What is your attitude toward change? Record your attitude in your blog, Reflective Journal.
No one likes change. We all resist against. But it is like the Who Moved Your Cheese? book, you can either starve or venture out into the maze in hopes of finding cheese! In health care, things are constantly changing. Often I feel, I just got one thing mastered only for it to change again. Sometimes change is for the better and other times it feels just like a major pain! Often we do not see the benefits of change until much later. Other times it is only through statistical analysis that we are finally able to see the positive effect. As a new nurse, I feel I am more likely to be less resistant to change because I have not done it "that way" for years. Everything is new and I have to learn it. So what is one more thing to learn? But I can see how it would be very frustrating to a nurse to have to change her system after she has found a way to make it work efficiently for years only to have to learn another way.
The hardest thing about change is that usually it stretches people's comfort zones. Some people are better than others at trying new things and not getting stuck in a rut. I like consistency and have to fight the getting stuck in a rut phase! I am all for the change if I can see the positive benefits for it. I have a really hard time if I cannot see the "why" we need the change. You make me a believer of the "why," and I will full heartedly make the change.
This has been very interesting to watch in clinical. The hospital is switching to bedside report. When I first heard about it, I thought this is so stupid! It will take so much time! I hate it when administration gets an idea, and we all have to suffer! But as I have done my research I have found how beneficial it is. When I actually tried it, I realized it was really painless. I just have to get used to it.
Other nurses on the floor have had a similar response. Others are stuck in the anger phase right now. Others have been onto the denial phase, replying that they will "bite the bullet come March" (when it becomes mandatory). I think it will help once the staff meeting comes, where the reasons for bedside report can be taught. The best way to motivate change is through knowledge. The power of education is great. This is what I was discussing with the educator. I loved reading about rational-empirical strategy because that is what I was telling him basically (the resistance to change comes from a lack of knowledge and humans are rational beings who will change when given factual info supporting the need for change). The book states that before any change can occur, people must believe the change is needed. Right now that is definitely the problem! If the educator can help people see it is needed, then we will be able to transition to bedside report successfully. I do believe that it will take a good 3-6 months (like the book says) before people start seeing the difference and truly become comfortable with the change.
I also really like how the book says that change should not be viewed as a threat but as a challenge and a chance to do something new and innovative. I want to be like that!
In my clinicals I have got to go to a lot of meetings. It is impressive to see all that the administration does to keep the hospital striving for excellence. Attending these meetings has made me more grateful for the company that I work for. I am so glad that I get to work for them! I even got to be involved in a planning meeting for a charge nurse conference. I love how much strength there is when you pull people with lots of experience together!
All my experiences following my manager has made me think more about how to take my nursing from just a job to a career. There is a real difference. Right now I treat my job just as a job. Between work and school that's how I have coped, I guess. I need to change my ways.... oh that word change again!!!
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