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Speak up! Empower nurses’ voices

Nurse Leader Weekly, April 3, 2006

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Editor's Note: The following excerpt is from HCPro's latest book Ending Nurse-to-Nurse Hostility: Why Nurses Eat Their Young and Each Other by Kathleen Bartholomew, RN, MN. For more information, or to order a copy, visit hcmarketplace.com.

There is a hierarchy of voice that I use to encourage nurses' self-esteem. It is a "hierarchy" because each step results in greater empowerment. In performance evaluations, I share the following list and ask staff to pick ten meaningful actions that they would like to perform to increase their self-esteem. Staff then label their choices from one to ten (easiest to hardest).

Addressing specific behaviors that are a challenge to a nurse stimulates meaningful conversations about that individual's stumbling blocks to empowerment and self-esteem. I point out that each of the following actions incrementally builds self-esteem, respect, and autonomy:

• Introduce yourself to patients with a firm handshake.
• Use "Nurse" or "RN" when introducing yourself to patients and their families.
• Educate each patient about your role in his or her plan of care every day.
• Don't apologize when calling a physician.
• Use the progress notes for communicating any areas of concern to physicians.
• Invite a new nurse or nursing assistant to eat lunch with you.
• Shake hands with and introduce yourself to all new physicians and staff.
• Expect physicians with whom you work daily to know your name. Remind them, if necessary.
• If you witness an abusive interaction, report it to the manager.
• Volunteer to represent your organization at community events.
• Use reflective practice to recognize your skills and attributes.
• Compliment a coworker every shift; recognize his or her skills and attributes.
• Always use "I" when approaching another peer with a problem.
• Speak your truth. Verbalize your feelings.
• Bring concerns that cannot be resolved to the manager's attention.
• Participate in shared governance.
• Refuse to participate in gossip.
• Don't sit by and say or do nothing while someone else is being talked about negatively. State that the issue should be brought up with the person involved, and then leave.
• Identify a problem AND its solution for the unit. Then share it with everyone.
• Write an article or editorial for a newsletter.
• Make a presentation at physician rounds.
• Participate in regional nursing conferences and events.
• Speak at your nursing specialty's national conference.

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