SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 02 ACHIEVEMENT. SUCCESS. OUR STORIES.

Nursing NewsletterNursing NewsletterCultural Diversity

by Simmie Shergill, RN, BSN, BSursing is a dynamic field of study and practice that takes into account

culture, social change, and multiple factors that influence health and wellbeing. It is a profession with discipline knowledge to help people, whether ill or well, with their diverse care needs (Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality).

Based on current population trends in the United States, there is a diverse patient population that we serve in health care. As nurses, it is critical to be culturally sensitive to the needs of the community that we serve and provide care to beyond our own biases. The patients that we provide care to come together from a myriad of ethnicities, race, generations, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds. Health care disparities exist across race, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation (LGBT population). To better serve the needs of our patient population and to work against these disparities, it is critical to embrace cultural awareness and sensitivity. The plethora of cultural richness and diverse backgrounds is extremely varied and gives us an opportunity to provide culturally competent care. Often times it is challenging to be competent in a culture other than our own, as culture weaves intricate threads through tradition, rituals, non-verbal cues, gender roles, etc. How can you be competent in a patient’s culture if it is the first time ever you have come across their rituals, traditions and practices?

Diversity in Nursingby Kim Copen, RN, BSN

Merriam-Webster defines diversity as "the state of having people who are different races or have different cultures in a group or organization". So I invite you to just look around. By definition, Union Hospital’s nursing staff can certainly be considered diverse. The survey conducted to capture the diversity among the nurses at Union reveals a largely diverse population. Why is it important to have diversity in nursing? One reason is because we must reflect the population we deliver care to. A diverse staff is necessary in delivering cost-effective, quality care and improving patients' satisfaction and healthcare outcomes. Diversity must be addressed and have representation across the nursing spectrum. Because front-line nurses have the ability to influence cultural-specific care plans by way of direct care, it makes sense that the advanced practice nurses in leadership roles become sensitive to the practice, for they foster policy and practice standards necessary in delivering care.

The American Nurses Association eloquently states that nurses are successful patient advocates if they understand three cultural systems: the culture of the nurse, the culture of the client, and the culture of the setting. Let's look back at our survey on U-Connect. Can you guess what sector of the population is left out? If you guessed gender, then you are right! According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), men are a small but increasing proportion of the nursing population and current estimates show that men are approximately 9-11% of the nursing workforce. If it is true that in order to promote healthy outcomes for our patient population we must have a diverse staff of nurses to deliver their care, including different races, cultures, AND genders, then our workforce is moving towards that goal. Just take a look around.

N Fortunately, being culturally competent doesn’t mean that you must know everything about every culture. It simply means that we are aware that different cultures exist, and that we embrace the nuances and intricacies of those cultures.

Cultural knowledge expands on the familiarization of cultural characteristics, belief systems, core values, behaviors, attitudes and perceptions. We can acquire cultural knowledge through seminars, books, lectures, or conferences in order to have an understanding of the similarities

and differences that exist amongst individuals. However, we may lack an understanding of diversity to its full extent if we do not embrace the concepts of cultural awareness and sensitivity. In order for an individual to embrace awareness, they must open their

heart and mind to flexibility; that openness should be free of bias, judgment or stereotypes. In addition, cultural sensitivity is pivotal to tying the threads of cultural knowledge and awareness together to weave a fabric of diversity that resonates across individuals and across organizations. Cultural sensitivity is knowing and respecting cultural differences and similarities exist.

It is imperative to remember that even if it is challenging to be culturally competent NEVER must we fail to embrace cultural sensitivity as in doing so we embrace Cultural diversity even if we have limited knowledge and competence of a culture other than our own.

In order for an individual to embrace awareness, they must open their heart and mind to flexibility; that openness should be free of bias, judgment or stereotypes.

