Nursing

The Wright way to use humor in education

Nurse Leader Weekly, October 17, 2005

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To set the stage for her presentation on using humor to "move mountains," or deal with difficult people/situations, funny woman Donna Wright, MS, RN, hiked down the aisle of an elegant ballroom sporting a winter coat (hood on), black gloves, and ski goggles.

Wright, a consultant with Creative Health Care Management in Eden Prairie, MN, has the makings of a successful comedienne, but it is her passion for nursing education that landed her in New Orleans at the National Nursing Staff Development Organization's July conference.

One of the first points Wright made to the audience was the importance of using humor-and the creativity necessary to be humorous-to "get attention" when trying to move "organizational mountains," a point she highlighted, underlined, and circled with her atypical entrance.

"[Humor] is a science you have to be aware of and apply whenever possible," Wright told audience members during her aptly named session, "Using Humor to Move Mountains: The Air May Be Thin Up Here, But the View is Great!"

You must look at difficult situations, tasks, and problems with humor to be creative, Wright says. However, not all humor is created equal, she warns. There is both "white" and "black" humor.

Wright says white humor elevates a situation, bringing it to a new level by making people think and be creative. Black humor, she says, causes others to feel bad, such as gossip-based or self-deprecating humor. Steer clear of black humor, Wright advises.

Humor boosts educators' creativity and learners' memory, so apply it whenever possible, says Wright. For example, when telling a story, embellish it by using lots of details. "Tell the details; they're what make a story funny," Wright says.

Killjoys and killer phrases

Unfortunately, not everyone is open to new knowledge or ideas. "OJRs," or on-the-job retirees, for example, can create frustration among educators and others who are trying to bring change to an organization, says Wright. OJRs are nurses or other staff who continue working even though they appear dissatisfied with the job. "They suck the life out of everyone and everything," says Wright.

The vampire effect that OJRs have on institutions can be debilitating. They are particularly threatening to new staff who have lots of questions, says Wright.


Instinctively, new staff look to the least busy person to answer their questions. Unfortunately, these people tend to be OJRs, says Wright. And in a single moment, an OJR can erase what the new staff member learned in orientation.

OJRs are also the kings and queens of "killer phrases." Killer phrases are those that take energy away from what you're trying to do, says Wright. For example, if you attempt to get an initiative passed, you may hear the following killer phrase: "We tried that three years ago; it didn't work then, and it won't work now."

To combat killer phrases, Wright suggests listening, validating, and articulating what you hear to the speaker. Then restate your idea, plan, or whatever it is you're trying to do or say. This will send a clear message.

Also, always have responses prepared for killer phrases, says Wright. If you're caught off-guard, avoid saying the first thing that comes to mind, suggests Wright--it most will likely be inappropriate.

Instead, hold on to those after-the-fact responses to killer phrases. "When you think of a response after, hold onto it. The situation will arise again," Wright says

Source: This article is adapted from The Staff Educator, October 2005, HCPro, Inc.



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