams as I begin to put them to paper.

I circled and circled and circled school and work – two very familiar places that I’ve worn paths around. I know 2019 will bring me change for both.

My faith has deepened. My prayers have focused. My voice has strengthened. All are the result of circling in 2018. I’ve circled the familiar until I’ve looked at it from every angle imaginable; it has brought me new perspective of the familiar. And I am thankful as the circling ends and I step out onto new pathways.

Tomorrow, I will share my one word for 2019. Happy New Year’s Eve, All!

One way I have cultivated a culture of gratitude in work is by stocking a “Gratitude Station” in each work environment. It’s often colorful and has pens, markers, stickers, inspirational quotes, and plenty of blank notecards for team members to grab and use for literally any reason. Coworker having a bad day? Write a note. Patient you bonded with going home? Write a note. Made it to Friday? Write a note. Supply chain found that needed supply? Write a note. Wife’s birthday and you forgot? Write. A. Note.  

Honestly…the reasons are endless, but I promise you’ll feel a little peppier as you’re writing and giving that note that, in turn, brightens someone’s day. It’s healing in action – for the receiver and the giver. 

I have one Gratitude Station on a table outside an office. I recently made an over-the-door Gratitude Station for my inpatient floor (since a table would protrude into the egress space which is a compliance no-no). It’s as easy as it looks. The only “special” thing to remember in hospitals is the door width size is larger, so the over-the-door hooks should be “industrial width.” The one I bought from Amazon included two sizes of door hooks, which is perfect in case I ever need to use the shelving for any other reason. 

Enjoy!

If you’ve ever wondered how to start a revolution (against you), that’s how. [Hat tip to the NRA for organizing some of the most knowledgeable, selfless, and respected people on the planet in less than 280 characters.]

Read the original Twitter thread to see what advocacy via social media looks like while also building immense gratitude for physicians and the healthcare community. It’s phenomenal. It’s still growing, and it’s birthed the #ThisIsOurLane and #ThisIsMyLane hashtags as well as an open letter to the NRA from American healthcare professionals. I invite you to join me in signing that letter.

Indeed, four of the nine October 30, 2018, Annals of Internal Medicine articles e-published ahead of print are related to gun violence research and evidence. All four articles are open-access (Thank you, Annals!):

• “Reducing firearm injuries and deaths in the United States: A position paper from the American College of Physicians”
• “Expanding the public health approach to gun violence prevention”
•  “What can I do as a physician to prevent firearm injury?”
• “Public perceptions of firearm – and non-firearm – related violent death in the United States: A national study”

Approximately six hours after NRA’s tweet, the U.S. experienced its 307th mass shooting in 2018, at the Thousand Oaks, California, Borderline Bar and Grill. According to the Gun Violence Archive, it was America’s 307th mass shooting in 311 days. The Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), published the same week, indicated firearm homicides and suicides are on the rise.

Let me be clear.

I believe in the Second Amendment.

I believe in life.

We tend to think NRA is bigger than it really is. According to Pew Research, about 70% of Americans say they’ve fired a gun, and approximately 40% indicate owning a gun or living in a home with a gun. Yet, only 19% of gun owners are a part of the NRA. So, in one sense, NRA’s tweet could be seen as grappling for exposure… “There’s no such thing as bad PR,” right?

Whatever the case, imagine what could happen if the NRA was willing to collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure gun safety in our nation. Responsible gun legislation isn’t infringing on the Second Amendment; it’s bolstering it while caring for people. And, it is something the NRA once advocated for, as well. That NRA is long gone. While the NRA may not think healthcare professionals or science [gasp] have seats at the gun legislation table, healthcare professionals say otherwise as they move ahead, owning the lane, undeterred.

The breadth of their knowledge, the extent of their empathy, the time management and organizational skills, and let’s be real…the demand on their bodies – these nurses are ab.so.lute.ly a.maz.ing.

It’s time to celebrate the heck out of these nurses for serving as the backbone of nursing. This specialty gives rise to all others. Love on a Medical Surgical Nurse this week with plastered posters or mini cards. Or food. Or money. Or a day off. Or all of the above.

Medical Surgical Nurses, You are my heroes. I celebrate you this week! You’re kinda a big deal.