Invitation: Nursing Activism Think Tank!

February 5, 2018February 21, 2018 / Peggy L Chinn / 9 Comments

Event: A NurseManifest Think Tank organized by Peggy Chinn, Adeline Falk-Rafael, and Sue Hagedorn. Dates: July 30-31, 2018

We are very excited to invite you to participate in a Nursing Activism Think Tank – a gathering of nurses who have a passion for action that brings nursing values to the center, creates change to realize social justice in nursing, healthcare, and the populations we serve, and builds networks of support for activism in nursing at every level. Our specific goal is very broad – to brainstorm what might be possible, and follow those possibilities wherever they might lead.

We are concerned that although we have a strong legacy in nursing of significant activism, in today’s environment there is very little support for nurses who feel an urgency to address grassroots problems. A few examples –

Lack of networks of support for those who take risks in the public arena, who might run for public office, who recognize situations where urgent change is needed, and eventually become discouraged and abandon nursing altogether.
Lack of educational opportunities that nurture nursing activism, and even devalue activism (such as negative attitudes toward unions, lack of learning activities focused on serving disenfranchised populations)
Lack of education and certification avenues to prepare for nursing roles to promote social justice in nursing and healthcare.
Still-present oppressive environments in many workplaces where nursing priorities, voices and actions are not valued.

We want to be part of changing these circumstances, and so we are reaching out to other nurses to support one another in making change. We envision a small group, but we do not want to limit participation. We simply ask that all who come are eager, passionate and ready to join others in a cooperative spirit of solidarity to engage with activism in nursing. If you know someone who shares your ideas and vision who might also want to come along, they are welcome to also participate (each person needs to complete an Interest Form – details below).

We envision a two-day gathering with a very flexible structure – building on each person’s stories that reflect passion, commitment and visions for social activism. We are asking each participant to bring a photograph or object around which to explore your personal story, from which we will build visions for future possibilities. The first day of our gathering will focus on developing our stories – a process that will be facilitated by staff from the Nurstory Project. The stories can be used eventually to develop a digital story, which will be introduced as part of the process. The next whole day will focus on developing our visions as a group. Throughout, we anticipate some time looking back at the work of nurses who have created the legacy of nursing activism – a legacy that can inspire what we envision today.

Here are the details:

Dates: all day, July 30-31, 2018. If you are traveling from a distant location, you will need to arrive late in the afternoon July 29th. The Think Tank gathering will begin at 9 am on Monday morning. Departure can be as early as late afternoon on July 31st, but staying the evening will extend the time for networking and developing ongoing relationships!

Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing – The nearby Campus Center has several options for food, meeting rooms and parking; and the hotel is also contained within the Center.

Lodging: You can stay at the Hotel UMass, located in the Amherst Campus Center, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003. Phone: 866-238-4218. For reservations, call or go online: http://www.guestreservations.com/hotel-umass/booking. The rate is $149 per night, plus tax and recovery fees, prepaid. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of your booking for a full refund; after the 24 hour advance time, you are charged for 1 night plus tax and fees. There are other hotels and motels in and around Amherst, as well as campgrounds, and B&B locations!

Cost: There is no registration cost involved. We are exploring possibilities for funding to help support travel and lodging expenses, but you may need to cover all of your own expenses for travel, lodging and meals. If you can only participate if there is funding, please let us know (the interest form has a place for this!)

Travel and transportation: If you fly, the closest airport is Hartford/Springfield Bradley (1 hour drive to Campus Center). Boston Logan is also an option (2 hour drive to Campus Center). For those who fly, we will help work out shared transportation to the campus as needed. If you drive, parking at the campus center is convenient and easy to locate.

What to bring: Bring a photograph (2 or 3 if you wish) or an object from which to develop your story that conveys your passions and concerns related to activism in nursing. Don’t worry if the story itself is not clear in your mind – that will happen as part of the experience!

It will be summer in Western Massachusetts – but the Campus Center is air conditioned – so plan on layers for inside and casual outdoor summer clothing! There will be no “dress up” occasions!

Need more information? Just ask! Use our contact form for the Nursing Activism Think Tank

Seriously Interested? Fill out our online Interest Form. We will confirm your registration within a few days, and will make sure you receive announcements and further information along the way!

Power of Words

January 11, 2018 / Peggy L Chinn / 5 Comments

Recently a blog post appeared on the American Journal of Nursing’s blog “Off the Charts” by Juliana Paradisi titled “Comforting Our Patients: The Importance of Well-Chosen Words.” Her message is right on track, and deserves not only reading, but reflecting on the many ways that the words we use – both personally and professionally – profoundly effect every aspect of our lives.

One of the most important messages in Paradisi’s post is the importance of practice – something that also appears my work with Maeona Kramer on the development of aesthetic knowing (see chapter 6 in the 10th Edition). There we call this “rehearsal” and describe how important it is for nurses to envision and rehearse both the words and movements that form aesthetic nursing practice. One way to do this is the share a story recounting what happened in a particular situation – particularly a situation that did not go so well. Then imagine different ways the scenario might have played out, discussing alternative story lines and endings and rehearsing them with your peers.

