Nursing: Group Process Meetings - Report Example

Nursing Group Process Meeting Order No: 166161 No of Pages – 5 6530 Introduction: Group Process Meetings are based on Motivational, behavioral and traditional science theories and their relationship to professional nursing practice. The foundation of theoretical change is based on identifying the nurse as a “change agent”. They are considered professional in the context of patient care delivery and group process in nursing practice. Group processes bring about a change in out look by giving us the chance to mingle with other people having the same ideals. It also kindles our knowledge, builds good rapport, makes us overcome shyness by coming out with our own views and more than all else, makes us “take responsibility for our actions”. Recently, I attended one such meeting on Thursday morning, May 16th, 2006. The meeting was held by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing – (the BORN or Board) It is a legal entity given the authority to take action against “statutes and regulations” that governs the nursing practice and nursing education in the commonwealth. Aims of “BORN”: BORN sought to make its importance felt by the Nursing Fraternity especially where their professional career was concerned. It also included investigating complaints against nurses made to the board and the necessary disciplinary course of action that was to be taken. In fact, the action taken by BORN can lead to a loss of the Nursing license of the nurse who is charged. The Meeting: The meeting site of BORN is their office near Fleet Center, at 239 Causeway Street, Boston. The meeting was to take place on the 2nd Floor in Suite number 600. Our small group of five nurses decided to meet at the entrance to BORN. It was rather touching to see that all of us were on time. Jenny was the last to arrive and greeted our group with a big smile. The building was a towering height and made us feel quite tiny standing in its huge and beautifully decorated hall. We were warmly welcomed and ushered in by Margaret Crotty who is the Associate Director of Nursing and the chief speaker of the day. The goal of this meeting was to encourage nurses from all sectors to give their valuable opinions and ideas of what they thought about BORN as an institution or an authority against indiscipline. The whole group consisted of around 30 members who represented their respective hospitals or institutions. We were served with refreshment like cake and orange juice which helped to give us more spirit to face the meeting. We soon took our seats and gave full attention to our speaker who addressed us with concern. Being the leader of the group, I, Linda sat between my friends. I had Lucy and Mae on one side and I had Jenny and Marla on the other. It would be easier for discussion and coming out with our answers. Our speaker first briefed us on the importance of BORN as a disciplinary body that had all authority to take action against any nurse that is complained about to the board. She gave us five minutes to discuss this point and come out with our candid opinions. Lucy, the chatter-box of the group was put off by this idea and said, “Why should there be such an institution like this when we have taken all the trouble to study and reach here? All of us laughed at her expense because we knew that she did not mean it. Marla was of the opinion that it made sense since it helped to keep ourselves in check. Members of the MNA attended every meeting of BORN to scrutinize its activities closely and take necessary action of investigating into any case brought forward about truant nurses. The members of BORN do not address any root problems or system deficiencies but on the other hand they are bound by an obligation of gathering and presenting facts of what actually took place about the targeted nurse in question. There was pin drop silence in the hall as it was a great eye-opener for us as there was an authority to take legal action if a nurse faltered in her duty. Mae’s rigid attention to the words of the speaker made me curious to know what was going through her mind. When there was a short pause I asked, “Hey Mae, what do you feel about what is being said”? She answered coolly, “Yes I think it makes good sense and helps us become better at our work”. Hearing this statement, Jenny who was sitting quietly suddenly got charged up and popped in, “You don’t want someone policing you around, do you?” I felt impatient with Jenny because she still did not get the right point of the issue. The speaker encouraged nurses to attend these meetings as it would work to the advantage of those nurses who are informed, proactive, and those who seek professional guidance when responding to a charge filed against them with the BORN. Soon after this we had a brain-storming session, where every one of the members was encouraged to give their straightforward opinions. One of the members wanted to know if a nurse would be brought to task for even the small mistakes that she commits. The speaker eloquently answered her by saying that we should learn from our mistakes and not repeat them time and again. We have to live in solidarity and hence cannot go making silly complaints at every instance. BORN was founded to lend a hand to the already existing legal system and its main aim is to bring to book nurses committing grievous faults when they are on duty. Another member wanted to know what the worst case scenario was in dealing with a nurse who had faltered badly. She was told that a thorough investigation would be carried out by the MNA who would collect strong evidence from other nurses. Attorneys often single out expert RN witnesses who can simplify and clarify various facts on the nature and severity of the evidence or facts behind the existing case. The speaker very patiently answered this question by continuing to say that the Counsel has a right to explain to the nurses the importance of getting “letters of support” from other colleagues in order to explain the facts accompanying the case put forward to BORN. These facts would be presented once again by BORN investigators to be looked into. On the other hand, the nurse who had been charged would be advised as to how to question, challenge, and refute any unreasonable, unfair or untrue charges that have been charged against them. The mission of this legal institution was to further embed deep values, lofty ideals and a holistic approach to nursing. The Nurses Profession, being a noble one has to set high standards for itself because it deals with the life of people who trust them unconditionally. Therefore certain stringent methods are incorporated into the system to keep ourselves in check and become not only better in our profession but also better human beings. The speaker went on to say that it is not necessary for us to be afraid of such a system because it acts as a check-post when we are faced with adversity. Conflict contributes to creativity and leads to problem solving in a group. The meeting concluded with a prayer and every one were handed out a questionnaire which was to be filled and sent back to BORN. I’m sure every one of us knew what the answers were because we really understood the aims goals and aspirations of the authorities of BORN. After all it was Einstein who said – “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Our small group of nurses had really enjoyed the whole process and they added that they had picked up so many valuable points which they were going to put to use in their routine work. There is a simple saying which says – “What goes around, comes around”. Reference: MNA Massachusetts Nurses Association www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mql/ql-13-toc.htm Mary Crotty, RN,MBA, JD and associate director of nursing. Email- mcrotty@mnarm.org Read More