Nursing Newsletter | Spring 20152

LEADERSHIPNursing NewsletterBrought to you byCommunication Councilat Union Hospital

The TeamProject ManagerSimmie Shergill

DesignerRegina Rahn

EditorKelly Schatz

WritersLauren BiggersKim GentrySimmie ShergillNancy Tuer

Contributing WritersCaroline BoozeKim CopenDoug FieldsKonnie KenyahMichelle LauerKelli MatthewsKerstin Vikari

Get Involved!If you would like to submit an article, or share a nursing story, contact:communicationcouncil@uhcc.com

View OnlineVisit online at U-ConnectNow available on Intranet

Union Hospital of Cecil County106 Bow Street, Elkton, MD 21921(410) 398-4000www.uhcc.com

Juggling Diverse Responsibilities

One must consider that there is usually only one house supervisor while there are phone calls or text messages to the supervisor for every discharge, bed change, admission, change in patient condition that requires upgrade or downgrade, or direct admit, and those are just the basics. One call to the HS to call in the OR team means the HS then makes six more calls. A call out on an already staff-challenged day can mean another 15 to 20 phone calls or text messages.

When does a routine phone call become complex? Inappropriate or borderline admissions, difficult family circumstances that affect care, and staffing challenges, in addition to conflict within a team or department. Then there are calls that have nothing to do with the HS, she is simply called out of habit. All of these situations occur simultaneously on a constantly evolving spectrum and just when an HS thinks she has heard or seen it all, there is something new.

by Kelli Matthews, RN, BSN

ften, fellow coworkers look at the house supervisor and say, “That’s a job you

can keep!” or opinions sway drastically in the other direction: “The job’s not that hard.” One thing is for sure—it is not for someone who doesn’t enjoy a challenge. What skill set is necessary for a job that solicits such varying opinions? Hopefully, this article will give you some insight into a day in the life of a house supervisor (HS).

The house supervisor’s day starts half an hour before the routine nursing shift. During this half hour period, the previous supervisor does her best to wrap up the entire building’s activities that occurred during her shift. Rarely is this done without distraction. In that first half hour there may be phone calls to the HS every 30 seconds to every few minutes. Those phone calls can range from simple things such as, “What is the name of the sitter that is coming?”, to a code (RRT, Blue, Green). What makes fellow coworkers say, “That’s a job you can keep”? It is usually the house supervisor phone.

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Holding down the fort at Union Hospital! Left to right, standing: Sharon DeVoe, Ana McCleary, and Sarah Davis. Seated: Paula Evans, Kelli Matthews, and Alesha Tunstall

Continued on page 7

Nursing Newsletter | Spring 2015 3

nurse. Once training was complete she went to her permanent duty station at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. There, Chavon was trained by some of the finest nurses and officers. Her love for maternal-child nursing flourished, as did caring for our military members and their dependents. She spent four years at Andrews Air Force Base as active duty and two years as reserve, obtaining the rank of Captain. After completing her commitment, she stayed on for four more years as a civil service employee until the inpatient unit closed in 2009. She was awarded the Outstanding Unit Clover twice, as well as the National Defense Service Medal. She currently works in the Maternal Infant Center.

Wen Forester, RN was a Staff Sergeant in the Army and served as a ground and flight medic for eight years active duty and four years reserve. She had deployments in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, and relief work in India. Her time was well-spent, flying in Blackhawks, doing ground and air medevacs, and working in troop clinics as well as in the field. “One thing about being a military medic is that you learn to be flexible with whatever you are assigned to do, whether it be working overnight as a head medic in a clinic, or providing medical support for a mission, or being in the field for weeks with just your medic bag and a lot of soldiers to care for. It was a lot like the ER, you never know what is coming!” She also had the opportunity to do public health, immunizations, and teaching in clinics for civilian residents of the countries she was in. Her experiences sparked a love of nursing, medicine, and helping others. Wen used the GI bill to go to nursing school at the age of 30 and has been a nurse for almost 10 years. She currently works in our ED.

Thank you all for your courage, commitment and service to our country!

