Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC

I was watching a show one morning about a woman in Dallas who has her father create these beautifully crafted and very long tables with benches. She’ll give them away but only if you invite her and a bunch of random people to a potluck supper.

The purpose is so that you can get to know that which you do and don’t have in common with the people you are supping with. (And, yes, you are sitting cheek to cheek with a stranger!)

It was pretty amazing. People of all ages, backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, orientations etc., breaking bread together and getting to know each other. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the experience, and enjoyed being invited to the table. sometimes, just being included is a life-changing experience. 

This made me think: What if we had a potluck, voluntarily, after our shifts, and sat down with the people who work with us, no matter what the department, job duty, no matter where you came from or what you believe in, etc.? Let’s break bread with others, maybe share a dish that represents our home, and share something about us.  

I’m not a Pollyanna, more of a realist, but I just think this can bond us in such a unique way. Can you imagine what a strong team we would become? We might even want to do this on a monthly basis. Kind of like family, but way less dysfunctional!

By the way, I bake some amazing cakes … just saying … in case you want me at your table!

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.