One of the barriers to mitigating healthcare violence is us - the healthcare workers. We are the problem. Does that shock you? It should. But let me explain. Healthcare workers are caregivers. We are peacemakers. We are caregivers and peacemakers who often face and manage perpetual crises. We learn and are trained to absorb these situations without showing outward reaction. Our drill is to remain calm amongst a storm that is frequently constant. It’s innate; we don’t make waves. ... [Keep reading...]
Professional Writing
The Shocking Reality of Violence in Healthcare
I have worked as a nurse for over four decades. Over the course of that time, I have witnessed and been a victim of workplace violence. By 2008, I and some of my colleagues realized something had to be done to stop assault against healthcare workers. In 2009, I co-founded the organization Stop Healthcare Violence, with the mission to educate and inform the public on the alarming epidemic of violence committed against healthcare personnel, provide support and advocacy for victims, and lobby ... [Keep reading...]
The Sky’s The Limit
A shift toward luxury outdoor living means endless style, comfort and amenities. Ah, summer on Cape Cod; sunny days, balmy weather, the air redolent with a light salty breeze. This is a time treasured for relaxation and rejuvenation. From your living room, you walk through the open French doors and emerge onto a stone patio, platter of canapés and nibbles in hand. You set the tray on a granite countertop and reach into the chiller for a bottle of wine while the sound of jazz fills the air ... [Keep reading...]
LIGHTEN UP: The Art of the Edit
Downsizing to a smaller home is an art, but you can still enjoy comfort and style in your new place. Moving from a spacious home to a smaller dwelling can be an attractive option for many, and we frequently encounter clients who are choosing to downscale their living space. Baby boomers and empty nesters alike are opting to downsize - moving from suburban homes to city condos; relocating full-time to smaller vacation houses; or simply selling in exchange for less square footage. Yet the ... [Keep reading...]
Waiting
Waiting isn't something that most people enjoy. Many of us want everything fast, immediately, now. Sometimes, when we don't get what we want in short order, we can become irritated. Throw situational stressors into the mix and some people can lose what's left of their patience, causing a verbal or even physical confrontation. That is what happened with a man who was awaiting his mother's test results. In an August 8, 2016, article in the UK Mirror, reporter Kelly-Ann Mills describes a ... [Keep reading...]
Lost Another One
London nurse Patrick Clarke's death is yet another reminder of healthcare violence. Patrick Clarke was a 68-year-old, semi-retired nurse working at a South London community mental hospital. On May 12, 2016, he lost his life. Clarke was attacked by patient, suffering multiple stab wounds. He died at the scene. As a human being, I am saddened by this tragic event, just as most of us would be. I am deeply pained for Mr. Clarke's family, colleagues and friends in the face of this ... [Keep reading...]