Lorie A Brown, R.N., M.N., J.D., Author at Empowered Nurses

On The Yellow Brick Road To Nurse Business Ownership

May 30, 2023 7:02 pm Leave a Comment

We nurses are passionate and dedicated to our patients with a unique set of skills and genuine desire to make a difference. Sometimes, we get a whisper, a nudge or even a hit over the head that there is just something more for us. For nurses dreaming of taking their career to new heights and becoming business owners, the journey may seem as daunting as Dorothy’s quest to find the Wizard of Oz.

Like Dorothy, you have the potential to discover your own path, overcome obstacles, and unlock the magical world of nurse entrepreneurship. The journey to nurse entrepreneurship is filled with challenges and triumphs as you embark on your own yellow brick road to business ownership.

EMBRACE THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: Dorothy’s journey began with an unwanted invitation to leave her family home in Kansas by stepping outside her comfort zone to pursue something greater. Similarly, as a nurse considering business ownership, you may feel a tug at your heart, and a desire to explore new horizons to create something meaningful. Answer the call! Trust in your abilities and recognize that your nursing background has equipped you with invaluable skills and experiences that can serve as a solid foundation for nurse business ownership.
GATHER A TEAM OF ALLIES. On her journey, Dorothy met companions who became allies offering support and guidance. As nurse business owners, it is crucial to surround yourself with a network of individuals who can provide insights, mentorship, and encouragement. Seek professional networks, joint entrepreneurial communities, and connect with fellow nurse entrepreneurs. I particularly enjoy the National Nurses in Business Association with its amazing tribe of likeminded nurses who can understand and relate to your unique aspirations and challenges. Together, you can navigate the path to success and empower each other to thrive.
FOLLOW THE PATH OF KNOWLEDGE. Just as Dorothy followed the yellow brick road to seek wisdom from the Wizard, you must embark on a quest for knowledge to succeed as a nurse business owner. Take advantage of resources such as business courses, workshops and mentorship programs designed for healthcare professionals. Develop a solid understanding of business principles, marketing strategies, financial management, and legal considerations.

Acquiring this knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions, adapt to the ever-changing business landscape, and build a strong foundation for your entrepreneurial venture.

OVERCOME THE WICKED WITCHES OF DOUBT AND FEAR. Throughout her journey, Dorothy encounters wicked witches and flying monkeys that try to thwart her progress. Similarly, as a nurse business owner you will undoubtedly face doubts and fears that will hinder your progress. The key is to confront and overcome them, advice you should remember from your first job as a registered nurse.

Recognize that self-doubt is a natural part of any new endeavor. But also remember that your nursing background has instilled in you 3 things: resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Surround yourself with positive influences, practice self-care and believe in your abilities to navigate the challenges that arise on your path.

EMBRACE YOUR RUBY SLIPPERS OF PASSION. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s ruby slippers held the power to take her home, a symbol of her unwavering passion and determination to reach her goal. As nurse business owners, your passion for making a difference in health care is your greatest asset. Let it guide you in defining your business’s mission and values and infuse them into every aspect of your venture. Your passion will not only fuel your drive, but also resonate with your clients helping create a business that genuinely makes a positive impact and serves those in need. Who needs your services?
CONCLUSION. Just as Dorothy’s journey was a discovery and transformation, your journey as a nurse business owner has the potential to redefine your career and unlock your new possibilities.

Embrace the adventure, gather allies, acquire knowledge, conquer doubts, and let your passion be your guide. As you navigate the winding road of business ownership, remember that you possess the unique combination of nursing skills and entrepreneurial spirit to build a successful and fulfilling business.

Top Reasons Nurses Are Leaving The Profession

May 25, 2023 11:32 am Leave a Comment

There have been several studies predicting that over the next several years nurses will be leaving the profession in droves. Bolstering those predictions are some of the top reasons for this exodus.

BURNOUT: Nurses often experience high levels of stress and burnout due to heavy workloads, long hours, and exposure to traumatic situations. I remember when my son, Evan was in elementary school when, tragically, one of his friends passed away over the summer. The school provided grief counselors and skilled therapists to help the youngsters process their grief.

In nursing, when we deal with traumatic situations, we are supposed to hide or bury our emotions and just show up the next day. There is no one there to help us deal with these difficult situations.

