“I came to realize in my late 20s that my velocity was not going to grow so I had to learn to utilize what I had.”
Jamie Moyer, 1956-
American former professional baseball pitcher. Over his 25-year career in Major League Baseball, Moyer pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Colorado Rockies.
VELOCITY by Ron Noecker
In my work, a tension exists between efficiency and quality. The velocity at which I perform my patient interventions can significantly influence the effectiveness. Especially when I am caring for several people at the same time, it’s critical to develop methods that not only guarantee accuracy but also are done at a sufficient pace so that all those I care for are helped.
My pacing has to be worked on just like other aspects of offering quality care. The velocity that is not controlled can work against my purpose. If I find myself rushing, I know my patients will suffer. I want my pace to be steady and careful. Personal checklists that help me have the materials I need before I begin can be a big help. Being open to the skills of others and watching the way they go about performing tasks can be an asset as well.
Caring for others is a big responsibility and demanding work. My velocity of carrying out the daily tasks is an indicator of where my heart is. Whether I’m fast or slow, my timing will be a factor in the kind of care I offer to others.
Divine Mercy, the velocity at which the needs of others come to me can be overwhelming. As I seek to respond with love and ability, help me to pace myself in a way that generates not only good outcomes for others but that also is respectful of my human limitations. AMEN.
ACTION: What does your pacing suggest about your commitment to quality care? Make a list of the ways that you have managed time. Share your list with someone who is struggling with time management.
Learn more about the above photo by Rosanna McGarrahan below. Our thanks to Rosanna for use in this series called, “Holding the Tension.” Credit is given for the influence provided in “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown in these reflections. Learn more atBreneBrown.com.
Nursing Heart Friends,
I want to bring to your attention a Public Health project that we have been working on since the end of last year. You may recall Pacoxpón from this year’s visit from Johns Hopkins in January. Here is some more information.
The purpose of this ongoing community health project is to strengthen community health issues and approaches to local knowledge, addressed to the representatives of the families. The community chose to better understand the background and treatment for various diseases, as well as knowledge about the integral health of the human being. The residents participate in educational sessions with topics related to health: Medicinal Plants, Health Prevention, Water Use and Environmental Sanitation, First Aid, Plastic Garbage and Climate Change.
Pacoxpón is a community of extreme poverty, a town made up of approximately 70 families / 360 people, with an average monthly household income of Q1200/$156 usd.
Representatives from the local health committee, Nursing Heart and Johns Hopkins University during the interviews.
In October of 2018, the Nursing Heart team, along with partnersHombres y Mujeres en Acción, met with the COCODE (community leaders) and the health commitee to discuss and plan a working partnership. The health committee raised the issue that they have minimal resources and would like help with training and raising awareness about the importance of health. Together it was agreed to first perform a community needs assessment, interviewing the local families with the visiting Johns Hopkins School of Nursing students.
On January 8 and 9, 2019, ten students and two professors from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) joined six NHI staff members and several members of the Pacoxpón community to carry out the health and demographic survey.
Don Ramiro Tay; President of the health committee.
The data was analyzed and the list of requested education sessions, with topics related to health, was compiled: Medicinal Plants, Health Prevention, Water Use and Environmental Sanitation, First Aid, Plastic Garbage and Climate Change.
We presented this list at the next town meeting and the residents voted to start with Medicinal Plants. César, our Clinical Director. has been working hard on this project and I can’t wait to update you on how the training sessions have evolved and the positive reaction we have had from the community members.
To be continued….
Happy Monday and thanks for being part of our family.
Jade Parker-Manderson Executive Director xx
Voting day in Pacoxpón
Quote of the Week
“Your velocity is only as effective as the energy behind it.”
Amelia Sizemore Clemson University Nursing Student Clemson, South Carolina
About the Photographer
Rosanna L. Kunkel McGarrahan is retired now after a long and varied work life. She writes,”I worked for Washington State, spent 8 years in the Air Force as a Chinese Linguist, and then nearly 27 years as an oncology nurse. I have always loved to travel, beginning with a year in Japan during high school. I love to see new places and make new friends. I still have my best friends since first grade. My friendship with my English Penpal has also lasted nearly 55 years. People say that I have a ‘passion for life.’ I just like to live life to the fullest and still have a long ‘bucket list.’ As exciting as my life has been so far, nothing compares to holding a newborn grandchild in my arms for the first time.