GIVING

Care Beyond Borders

Alesha Tunstall, RN, CPN served as a Tech Sergeant (E-8) in the US Air National Guard in Baltimore, Maryland for 12 years. As a Medic, her total service included active duty time deployed. Her deployments included Saudi Arabia for Operation Guarded Skies; exiting from Desert Storm, she spent three months in Oman for Operation Enduring Freedom; post 9/11 she spent time in a MASH unit supporting troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. She participated in Humanitarian Missions to Belize and Peru, setting up free clinics in schools throughout impoverished areas. Alesha also had tours in London, New Mexico, Michigan, and Ohio. She traveled to the Azores, Greenland, Germany, Bahrain, South America, Egypt, and Ireland. She was a lead Medic in the Air Force, attending nursing school while in the Air National Guard, and a civilian nurse pre 9/11, but remained a Medic in the Air Force for deployments. The Air National Guard provided the benefits of tuition reimbursement in addition to paying for nursing school. Alesha shared, “It was the best decision I ever made. I experienced awesome cultural differences, a tremendous medical exposure and gained a family for a lifetime!” Alesha is one of our Nursing Supervisors.

Chavon Crampton, RNC-MNN, MSN, CCE, CLC grew up an Air Force “brat”, having both parents serving active duty. She followed in their footsteps and joined the Air Force in April of 2001. The military sent her to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where she trained for several months to be an obstetrical

by Nancy Tuer, RNC-OB

ilitary nurses have been providing care to the injured, sick, and dying before

recorded history. Over time, the profession of nursing evolved into a respected profession and eventually was recognized as a science. A few nurses through the centuries, such as Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix, and Clara Barton took up the torch, carried it, and were documented as the catalyst to developing nursing—civilian or military—as a science and profession of compassionate caring.

We often say nurses are on the “front lines” of health care, meaning they work closely with the patients and become intimately acquainted with the issues those patients face. Hospitals can seem a lot like trenches sometimes, as the profession demands the ability to think quickly and clearly in an emergency, evaluating a situation, determining the best course of action, and taking charge. This critical thinking is what military nurses have ingrained in them. These brave and dedicated nurses work in all specialties while serving our country and can be found worldwide, even in combat zones.

Here at Union Hospital, we are proud to highlight some of our very own “nurses in the trenches”!

Patricia Kelly, RN, BSN currently serves as a 1st Lieutenant in the Delaware Air National Guard (reserve component of the Air Force) and has for 11 years. She is a flight nurse in the 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron located within the 166 Airlift Wing in New Castle, Delaware. She has been a flight nurse for the past three years. Previously, she was deployed to Qatar for six months in 2008 in the Air National Guard Military Police prior to becoming a nurse. Patricia will stay in the Air National Guard until retirement. The Guard paid for her nursing degree and afforded her the opportunity to travel and see the world while being paid for doing what she loves to do. She said, “I don’t mean to sound like a recruiter but I certainly enjoy what I do!” Patricia currently works in our IR Department.

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4 Nursing Newsletter | Spring 2015

CARING

The Maternal Infant Center and Pediatrics are committed to breastfeeding success for all mothers and babies. They have joined with all the hospitals in Maryland to accomplish the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”, and to become a “Baby-Friendly Hospital”. In the last 18 months we have accomplished the majority of the steps and are on our journey to becoming a “Baby-Friendly Hospital”.

The Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Initiative

Caring from the Heart

As her nurse, I recognized that Mary faced much uncertainty regarding the future, was possibly experiencing shame related to the relapse, was still grieving the loss of her father and probably felt very alone. It was certainly a dark time in her life and I found myself wondering, short of having a magic wand, what could I possibly do to change any of that? Fortunately, no magic was required. I remembered that our unit has adopted the Recovery Model as a guiding philosophy in which to provide care. It contains five components to help inform our practice:

• Hope • Empowerment • Self-responsibility • Connection • Meaningful lifeKeeping this in mind, I invited Mary to

talk and she agreed. I asked her to tell me what led up to her being in the hospital and as she recounted a series of unfortunate events, her eyes welled up with tears. She stated that she felt overwhelmed and lonely day in and day out. She spoke of fears related to financial stressors and possibly losing her housing, shaking her head and saying, “I was homeless before and I

by Michelle Lauer, RN, MSN, BC

ust like plants need water, good soil and sunlight to grow, human beings

need a lot of kindness, compassion and acceptance to heal. As nurses, there are many ways to create these conditions and show we care. Regardless of whether our patients are experiencing a physical or mental illness–and often it’s both–our actions have the power to transform what can be a very frightening, lonely experience into one that is actually positive and comforting.

