Saturday, 26 September 2009

Where Have All The Good People Gone?

Once upon a time in a land not so different from yours, I stood in front of a man of note and heard him say, “Never expect to be thanked for doing your job”.

How wrong could he have been, for the words, “You’re doing a great job, Thank you”, drives us all on and motivates us to do better.

Giving thanks is not only good for a working relationship, but it’s great for the body, mind and soul as well

Those in management who uphold this thankless theme are under the misguided perception that highlighting only the negatives, which are most likely arse covering tactics, will drive their workers on to greater things.

Well, have I got some news for them! This tact will inevitably lead to dissent, low morale and poor self-esteem amongst their workers, loss in productivity and for some unfortunate souls, depression that will take them years to recover from, if at all.

The sense of worthlessness created by this thankless society, coupled with the current global financial crisis and the increasing expendability of workers, are pushing many including industry, to the brink.

Even Nursing, once a long-term employment opportunity, is under threat by the current staff freezes and voluntary redundancies here in my home state of New South Wales, Australia.

So, Is it so hard to give thanks for a job well done?

No, it’s not, and it’s about time the belligerent who are hell bent on thanking no one and cutting costs to the bone, changed their tune before they start asking the “yes men” that surround them, “Where have all the good people gone?”

The morale of this story: Thanking the ones that make others look good is what it’s all about.

Before I go, I’ll leave you with this quote from Albert Schweitzer:

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

To be continued...

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Sunday, 20 September 2009

The Dark Side of Nursing

It would be fair to say that most people outside of nursing would have a fair idea of what a nurse gets up to during a shift.

Aside from nurses having to deal with things many people would find all too confronting to do themselves, there is another side of nursing that most people know very little about: what I like to call, “the dark side of nursing”.

The dark side of nursing taking its toll

It encompasses an extremely small number of:
  1. Senior nurses belittling staff in front of colleagues and patients.
  2. Highly skilled nurses looking down their noses at less experienced staff.
  3. Senior nurses failing to help overburdened colleagues.
  4. Individual nurses making frivolous and sometimes false complaints against another nurse.

So, why does it continue to happen?
  1. Usually this type of behaviour is well entrenched with management either not knowing about it; turning a blind eye in the hope it will go away; or leading by example.
  2. It prevails because no one has the intestinal fortitude to do anything about it.
  3. Victimized staff see no other way around it.
  4. Staff ignore it with a water off a ducks back attitude praying the main offenders get their comeuppance sooner rather than later.

Danger Signs:
  1. High turn over in staff.
  2. Jump in sick leave.
  3. Low morale.
  4. Increase in frivolous complaints.
  5. Heated verbal arguments on the floor.
  6. Frequent visible disdain aimed at the perpetrators.
  7. Poor cohesion amongst certain nurses.
  8. Roster changes to appease warring parties.

The Remedy:
  1. Ongoing “Respectful workplace AKA Bullying in the workplace” awareness education and “Conflict Resolution” programs.
  2. Anyone with a complaint should first take the person aside that they’re having issues with and voice their concerns.
  3. Management to take a more proactive approach.
  4. Periodic individual staff interviews with management.

It’s only common sense but does it happen? No. Most times it’s left to drag on until it boils over where the staff member throws in the towel and leaves or refuses to work there ever again.

Question:

Have you ever encountered anything like this and if so, how did you resolve the situation?

Does this type of behaviour happen outside of Nursing? A: Bloody oath it does!

To be continued…

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Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Isn’t life just grand

Another good news story! Mum and our first grandchild, Emmi, have finally arrived home from the hospital!

As you can see, my son Stephen is as proud as punch as he looks tenderly into the eyes of his firstborn while cradling her with all the gentleness he can muster.

These first time parents have certainly hit the jackpot and I can’t help but think, “It couldn't have happened to a more deserving couple than Nicole and Steve.”

Steve looking into the eyes of his daughter Emmi Scarlett

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, and I couldn’t agree more. Isn’t life just grand!

To be continued…

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Saturday, 12 September 2009

Thank God You’re Here

Finally we are grandparents! Us, grandparents can you believe it? You could have knocked us down with a feather when we first heard news of this momentous event.

During the late hours of Friday, 11 September, 2009 our son’s partner in life and sweetheart, Nicole, gave birth to a healthy baby girl, named Emmi Scarlett.

Coming in at just over 8lbs (3.6 kgs), I’m sure Emmi will be a handful for these first time parents who have been together for over seven years and who now live in the top end of Australia.

Although obviously extremely exhausted, Stephen and Nicole are ecstatic with the birth of their first child and both look forward to getting a well earned rest and time to recuperate from a marathon delivery.

Nicole and Steve are the proud parents of a baby girl. Their first of many perhaps.

Yes, the birth of their first child will change their lives forever, and, as we look forward to grandparent’s day activities with our first grandchild, perhaps we may be forgiven for spoiling Emmi rotten every time we set eyes upon this beautiful creature sent form heaven.

Nicole, Steve and Emmi, we love you very much and you will always be in our thoughts. To Emmi, “Thank God you’re here!

To be continued...

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Sunday, 6 September 2009

It’s Father’s Day but wait, there’s more

On top of being Father’s Day in the land down under today, memories of holding my first born just over thirty years ago have again been reignited as we eagerly countdown the days until the arrival of our first grandchild.

The very image of our son holding his first child with his beautiful and enchanting soul mate by his side will be a sight to behold.

Flashback of me holding my first born in the late 70’s

Having put aside all thoughts of actually being old for so long, I will abandon my vanity when this miracle occurs and proudly state thereafter, “Yes, I am a proud old grandad”.

So, to all the Aussie dads out there, I wish you a very happy Father’s Day. For those that will shortly be a father for the first time, I say, “Well done” and on the proviso that your better half agrees and that you can afford it, “May many more follow!”

Steve and Nicole, we love you so very much and are extremely proud of you both. May your life together be free of hardship, full of love for each other and hopefully one day, we’ll get to see a great-grandchild as well!

Nicole, on the day of the birth even though we will be far away, you will be utmost in our thoughts.

To finish off, just in case you’re wondering, the poll I had going came in 10 to 2 in favour of these two love birds having a little baby girl. We’ll all have to just wait and see, won’t we?

To be continued…

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