LOW PAY: Despite nurses being the largest workforce in healthcare and providing such a critical role in the field, nurses are inadequately compensated. You can’t pay people enough money to do some of the things that nurses do every day while sporting a smile on their faces.
LACK OF ADVANCEMENT: Nurses feel that there’s a limited opportunity for growth and advancement in their careers, especially if they don’t want to work in management. Many feel stuck and continue with their education only to find that the problems in nursing continue regardless of your education level.
POOR WORKING CONDITIONS: Nurses work in physically demanding environments and may not have access to resources they need to perform their jobs effectively. Even though nurses are phenomenal as “MacGyvers” who create workarounds to these problems, they shouldn’t have to.
INSUFFICIENT STAFFING: When there are not enough nurses on staff, those who are working to compensate for the overall unit feel overworked and are unable to provide the level of care that their patients deserve. Sometimes, nurses are required to work mandatory overtime, which is hard in and of itself, and they feel they don’t have the energy or stamina to do their best at their job? Still, they feel compelled to stay because of guilt.
LACK OF MANAGEMENT SUPPORT: Many nurses feel their concerns are not taken seriously by management and thus do not feel valued and appreciated.
INADEQUATE TRAINING AND EDUCATION. Many nurses feel that fulfilling their duties is hampered by their lack of knowledge and skills needed to perform their job effectively. Getting a patient for whom they have not been properly trained can negatively impact their self-confidence or being floated to a different unit to which they are unfamiliar.
SHIFT WORK: Some nurses work irregular schedules that can prove disruptive to their personal lives and make it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. From working weekends and holidays to prolonged 12-hour shifts makes it all difficult to have any type of life.
ETHICAL CONFLICTS: Nurses may be faced with ethical conflicts such as being asked to provide care such as in Catholic institutions that conflicts with their personal or professional values or if they are Catholic and work at a non Catholic institution and be required to provide care that conflicts with their values.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Nurses may suffer physical injuries like strains from 12-hour shifts of walking on hard concrete floors. They can be injured from tasks such as lifting patients and other physically demanding assignments and tasks.

Based on all these considerations, it’s a wonder fewer people go into the nursing field. Yet I know we love helping patients and that doing so is in our very DNA. It’s a calling that we cannot refuse.

Nursing will only get better and improve when we are able to speak our minds and stand together.

Nurses: The Heart of Healthcare – Uniting for Positive Change

May 18, 2023 5:58 pm Leave a Comment

Nurses, you are the heartbeat of healthcare, the steadfast champions of patient care, and the driving force behind the existence of hospitals. Without your unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassion, the healthcare landscape would be incomplete. In this heartfelt blog, I want to express my deepest gratitude and remind you of the profound impact you have. Let us stand together, recognizing the need for change in healthcare and how, united, we can make a difference.

The Foundation of Healthcare: Nurses, you form the solid foundation upon which the entire healthcare system is built. Your tireless efforts, long hours, and unwavering commitment ensure that patients receive the care they desperately need. From administering medications and providing comfort to being the eyes and ears of the healthcare team, you are the backbone of hospitals. Without you, the very essence of healthcare would crumble.
Compassion and Healing: In the midst of busy hospital corridors, you bring a gentle touch and a compassionate heart to patients’ lives. Your caring nature and empathetic approach make a world of difference to individuals facing health challenges. You listen attentively, offer comfort during difficult moments, and provide solace to both patients and their families. Your presence creates an environment of healing and hope, fostering an atmosphere that goes beyond clinical treatment.
Advocates for Change: As healthcare professionals, you witness the gaps and shortcomings within the system. You experience firsthand the challenges patients face, the strain on resources, and the need for improvements. Nurses have a powerful voice to advocate for change. By standing together, united in purpose, we can drive transformation in healthcare policies, staffing ratios, patient safety measures, and the recognition and support of the nursing profession. Let us be the catalysts for positive change.
Collaboration and Unity: Nurses, you possess a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experiences that, when shared, can have a profound impact on the healthcare landscape. By fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and support, we can stand together as a powerful force. Let us lift each other up, share best practices, and advocate for the necessary changes to improve patient outcomes, enhance working conditions, and strengthen the nursing profession as a whole.
Embracing Innovation: Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, driven by advancements in technology, research, and patient care. Nurses, as trailblazers, must embrace innovation and actively participate in shaping the future of healthcare. Embrace digital health solutions, leverage technology to streamline processes, and champion evidence-based practices. By staying informed and embracing new possibilities, we can revolutionize patient care and create a healthcare system that truly prioritizes both patients and providers. Yet, not losing our compassion and skills without being dependent on technology.

Nurses, you are the heart and soul of healthcare. Your dedication, compassion, and expertise make all the difference in the lives of countless individuals. Together, we can create a movement for positive change in healthcare. Let us stand united, advocates for patients, and catalysts for transformative improvements. The impact of nurses reaches far beyond the hospital walls. By standing together, we can shape the future of healthcare and ensure that the care we provide reflects the heart and soul that you embody each day.

