#NurseUp and Educate On!! Support Each Other!

Nurses all over the US are upset and simply can't understand how on earth a nurse could be fired for being a patient advocate, educating her patient on all aspects of their care and explaining in detail treatment plans, which led to a greater understanding by her patient and subsequent change in plans. Amanda Trujillo is an advocate for her patients, she did what we all do every shift that we work, make sure our patients understand what is wrong with them, the plan of care, which includes educating them on any treatments, procedures, medications, surgeries, activities or anything else the patient or family asks of us.
It is common for patients in the hospital setting to lack the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, whether it be the stress of the situation or the educational level of your patient. You are not thinking clearly as the patient in that hospital bed (I have been that patient before) and the doctor comes in to talk to you, he talks at a level way above your head. Then he runs out the door and leaves you lost, because the patient(you) is to embarrassed to ask him to explain, they think they trust their doctor and he knows best. But does he always ?? No its your body for peets sake!!! you as the patient deserve a detailed play by play of your care, your treatment, your medications, any questions you have, all explained to you in plain ol' English, not medical jibberish that you do not understand. As a nurse for nearly 30 yrs, I don't understand some of that jibberish at times, so don't feel bad!

Now back to Amanda Trujillo... if you don't know her story, I encourage you to read, search and learn all about this, it may very well change our profession as a whole.
I came across this article online and video of a TV station speaking with her, and I wanted to share :

PHOENIX (CBS5) - Inside Banner Del Webb Hospital in Sun City West, nurses are constantly tending to sick patients.
That's what Amanda Trujillo said she was doing last April when she spoke with a patient on the eve of their surgery.
"I discovered that they had a very big misunderstanding about what they were about to participate in," Trujillo told CBS 5 News.

Trujillo, a licensed nurse in Arizona since 2006, said she advised the patient of possible complications.

The patient decided to delay the surgery and reconsider his or her options.

Trujillo said she also ordered a case management consult for the patient to be educated about hospice care.

"The doctor, ultimately, is the focal point that directs care for patients," said Banner spokesman Bill Byron, who said company policy prevents nurses from ordering a case management consult.
"This is what we go to school to do. We are licensed to teach our patients, we are licensed to advocate," said Trujillo.

Right after that conversation, Trujillo said she was let go and a complaint was filed against her with the Arizona Board of Nursing. 

Now, Trujillo said she is fighting to clear her name - not just for herself, but so other nurses aren't afraid to do their jobs.

"What this hospital is doing is establishing a culture of fear, and what the board is doing by supporting that is they're setting that example that the education of a nurse is not valued," said Trujillo.
The Arizona Board of Nursing said they will discuss Trujillo's case at their next meeting in March.
Copyright 2012 KPHO (Meredith Corporation).  All rights reserved.

Let me encourage you now as a nurse to support your fellow nurse, support Amanda by going to the facebook page "Nurse Up" for Amanda Trujillo
you can stay informed about her case and see updates from other nurse bloggers that are posting about this.

This says it all, a post tonight from a fellow nurse, I have so felt the same way for years myself, Rock on!! we can do this together!

I was preaching about this 25 years ago. I was panicked and I felt guilty. I knew what I knew and I knew "regular" people didn't. So as a nurse I felt some responsibility. We have helped keep patients in the dark, and therefore dis-empowered them by our silence. We have not supported each other enough. We have not shown up, we have not stood up, we have not spoken up for either ourselves or our patients. WE have allowed ourselves to be treated badly though we've done our work well. WE have allowed our caretaking and nurturance to be devalued as a healing tool, and have let the "business" of Medicine threaten us. No more. They can't beat us if we stick together, and if they don't beat us, the patients will win! They will understand their choices. We promised them that. We owe ourselves and our patients that. WE are healers. Let's heal ourselves so we can help others' heal. It's time.

Amen sister to that~~ 

Nurses Care~~ Inspire~ Heal~ Nurture~ Each other~ 

Leslie~~ ER Nurses Care