Mary (not her real name) is a 50-year-old divorced female who was recently admitted to 4N, our inpatient psychiatric unit. She came initially to our emergency department after having overdosed on pills, stating, “I tried to end it. I just don’t see any other way out.” For months prior, Mary had been struggling to cope with mounting financial problems, had recently lost her father whom she referred to as her ‘rock’ and was also reeling from the sting of a recent break up. Her minimum wage job at a convenience store was not enough to pay the rent, and she was in very real danger of losing her housing. In addition, Mary had relapsed on opiates after being in recovery for several years.

J

The team on 4N—guided by caring and compassion. Left to right: Rachel Walpole, Crystal Farley, Mona Jafarian, Michelle Lauer, Mark DeBussy, and Jennifer Perrone

couldn’t go back there. I couldn’t take it.” She also stated she didn’t have a strong support system, mostly out of fear of letting people in and then being let down as has happened in the past. The tears flowed freely now and I sat next to her, not knowing what to say. So I stated the obvious, that she has truly had her share of struggles and had been suffering for a while. She nodded and then there was silence. Not sure what advice or comfort I could provide, I asked her instead, what she thought her father would say to her now, if he were alive. She paused and then smiled slightly, “He would tell me I was going to be ok. That I fell down, as we all do from time to time, and that I should pick myself up, dust myself off, and try again.” I told her this sounded like very good advice. I suggested she take baby steps toward letting others in and asking for help. Then I asked what recovery would ‘look’ like to her. She told me of a life she had at one point when she was going to 12 step meetings, working with others, exercising and eating nutritious food. She stated she felt useful, connected and healthy. I reassured her that just by honestly sharing her feelings with me today, she was on her way. “You’re resilient,” I added, “and that is really the key to recovering.”

The patients were being called for dinner. Standing up, Mary turned to me and said, “I feel much better. Hopeful. God must have kept me around for a reason.” As we walked together to the café, I felt real gratitude to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse on 4N.

Nursing Newsletter | Spring 2015 5

COMPASSION

Overcoming Stereotypes

of the maternity unit, I was not prepared for the unfiltered patients of the ED. When I enter a room and introduce myself as the nurse, it goes one of three ways: there is the group of people that don’t bat an eye at a male nurse and usually tell me a story about how they had a male nurse before and loved them. Then there is a group that wants to crack a “Greg Focker” joke. Lastly, there are people that are oblivious and refer to me as “doc”. I just laugh and correct them politely.

In the ED I feel so alive, constantly in motion with an ever-changing assignment. I go from one room discussing how to manage your child’s fever, to dropping an NG tube. Five minutes later I could be performing chest compressions or assisting the doctor with a chest tube. This is it; this is what I’ve been missing in nursing. Once you’ve found what you truly love it’s an amazing, humbling experience.

Most days I do not view myself as different than any other nurse. Male or female, we all bring different attributes to our work family; we are all in this together. As you drive home after your next shift, humbled by the day’s events, does it really matter what sex you are, or the compassion you have towards helping those—your patients—who are helpless?

by Douglas Fields, RNknew entering a female-dominant profession would be both a joy and a

challenge. My greatest influence in becoming a nurse was my mom, who is a nurse as well. Growing up, I volunteered at her job and witnessed her compassion for her patients. Always being the calm, patient one, willing to work with the most difficult patient. She helped me realize that I wanted to help people in the same way.

Fast-forward 20 years and I’m living the dream! My first nine years in nursing I spent working in rehabs and long term care as an LPN, but I never truly felt fulfilled. I pondered changing my profession totally but I kept coming back to nursing, knowing that’s where I truly belonged. I decided to go back to school to obtain my RN degree. It was during my clinical rotations that I paid attention to each experience to find my new niche.