Mentors Are A Must In Nursing

May 11, 2023 5:53 pm 1 Comment

As nurses, we are assigned a mentor or preceptor at a new job. Mentors are critical in your development and success. A mentor is an experienced and knowledgeable nurse who guides and supports the nurse still growing in their experience by guiding them to navigate the complexities of the nursing profession and how to help them to gain success in their new role.

However, I strongly suggest that you get a mentor who is outside of your employer because when you are swimming in the water, you can’t always see the shore. A mentor from the outside has a different perspective on things and can actually see the land because they are not in the water with you. This allows them to guide you more effectively in your progress.

The benefits of having a mentor include one of improved job satisfaction. Starting a new job is stressful and can be overwhelming. A mentor can provide guidance and support to allow you to adjust to your new role. This leads to an increase in your satisfaction which is essential for success in your long-term career.

A mentor can give you enhanced learning opportunities. Someone more experienced in the field can provide you with practical advice on patient care, offer guidance on clinical procedures and share their knowledge of evidence-based practices. This can accelerate your learning and help you develop skills and confidence to excel in your new role.

Third point, a mentor assists with career development and advancement. A good mentor provides valuable advice on your future career development. They can provide guidance and professional development opportunities, conferences or training programs to help you identify areas from improvement. With the support of a mentor, new nurses can find they will advance their careers and be able to take on new challenges.

The fourth consideration is that a mentor can help diminish the stress and anxiety of a new job. When you start a new position, it’s nerve wracking and can make you feel unsure of yourself in this new environment. A mentor can provide encouragement, support, and help build your confidence in your abilities by giving you valuable feedback. This experience will allow your confidence to grow, make you ready to take on new challenges and have a positive impact on patient care.

Lastly, another benefit of mentorship is improved patient care. A mentor can help nurses develop their skills and knowledge which can result in improved patient outcomes. As you gain experience and confidence, you will find more ease in taking on more complex patient cases and providing better care.

Nurse mentorship is a valuable tool for any nurse. It provides guidance and support, enhances learning opportunities, and promotes career development and advancement. By building confidence and improving patient care, nurse mentorship can help nurses excel in their careers and make a positive impact on the healthcare industry.

The Mess In Healthcare

May 4, 2023 11:23 am Leave a Comment

Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, a survey performed by AMN Healthcare, one of the largest staffing agencies in the country, did a survey. 18,000 nurses responded and surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, only 15% of nurses who work in a hospital setting stated they plan to stay in their current position 1 year from now.

But what about the other 85%? They plan to leave their current position within the year. They said they may be seeking travel nursing opportunities, considering going back to school, looking for part time or per diem work or departing the profession altogether. This is both sad and shocking!

The profession is still in crisis mode with unparalleled feelings of burnout and stress. It seems that new nurses, who already have the highest turnover rate, report significantly lower job satisfaction than do older career nurses.

I can’t imagine coming into this profession at the time of the pandemic or now. There are no other words to describe it except healthcare now is a mess. The survey found that things which can reduce the negative effects of stress include increasing support staff, decreasing nurse to patient ratios, increasing salaries, a safer working environment, and nurses’ input at decision making tables.

Certainly, putting money by increasing salaries is not the answer. I am not saying nurses do not deserve more because they do! The stress and the burnout will still exist and continue to paralyze the profession, with nurses leaving in droves. Any suggestions on how to improve the situation in healthcare? I would love to hear your comments.

Secrets To Networking

April 28, 2023 4:26 pm Leave a Comment

One of the best ways to get business is to network and in doing that, there are some secrets you need to know.

Secret #1: People don’t come to a networking event to buy your product or service. They came to sell you theirs. The key to networking is to create a relationship and then, after the event, set up a call or a coffee to continue the relationship. You certainly can do a virtual coffee on zoom as well. Go with the attitude what can you give not what can you get.

Secret #2: There are so many networking events going on, you could literally go full time to networking events. But not all networking events are created equally, and they are not all your ideal client. One of the biggest mistakes people make is attending the wrong events. You can identify the best place to network by knowing what problem you solve and that way you can talk to the right target audience.

It’s important to pick the right networking event to make sure that it is in line with who you are and what you do. For example, you will not want to go to a PETA event if you have a non-vegetarian food business.

Secret #3: Assume that the person you’re talking to is not your ideal client, but their friend is. That way, when sharing about your services, ask who do you know?

When you network with this approach, your ideal client will say, “Tell me more.” However, if they are not your ideal client, they can refer you to their friend because you asked, “Who do you know?”

