Have you ever watched a basketball game? These lithe athletes are running down the court going in one direction and then BAM! They stop, plant a foot, pivot and go in another direction.
The thing is, you have to be centered and plant your foot and stop before you pivot, or you’ll stumble. We’ve all seen that player go down hard when that doesn’t happen right?
Well, right now, this COVID-19 stuff has thrown us a curve (OK, I am mixing my sports analogies, but I miss my games), and guess what? We need to pivot. I mean pivot like Michael Jordan.
We need to be able to turn in a different direction on a dime. While there is a TON of stuff we can plan, we just need to adjust our plans almost daily. What we needed in personal protective equipment today will change tomorrow. Plant, pivot.
Staffing today versus tomorrow; plant, pivot. Care we can provide today versus just doing the basics tomorrow; plant, pivot.
Infection control, infection prevention, line lists, surveillance, order sets, assessments, care plans, supplies, pay differences, visitation, technology; CMS requirements, CDC guidance — all plant, pivot.
OK, so let’s just roll with the punches (another one!), get centered, stop and take a breath. And pivot.
One thing never changes: Where we need no pivoting is our dedication and devotion to our residents and patients and their loved ones. That’s always a home run, you fabulous, amazing nursing home staff. With that it is always a home run!
So, amidst all this chaos (our new crazy normal) I wish you a blessed Nursing Home Week.
And I hope this blog wasn’t a swing and a miss!
Just keeping it real,
Nurse Jackie
The Real Nurse Jackie is written by Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC, Senior Director of Clinical Innovation and Education for Mission Health Communities, LLC and an APEX Award of Excellence winner for Blog Writing. Vance is a real-life long-term care nurse. A nationally respected nurse educator and past national LTC Nurse Administrator of the Year, she also is an accomplished stand-up comedienne. The opinions supplied here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer or her professional affiliates.