I discovered where my compassion was hiding, in the emergency department and the nursery. So what’s a man to do? I loved holding and caring for the newborns and sharing my knowledge with new parents. Sadly, I knew it was hard for new mothers to take a male nurse seriously. They didn’t have to say anything; I could tell by the look on their face and the awkward tone of their voice, that overcoming stereotypes would be more of a challenge than nursing itself.Thinking I sidestepped the awkwardness

I

Male nurses of the ED and Behavioral Health represent at Union Hospital. Left to right: Tim Clarke, Doug Fields, John-Ryan Rigor, Jeff Egbert, Don Tepper, Kevin Maloney

Georgianna (Georgie) Braywood, RNC-OB, BSN began her career at Union Hospital as a new graduate on the Medical-Surgical Unit in 1973. The vast changes in medicine, nursing, and overall patient care have been numerous. Georgie stated that a major change in the field is the transition from general nursing to specialized: “I can remember a time when you covered whatever unit, even running with the ambulance because that was where they needed me; today we all have our specialties and work hard to be proficient in our field.” Georgie tells the story of nursing with clarity, the transition to creating patient assignments based on acuity rather than numbers, decreases in length of stay from ten days to two for a vaginal delivery, and even the accepting of physician orders via the third person.

Georgie moved from Medical-Surgical to Postpartum / Well Nursery, and eventually came to call the Maternal Infant Center home. Georgie speaks of her graduating nursing class with fondness, but remembers only having one male nursing student in her class. She recalls witnessing the first male nurse on MIC and says most of the patients were accepting of him.

Nursing has changed drastically over the years. Georgie notes that any nurse who has been in the field for 20 years has seen changes in the expectations of charting, the introduction of computerized charting, and the introduction of new nursing positions. “Nursing has become more professional over the years, it is so much more than just taking orders, pushing pills, and back rubs; yes, back rubs were a part of your nursing care,” states Georgie. “We are part of a team, though I still offer the doctors my chair when they arrive on the unit; I guess some habits are hard to break,” she says.

When asked how she has kept up with the fast paced changes of nursing, Georgie had this to say: “To be a good nurse, I had to continue to learn and to adapt to the changes willingly. That’s how I provide the best care to my patients!” After 42 years of nursing, Georgie continues to learn and be a valuable member of the Union team, and strives to deliver the best patient care possible.

Georgie Braywood: A Nurse’s Legacy

by Kim Gentry, RN

Nursing Newsletter | Spring 20156

4) Do you have any advice for Union RNs who are pursuing an advanced practice degree? There's no goal that's not achievable, with hard work and dedication, whatever you put on your mind can be achieved. The good thing is, graduate school is much easier than undergrad, so if NP is part of your dreams or desire, go for it. It's rewarding and refreshing.

Cecelia Chopko, CRNA, Anesthesia1) Where did you go to school? Diploma graduate- Beebe Hospital School of Nursing; BSN- Widener University; MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner- Wilmington University; Post Masters Certificate- Nurse Anesthesia- Drexel University2) How did you know your specialty was for you? I must say that I did not always want to go straight to Anesthesia. Truth be told, most of my career was spent in Cardiology. I would have to say I knew my career was for me after process of elimination. I spent over 10 years in various ICU settings: MICU, SICU, CICU, and CVICU. Then I spent 5 years as a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner in Electrophysiology. But I was still searching for the right fit, after I completed my first year of Anesthesia school I was beginning to feel my search was over. Best part of my career: Everyday is a new day. It brings new challenges depending on my patient, what case we are doing, and the type of anesthetic used.3) What did you use as motivation when you went back to school, to keep you going? My mom would have to be my biggest motivator. She raised 8 children. She was nursing faculty at a local university and while raising her children, she went on to get her MSN. As if that was not enough, she then received her Doctorate in Urban Affairs.4) Do you have any advice for Union RNs who are pursuing an advanced practice degree? For those who are furthering their education, in any field, do not let the cost be a deterrent. That is why there are scholarships and loans. The biggest factor of success will be your personal goal and drive, not whether or not you can pay for school.

GROWTH

Role Diversity

Sandy Sweeney, CRNP, Hospitalist1) Where did you go to school? Wilmington University for both [undergraduate and graduate]2) How did you know your specialty was for you? I enjoy the clinical aspect of nursing. I got a Masters in Management first but missed patient care so went back for Adult Nurse Practitioner. My favorite thing is interaction with patients and families.3) What did you use as motivation when you went back to school, to keep you going? I kept telling myself that change is a good thing, and I knew that ongoing education was the key.4) Do you have any advice for Union RNs who are pursuing an advanced practice degree? Believe in yourself and your ability to obtain your goals.

