nursingforsocialjustice

Despite the monumental efforts of some to live in a culture of safety and education, we still live in a culture of blame. When something goes wrong we want to know who was responsible for it. In my profession the something wrong is sometimes violence against staff as perpetrated by patients, family or other staff. I often catch myself thinking things like, what did you do to make that person so angry at you that they wanted to hit you? And then I take a step back because I realize that in the moment, for the person who just got pummeled this is not helpful at all, nor is it compassionate nor is it empathetic…which are also things that I am trying to be as a Registered Nurse. In the moment the person is hurting, the person is likely scared and the person may be traumatized. I think sometimes this blame happens to patients/clients as well, and it still always takes me aback, but I am slowly finding that my response to colleagues can make a difference. When I hear those words, “they have a choice” or “they did this to themselves” I see this as an opportunity to ask questions about where those beliefs come from.

I think that is is important that we take the time to capture those light bulb moments, those moments of thought where we have those epiphanies and write them down to make them real, to make them tangible and to make us account able to them.

Peace,

Michelle D.