May 6, 2009PowerPhrase ~ Your cancer won’t wait
My acquaintance’s health practitioner told her,
- If you wait to decide how to deal with your cancer, be aware that your cancer isn’t waiting.
Great counselors present options. They clearly state the likely impact of client choices without telling clients what to do. My group last week was concerned about coming on too strong. It’s good to be strong when the stakes are high. Just avoid making their decision your decision.
April 21, 2009Poison Phrase of the Week ~ I’ll be the doctor and you be the nurse
As a nurse, Gloria had spent much more time with the patient than the doctor had. When the doctor recommended treatment that overlooked some symptoms, she spoke up about it. The doctor’s response was,
-I’ll tell you what…how about I be the doctor and you be the nurse.
The admonishment effectively shut Gloria down, so when she suspected a patient had meningitis a week later, she held her tongue. Imagine her regret when the patient died of untreated meningitis.
What possible responses can you think of to a bullying remark like this one? I walk you through a series of options in my article: Back off, bully!
Stand your ground with PowerPhrases
September 30, 2008PowerPhrase ~ last time I checked
I spoke to the Emergency Nurses Association last week, where I emphasized the need to plan phrases for common situations. I spoke about Code White, which is an agreement among nurses that when physicians are verbally abusive within earshot, they gather around and just watch. The attention makes the abuser conscious and it quiets them.
I mentioned the comment, “You’re so smart, why didn’t you become a doctor?” and an audience member suggested the reply,
- You just answered your own question.
I shared my husband’s standard response to the question, “Are you a male nurse?” which is:
- Last time I checked.
Whatever your line of work, chances are you face the same communication challenges on a regular basis. Why not take some time and prepare phrases to use?
I will be writing an article about PowerPhrases for Nurses. If you’re in healthcare and have favorite phrases, let me know.
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Related posts which may interest you
- Poison Phrase: That’s a terrible idea
- Poison Phrase of the Week ~ I’ll be the doctor and you be the nurse
- Facing the fire yields useful feedback for newsletter appeal: Success Story
- Code white, change and the willingness to see things as they are
- Crossword puzzle poison phrase. ER helpers. Answer, nurse
May 20, 2008Success story ~ Here are the improvements we’ve seen
The reader wrote:
As a health consultant, I notice that clients often overlook the improvements they’ve seen. I find it useful to review all their initial complaints and point out improvements they’ve made. I credit them with the changes they’ve made before we discuss what work remains.
What a difference that makes. It keeps them moving forward and inspires them to continue on the path to great health.