Kyeretwie Bosomtwe, CRNP, Hospitalist1) Where did you go to school? I went to the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, both undergraduate and graduate.2) How did you know your specialty was for you? I always wanted to serve the adult population but not the infants or kids. I love this career path because I am able to understand their needs and help them, unlike the kids. I simply enjoy my job and the impact I bring to people’s lives. 3) What did you use as motivation when you went back to school, to keep you going?What motivated me or kept me going in graduate school was the "white coat". Seriously, I started as pre-med then changed to nursing, then Nurse Practitioner. So going back is what I wanted to do, and I still have to continue to the next level, doctorate.

by Lauren Biggers, RN

ursing as a career boasts such opportunity and versatility, that one can’t

help but consider many options when choosing their path. Often times, nurses decide to return to school to pursue an advanced practice degree. We on the newsletter team decided to conduct interviews with a few of our very own Union Advanced Practice Nurses to show how diverse our options are for continuing education. We all hope you enjoy!

Brenda McKenzie, CRNP, Palliative Care1) Where did you go to school? I went to the University of Maryland to an RN to MSN program.2) How did you know your specialty was for you? When I was in my Associate of Nursing program at Allegany College of Maryland, one of my nursing instructors was an NP and she encouraged me to go with a Family Nurse Practitioner program, so that with a little extra training I could go anywhere and not be peg-holed. I had originally thought I wanted to do women's health, I knew I did not want to do pediatrics. My first job as an NP was in a walk-in clinic, then I transitioned to oncology, now in palliative care. What I love about my job is I am allowed into patient’s and families lives when they are at the greatest need, and if I can make even one thing better for them, then it’s a good day.3) What did you use as motivation when you went back to school, to keep you going?Before becoming a nurse I worked in special education. Many of the students had a lot of medical problems and it was a helpless feeling having to run to the nurse’s office to get the nurse, and call 911. That was when I decided to go to nursing school. I really enjoyed learning and wanted to keep going. My family was also a huge support!4) Do you have any advice for Union RNs who are pursuing an advanced practice degree? Surround yourself with a positive support system. Get involved with school, dog your instructors for help as much as you need (most really do enjoy teaching and want to be there for you). And keep reminding yourself of the need that is out there for us as NPs.

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7Nursing Newsletter | Spring 2015

CREATIVITY

“…with a visionary mind and a practical approach, anyone can create an environment that promotes both happiness and health.”

The “Horton Hears a Who” board brings smiles on Pediatrics UHCC Photo Consents obtained for each picture

Creative Diversityby Kerstin Vikari, RN

ery often, nurses wonder what more we can do to help our

patients beyond medication and current therapies. I have always been a crafty person, so when I started working on the Pediatric Unit I wanted to try and incorporate this trait into my workplace. Creativity in nursing, especially Pediatrics, is necessary to reduce stress, anxiety, and discomfort associated with hospitalization. There are several colorful boards, themes, and learning points around the unit for children of all ages. Luckily, everyone on Pediatrics has a unique sense of imagination and together we make the unit a positive atmosphere. One of my favorite projects is our “Horton Hears a Who” board. Several of our infants can stay on the unit for extended periods of time for medical management. Though they cannot color or play games, I decided to include them in the fun. The parents love the fact that pictures of their children are displayed. Visitors and older children also enjoy looking at these pictures.

V As a Pediatric nurse, I know even the simplest things amuse our smallest patients…but with a visionary mind and a practical approach, anyone can create an environment that promotes both happiness and health.

