To the New Grad Nurse in my presentation today

To the new grad nurse who was in my presentation:

-      I encouraged you to always connect WHAT you are doing with WHY you are doing it to empower our patients with information…but you didn’t’ hear that because you were talking.

-      I encouraged you to take care of yourself, so you can take care of our patients, early in your career to understand the vital importance of self-care…but you didn’t hear that because you were talking.

-      I encouraged you to take care of your peers so they can take care of our patients, early in your career to understand the vital importance of teamwork…but you didn’t hear that because you were talking.

-      I encouraged you to look at your practice and see where you can eliminate variation because variation is one of the things that makes patients FEEL unsafe…but you didn’t hear that because you were talking.

Finally, I told you that if you already knew this information to please take your conversation outside so that the people who were paying attention could listen. But you stayed. And I’m glad you stayed to be engaged in the rest of the conversation. However, this isn’t about me. I’m nobody. I’m just trying to deliver a message for better patient experience. But the disrespect you showed your peers is not OK. And our patients, the ones you will continue to care for after today, should not have to suffer because you chose to talk through a learning opportunity.  They should be receiving better care, more compassionate care, more patient-centered care as a result of our conversation today. But will they? You are a new grad, and although you may think you know everything, you don’t. Please, for the sake of your future patients and colleagues, be teachable. Maybe you didn’t agree with the message today…and that’s fine. You don’t have to be fully engaged in the conversation, just sit there…but please don’t be disrespectful to your peers by preventing them from learning.