Secret #4: You are the best kept secret if no one knows what you do. Be super clear on what you do and the value and benefits you bring to people so that they’ll want to say, “Tell me more.”

Secret #5: Create your elevator speech so that people can say, “I need that; I want to work with you.”

If people don’t understand what you do or if you use a lot of jargon, they may not understand your point and then likely will lose interest in what you have to say.

Secret #7: As a business coach, my saying I help people love marketing is so far-fetched because most people can’t even relate to that statement. Be super clear about what you do so that the person who may be interested in your services could easily say, “Yes, tell me more.”

Secret #8: Another secret for us introverts (yes, including me), pretend that you are the host of the party. Stand by the door and greet everyone, show them where the food is and start creating that relationship. If you act as if you’re the host of the event, you will meet a lot more people. Always exchange cards, but make sure you follow up. Many people go to networking events, collect a handful of cards, and never call to follow up. Is it if you?

I say you be in charge of the referrals. Expecting that someone will pull your card and call you when they need your services is like asking someone about a restaurant or movie they went to months ago. Out of sight out of mind.

Secret #9. Set an intention of how many people you want to meet at a networking event or in other words, how many hot leads. Networking is a highly effective business skill, if done properly and can bring in several great leads to your business. Now it is up to you to follow up!

Nurses Speak Up

April 27, 2023 12:09 pm Leave a Comment

You may recall that previously I had written about Julie Griffin RN, a cardiovascular ICU nurse (CV ICU) who was working at an HCA Healthcare hospital in Plantation, Florida near Miami.

Ms. Griffin claims she was fired from her position as retaliation for making whistleblower complaints about short staffing at the facility. She was required to care for 3 cardiac patients at the same time, all who required continuous monitoring, a task that was impossible for her to safely do.

In one room, the screen could be split for data on only two patients, but there was no way to monitor data on a 3rd. Ms. Griffin claimed that this situation violated the physician’s order for continuous monitoring as there was no full-time staff at the nurses’ station to constantly monitor telemetry for all CVICU patients. Meanwhile, the unit had 2 patients die because they were not being continuously monitored.

On the day she was asked to accept a 3rd patient, another nurse was assigned to just 1 patient. Ms. Griffin refused this request and, as a result, was placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated.

What is interesting is that other nurses would accept a 3rd patient even though it was in violation of the hospital policy and physician order to continuously monitor all these patients.

Ms. Griffin did speak up and voiced her concerns to management and administration, truly expecting the problem of no continuous monitoring to be corrected but unfortunately, her concerns fell on deaf ears.

On a very positive note, although it was made months after her termination, Ms. Griffin’s complaints DID result in the hospital’s policy being changed to where nurses can now continuously monitor all CVICU patients!

I am sure that a number of nurses in that unit were afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs as that happened to Ms. Griffin. If we are complicit, the hospitals will walk all over us.

Fortunately, Ms. Griffin filed a complaint in Broward County, Florida regarding retaliation and termination for making whistleblower complaints. Before her matter could come to trial this past February, she and the hospital were able to successfully resolve this matter.

If you encounter a patient safety issue, don’t hesitate to speak up. It can be scary doing so because of the fear of losing your job. But, as I say, “You can always get another job, but you can’t get another license.”

Should you choose to file a complaint, note that different states can have their own laws regarding “whistleblowers.” They’re also available on an online site, the Joint Commission To Report Patient Safety. In the Radonda Vaught case, which I have reported on in other blogs, someone filed an anonymous complaint through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which brought her situation to light.

It’s unfortunate that with corporate health care, it seems that facilities are putting profits over patients. HCA Healthcare owns 185 hospitals in the nation and earned nearly $47,000,000,000.00 in 2018; the CEO was paid over $10,000,000.00 for her services during 2019 while that same year, the Chairman of HCA was paid over $20,000,000.00 for his services.

Also, over the last 20 years, HCA reportedly has paid out close to $2,000,000,000.00 in criminal and civil damages, penalties, fines, settlements, etc., for various fraudulent and illegal schemes.

Can you imagine how many additional nurses could be hired if even a portion of that $10,000,000.00 or $20,000,000.00 was available for patients to get the care that they deserve?

Good Nurses Gone Bad

April 19, 2023 5:46 pm Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, there are some bad nurses who work right alongside the thousands of good nurses.

A 29-year-old registered nurse was working in the neonatal intensive care unit of Good Samaritan Hospital in Long Island, New York when a father of one of the infants was filming his infant child through the glass.

As he was filming his crying baby, he was horrified to see the nurse lift his 2-day old son into the air and slam the infant face down into the bassinet. While still in shock, he realized that his capturing of the battery on video was evidence that he could show the hospital officials as evidence. He wanted to make sure that no other child would ever be a victim of that nurse again.