Kerstin Vikari, RN

Continued from page 2

Juggling Diverse Responsibilities

How does one person manage to organize in his or her mind the staffing needs of several diverse units, evaluate appropriateness of patient placement, call in the on-call departments, handle staff, patient, and visitor complaints, formulate plans for capacity needs, serve as bulk stores, pharmacy, and dietary on off shifts, handle policy issues, be a resource for complex psychosocial issues of the community that affect the flow of patient care, all while answering a phone that does not come with a unit clerk to take a message? Having the support of staff members is vital. Every time a nurse takes a difficult assignment, a manager offers support, or a non-clinical team member goes above and beyond, it reduces the difficulty level of our jobs and contributes to our core values of leadership and caring and compassion.

It is the expectation, whether self-imposed or not, that the HS is the all-knowing resource, and when someone calls the HS during difficult times they anticipate that she is a problem solver and able to provide direction. Frequently, house supervisors battle within themselves what is the best choice. It is difficult to choose which unit gets the staff or to enforce rules and policies to people we consider friends. Keep in mind that not every supervisor is going to handle a situation the same way, however, while we all have varying leadership styles we all have the same goal: to assist this team with providing the best care to this community.

8 Nursing Newsletter | Spring 2015

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ingredients (Makes 6 servings) 1 pound goat, mutton or beef cubes4 garlic cloves9 cardamom pods4 tablespoons vegetable oil1 large onion, chopped3 cups rice10 whole black peppercorns8 whole cloves8 cinnamon sticks1 teaspoon ground ginger1 tablespoon cumin seed powder4 small tomatoes6 cups waterSalt

Culinary Diversity: Pilau Rice with Kachumbari

from the kitchen of Konnie Kenyah, RN1. Eat breakfast within the

first hour of waking up

2. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night

3. Exercise at least 5 times per week

Not only will exercise prevent chronic diseases and boost

confidence, it will also help with item 2 on this list.

4. Get 10,000 steps per dayGetting 10,000 steps per day is a

great way to measure if your physical activity is appropriate.

5. Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everydayIt’s easier than it looks! Include a

serving of fruit with breakfast, lunch, a snack (that’s 3 servings),

have veggies and dip with lunch (that’s 4 servings total) and a salad

or side of veggies with dinner (that’s 5 servings total)!

6. Limit snacks to 1 per day, 150 calories or less

You really only need to eat a snack if you are truly hungry or if you

know that there will be 5 or more hours between your meals.

7. Portion controlFor a meat, vegetable, starch type meal, your protein should be about

the size of your palm, the starch should be ½-1 cup, and you can

eat as many non-starchy veggies as you want! Practice moderation

with foods that are mostly white flour and/or sugar such as bagels, crackers, cookies and other snack

foods.

8. Quiet your mindUnplug from technology and leave

work at work. Sing along to relaxing music on your drive home.

Focusing on the lyrics distracts the mind so that it does not wander.

8 Habits of Highly Healthy People

by Caroline Booze, RD, LDN, CDE, NASM-CPT

Pilau is a staple food of the 'Swahili' people of the coastal part of Kenya. As with other Swahili foods, Pilau is of Arabic descent and is rich in spices. Pilau is served with a thick beef, lamb, fish or pork stew. Because Pilau rice has meat in it, it is usually served with Kachumbari (East African salsa).

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings) 1 medium sized avocado1 red chili pepper, seeds removed and chopped1 white onion, thinly sliced3 Roma tomatoes, sliced into half moonsJuice of 1 lemonSalt

DirectionsBoil the meat in salted water until tender.

Crush the garlic and cardamom together with 2 tablespoons water using a mortar and pestle.

Sauté the onion in vegetable oil until it is golden brown. Then add the rice, meat, garlic and cardamom mixture, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and cumin. Cook, covered, over medium heat until nicely brown, about 10 minutes.

Add the tomatoes. Cook and stir until the tomatoes are thoroughly cooked down to the consistency of a sauce.

Add 6 cups water to the rice mixture, bring to a boil, and then cook, covered, over very low heat for another 15-20 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.

Serve with Kachumbari (recipe follows)

DirectionsMix all ingredients (except avocado) together with a large spoon and season with salt. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to let the salt draw the moisture from the vegetables to create its own sauce.

When ready to serve, slice avocado and spoon into mixture. Then sprinkle with lemon juice, and gently mix ingredients.

Serve with Pilau rice.

Pilau Rice

Kachumbari