Workplace Advocacy
District I focused on Workplace Advocacy during the last year. Speakers from different hospitals and clinical expertise were asked to address some of the problems that were identified in the first program. The location was moved to different sites to facilitate inclusion of staff nurses. The first program was presented by national speaker Stephanie Stabone, from the Texas Nurses Association, who initiated the focus by describing her experiences in Texas. The program was divided into two audiences, staff nurses and administrators. Both groups developed their concerns about the workplace, and based on these, the next program focused on communications. A model communication method was presented by Pam Turner, BSN, head nurse from Methodist Hospital, and Style of Communication of Nurses was presented Dr. Pat Cunningham. Another program focused on two hospitals, MMHI and St Jude, who presented their programs that addressed Participatory Management. The most recent program was a panel discussion on legislative issues in nursing that included perspectives from a student, an operating room nurse, and an advanced practice nurse.
Results have been an increased attendance at the programs. Other strategies to increase attendance were to provide continuing education hours and to have a meal. Pharmaceutical companies assisted us with costs at two of the meetings.
Some of the slides presented here (links are at top left)
are shared with other districts in hopes that they might
be beneficial.
Sarah Mynatt, EdD, APRN, CS
Vice President, District 1