Fortunately, despite the attack, the baby is now home. However, for the nurse, her career in nursing is virtually done. She was immediately fired and now faces criminal charges.

Something like this should NEVER have happened. Every nurse should tend to their duties as if the eye of a camera is always on them. One never knows who is watching and never knows if anything improper has been caught on tape.

I have no doubt that this nurse’s license will be revoked and she will be convicted of criminal charges for endangering the welfare of a child.

Polarity in Nursing

April 13, 2023 3:38 pm Leave a Comment

Polarity is the principle that everything has two poles, good and bad, love and hate, attraction and disconnection, and scarcity and abundance.

Everything exists at the same time, so we can see people living in abject poverty in tent communities all over the country. And then we see the royals and celebrities with massive wealth and abundance. Both sides are here and at the same time.

As a rebound from the pandemic, hospitals are offering lucrative incentive bonuses for nurses to fill the many vacancies in healthcare facilities.

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Virginia is offering a $15,000 incentive as part of the hospital’s largest recruitment campaign. However, on the other end of the spectrum, at least 52 hospital/health systems are laying off 4,000 workers, many of whom include nurses. These closures or layoffs can be seen in approximately 20 States and that the list is not yet exhausted.

What’s happening now is that health systems are determining that they don’t need so many facilities, so they are reducing or even closing some facilities. Unfortunately, with not-for-profit healthcare systems, the funds need to go back into the. organization to avoid taxes. That’s why we see new buildings being constructed, new services being provided, and hospitals being bought out so that the money can be reinvested to avoid taxes.

It is reported that California itself has an overall shortfall of almost 45,000 registered nurses. With its mandatory staffing laws, it means that nurses who work on units in facilities cannot work short-staffed.

Palomar Health in San Diego County announced an incentive program where they will award up to $100,000 for newly eligible registered nurses for a 3-year commitment. It’ll be interesting to see who takes Palomar Health up on this because, indeed, $100,000 is a lot to pass up.

Be careful if you are offered a sign-on bonus because one must wonder how the facility is staffed if they can afford to give away $15,000 per nurse as enticement and, even more so, with a $100,000 lure.

Also be careful of what you sign up for because if it turns out that the facility is not a good fit for you and decide to leave, you may have to pay the money back.

I know all of this is unsettling, but don’t be swayed by the money. Do your homework and make sure it’s a good fit for you. One of the best ways to check out a facility is to talk to former employees if you can. See who is no longer working there.

You can seek these people on social media to get a real feel for what’s going on there before you accept a position or even maybe move across the country to accept the job.

Nurse involved in George Floyd type case

April 6, 2023 11:11 pm Leave a Comment

Criminal charges against nurses just keep on coming. It’s a devastating trend and, in 2020, a nurse and 7 California Highway Patrol officers (CHP) were charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault in the death of a man who had been court ordered to have his blood drawn.

I’m not sure why it took so long for this particular case to get filed but Edward Bronstein age 39 was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to the police station in Altadena where he refused to allow a blood draw. His family members said that Bronstein had an intense fear of needles.

The matter was then presented before a judge who issued a warrant ordering Mr. Bronstein’s blood to be drawn by a nurse.

Despite the order, he again refused to have his blood drawn whereupon the CHP officers took him to the ground to restrain him. During that effort Mr. Bronstein tried to tell the officers that he was unable to breathe and, as a video of the encounter showed, he then acquiesced saying he would comply with the blood draw.

However, the officers did not release the restraints. The video showed that 6 minutes after his last attempt to say he could not breathe, his body went limp, and he was “completely lifeless.” Court documents showed it was yet an additional 7 minutes before CPR was started but the reason for that delay was not explained.

The officers were charged and, for reasons I have yet to learn, R.N. Arbi Baghalian was also charged with involuntary manslaughter. My concern regarding the nurse would be the extraordinary delay in starting CPR. Who would have thought that by doing their job, although it may have been negligent, they would be subjected to criminal charges?

The police need to respect and immediately relax restraints on any person who says they cannot breathe. There are ways to restrain somebody without compromising their ability to breathe.

It is time to stop criminally charging nurses in situations like this. Nurse Baghalian was there only to draw the blood.

It is unfortunate that nurses are placed in situations with police officers who don’t know how to keep a patient safe while being restrained. Such circumstances, as in the death of Mr. Bronstein, can result in a nurse becoming involved and winding up with criminal charges, as it is with Nurse Baghalian.

Author Archives: Lorie A Brown, R.N., M.N., J.D.