The importance of words also comes into play in “peace and power” processes, particularly the process of critical reflection – a process that emphasizes not only what we say but how we say it. Critical reflection also requires practice – practice that can happen in real time, in every day situations once you mentally prepare to do it! You use critical reflection to let people around you know that you are having second thoughts, or ideas about a situation, and when something happens that brings forth negative feelings and conflict. Here is how you present your reflection:

I feel … focus on your own feelings without blaming others
When (or about) … describe factually what happened when your feelings came to the surface.
I want .. describe what you envision happening next, even if it seems impossible to happen.
Because … name the value that you share with those around you – your shared hopes, intentions, desires.

Those of us who have practiced this kind of reflection and have used it for even the most simple of challenges (someone leaves a mess around the house, someone is always late, etc.) knows the power of using words in this way!

I welcome other ideas and thoughts – even sharing your ideas here is a way to practice! In this time when words that harm are used so freely and publicly, I believe that as nurses we can change the world – by simply learning and practicing how to use our words to heal, to comfort, the bring about peace!

Peace & Power Website – Updated and Expanded!

November 26, 2017 / Peggy L Chinn / 2 Comments

I am delighted to announce major expansions on the Peace & Power website! In addition to updates of the content on the web, there is a new sidebar featuring links to PDF files of the “2018 Handbook” – a condensed version of the essential content that groups need to candle1 consider as they implement Peace & Power ideals! The full Handbook is available in addition to each of the chapters, so you can select just what you need and want! The Table of Contents of the new Handbook is shown below. The handbook does not include the many examples and stories in the 8th edition, but many of these are on the website as sub-menus on selected pages.

I welcome contributions to the Peace & Power blog at any time! Contact me to share your stories, ideas and questions – I promise I will respond!

Table of Contents

Reflections on Nurses Declaration of Solidarity and Resistance

November 4, 2017 / Peggy L Chinn / 1 Comment

It has been nine months since we posted the Nurses Declaration of Solidarity and Resistance, calling for nurses to join together in expressing the values on which we will act in the face of potential US government policies and actions harming health and well-being of people and the environment. We now have over 2,000 co-signers – a modest but important expression of concern and determination to act to protect and promote health. We have heard from many NurseManifest readers with comments, some raising concerns and issues with bits and pieces of our Declaration, but many giving “voice” to their own renewed dedication to exercise the rights of citizenship on behalf of these values.

Now, nine months later, it is clear that we had a sound basis for sounding the alarm regarding the new administration’s intentions. At the same time, the underlying belief in the power of people to resist is also well-founded. The efforts to dismantle and undermine the US Affordable Care Act have not abated, and some of these efforts are beyond our reach, but the remarkable resistance expressed by people across the nation has been loud and clear, and largely effective. Indeed, there is no thoughtful person who claims that the ACA is as it should be, but the steps that it provided toward more equitable care for all have embedded in the heart and mind of our nation that we can do better than we have in the past, and that it is worth striving toward an even better way.

Yes there are many reasons to still despair. Serious, deeply embedded social and political problems like the challenges of healthcare, protection of the environment, and protections against economic insecurity seem intractable. But as we support one another in raising our voices and lending our energies to work toward the ideals we seek, we will continue to see a way forward to do what we believe is right and good.

So today, I call upon all who read this blog, to reflect on the values that are embedded in the Declaration, and in the Nursing Manifesto, and renew your focus on values that guide your intentions and that energize your actions! Share with us here things that have inspired you over the past few months, and that have made it possible to act on the values you hold dear!

Overdose Prevention Ottawa Continues Life-Saving Service on Twentieth day of Operations

September 13, 2017 / Natalie SD / Leave a comment

Nurses are part of leading important harm reduction efforts across Canada. These efforts are bringing about real changes in communities. The introduction of Fentanyl on the black market has led to thousands of deaths across North America. Overdose prevention sites have been popping up here and there to help reduce the number of victims and provide safe spaces for drug users. Here is an update on the situation in Ottawa:

Overdose Prevention Ottawa

On its twentieth day of operation, Overdose Prevention Ottawa (OPO) continues to provide life-saving harm reduction services to its guests.

OPO applauds the upcoming expedited opening of Sandy Hill Community Centre’s supervised injection service, and yesterday’s announcement that Ottawa Public Health will be opening a satellite supervised injection service on Clarence Street in the coming weeks. We are also encouraged to see Somerset West Community Health Centre’s and Ottawa Inner City Health`s supervised injection service pending approval by Health Canada.

OPO has worked collaboratively with all Ottawa harm-reduction partners and stakeholders since opening and will continue to do so moving forward. As OPO continues to be the only active overdose prevention service coupled with harm reduction services for those most affected by drug prohibition and homelessness, our services will continue operating. OPO is committed to an evidence-based model of care that is demonstrably successful and unique in the City of…

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