Objective 7: Participate in processes that influence the healthcare
delivery system.
At PLU SoN we have been taught that we are to be proactive and involved
in change wherever we are. An organization that is not continually
examining the way it does things and implementing continuous quality
improvements
will not thrive. We have also learned that America’s healthcare
system is in deep trouble and will not be able to continue in its
present form. The outcomes are deficient, too much money is being spent
and
far too
many people do not have access. Truth be told, I do not plan on being
very active in any big change concerning healthcare at the national
level or even the state level. I will discuss healthcare with those
I come
into contact with and probably will contact my elected representatives
when necessary but I have no desire to become politically astute.
However, I recognize that change needs to occur in small steps and
I will actively be involved in projects that will change
the system for the better. I will look for committees to serve on that
will
allow my
voice to be heard in areas that interest me. I will continue
to read about and research issues that are near and dear to my heart.
I will
volunteer for opportunities that will influence change that
I perceive as worthwhile. These opportunities will be carefully chosen
because
I know myself well enough to know that some things energize
me and some things drain me.
I do have a secret desire to change end-of-life care. I came to Nursing
School with that passion and am leaving with it still there. I am a little
surprised
that I do not feel compelled to go directly into Hospice or palliative
care but I know that I will be involved in changing our approach to dying.
We have re-humanized
pregnancy and childbirth and now provide a wide range of choices and
decisions for parents-to-be to consider. However, end-of-life is still
an awkward subject,
lacking the benefit of a thoughtful, constructive national conversation.
PLU has given me the confidence and assurance that I can be a part of
that conversation.
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R E L E V A N T W O R K S A M P L E S
1) Sepsis Brochure: This is a brochure my Leadership
group researched and designed as a Change Project for use in MultiCare’s
ICUs. They were looking for information to give family members that
would help educate them about severe sepsis. Last we heard it is at
the printers (April 2007). I am especially proud of this brochure
because it will benefit both the healthcare providers and the families
experiencing severe sepsis.
 View
a PDF of the brochure [1.6 mb]
2) GI Bleed Class: Kathy
Lopas and I developed this PowerPoint to teach our class
about GI bleeds. Education is a mighty tool in
the hands of a gifted teacher and nurses are by definition
teachers.
View
the slideshow
3) Euthanasia: Con: This is a piece of a group
presentation prepared by the PF Flyers from Nursing 260. I wrote this
part of the paper. It wasn’t hard because I have spent a lot
of time studying and thinking about the ethics and implications of
euthanasia. I am
currently planning on focusing on End-of-Life Care and hope
to make a significant contribution to this area of nursing.
View
a PDF of my paper
4) Euthanasia Cartoon: This is
a t-shirt I designed for our group presentation. We found that on
the surface there may
not be any “unpleasant side effects” but the deeper you
look, the more unpleasant it becomes--especially as nurses. There
are many
ways to begin a conversation….
View
a PDF of my cartoon
5) Website Critique: The internet
is changing the healthcare delivery system. Nurses
need to be able to critique websites
and teach healthcare consumers how to be discerning
in their use of the worldwide
web.
View
a PDF of my paper
6) Letter to the Honorable Dave Upthegrove: Political
letter written in support of HB 1809, the
Patient Safety Act. Politicians are my voice in government and I need
to let
them know how
I feel.
View
a PDF of my letter
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