by jitze couperus via Flickr
By Marcy Phipps, RN, whose essay “The Soul on the Head of a Pin” appeared in the May 2010 issue of AJN. She’s a frequent writer for this blog.
I’m going to swim from Alcatraz.
It’s daunting, yet irresistible, and a challenge I’m not taking lightly. As part of my preparation, I’ve purchased the book Open Water Swimming: Lessons from Alcatraz. In it, Joe Oakes and Gary Emich deliver a wealth of information and practical advice in a very direct way. They’ve provided much to mull over during my long training swims—and I’ve been struck by how well the principles they stress can be applied to nursing:
“Never swim alone and always swim with a competent pilot.”
It would obviously be unwise to attempt a treacherous swim alone. Similarly, it’s vital to work with a team who can be trusted to back one another up. It’s also vital to know who the resource people are and to have a mentor, whether formally or informally.
“There are plenty of sharks in San Francisco Bay.”
Unfortunately, there are occasionally sharks amongst hospital staff, as well. Shark-like behavior should be identified for what it is, and handled accordingly. It should never be taken personally.
“Wet suits are the most obvious way to keep yourself insulated.”
The authors go on to discuss the relative merits of different types of wet suits, swim caps, booties, gloves, earplugs, and swim goggles. In the ICU, a decent stethoscope and good penlight are absolutely essential. Scrubs with good pocket placement are also important, as are comfortable shoes. Some of the other, almost limitless nursing gear available, like pen lanyards, badge holders, and stethoscope holders, are more arbitrary.
Regarding waves and choppy water, the authors advise, Read the rest of this entry ?
