We are living the most wild time in recent history with this COVID pandemic, so I find it important to document our experience as nurses. Here are my reflections on the day of, and day immediately following, receiving dose #1 of the COVID vaccine. Saturday, December 19, 2020: I received the first dose of the … Continue reading COVID Vaccine: Dose #1
New Blog Post for AJN: Levels of Weariness Among Nurses
My latest blog post for American Journal of Nursing, "Levels of Weariness Among Nurses," is up. This is in deep empathy and support of all my fellow nurses everywhere. I see you. It's been the hardest year of probably our entire career, and I grieve the felt loss of public support. Still, our work matters. … Continue reading New Blog Post for AJN: Levels of Weariness Among Nurses
Columbia University Narrative Medicine Volvox Presentation
Please join me, the editors of "The Healer's Burden: Stories and Poems of Professional Grief," and two other contributors to the book, Lara Ronan and Rondalyn Varney Whitney, for a virtual panel discussion in the upcoming Columbia University Narrative Medicine Volvox Presentation on Wednesday, October 28th, 2020, from 7-9 pm EST / 5-7 pm PST. … Continue reading Columbia University Narrative Medicine Volvox Presentation
Pre-Order Now Available: The Healer’s Burden
I am beyond thrilled to share that this book I had the privilege to contribute an essay to, The Healer's Burden: Stories and Poems of Professional Grief, is now available for pre-order. My essay is titled "Silent Intercession," and I am so looking forward to slowly making my way through the rest of the pieces. … Continue reading Pre-Order Now Available: The Healer’s Burden
Guest Blog Post for Crossroads: The Worthwhile Art of Careful Listening
In an incredibly noisy world - particularly for us introverts - the art of careful listening proves to make all the difference for my family friend hospitalized in the ICU who had only one silent but extraordinary way left to make his voice heard. My short Crossroads blog post for The Intima: A Journal of … Continue reading Guest Blog Post for Crossroads: The Worthwhile Art of Careful Listening
A Letter from a Parent to Teachers in the Time of COVID-19
It only made sense this year of the COVID-19 pandemic for Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week to fall into the same period of time. As nurses, we are so aware that the general public will never fully understand or appreciate our jobs. I believe this must be true for teachers as well, especially now. … Continue reading A Letter from a Parent to Teachers in the Time of COVID-19
Essay for Spring 2020 Issue of Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine
My essay, Best Brother, published in the Spring 2020 issue of Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, tells the story of a long-time family friend who suffered a severe spinal cord injury last summer and, like so many of our patients and families, was faced with sudden life-altering decisions in the ICU. But with a … Continue reading Essay for Spring 2020 Issue of Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine
The Year of the Nurse: A Tribute
What can I say in honor of my fellow nurses that hasn't already been said? I wrote this for my team in particular at our pediatric hospital, but without doubt the heart of this applies to nurses everywhere. I wish I could tell you how they show up to work each day. They're my friends, … Continue reading The Year of the Nurse: A Tribute
Bless the Merciful (repost from Sarah Bessey)
This prayer by Sarah Bessey is worth praying, sharing, lingering in. And oh...for my fellow colleagues in healthcare in these extraordinary days, these paragraphs in particular are for you. "Bless the ones who lavish grace and bandage wounds and figure out how to make ventilators in factories. Bless the ones who intubate and the ones … Continue reading Bless the Merciful (repost from Sarah Bessey)
Example of (Virtual) Narrative Medicine Exercise
It's been more quiet than usual here but that's because I've been busy writing for my online Narrative Medicine program with Columbia University. I thought I'd take a moment to share the (virtual) practice of Narrative Medicine that we have been participating in for the program. It's a beautiful approach to using creative arts to … Continue reading Example of (Virtual) Narrative Medicine Exercise
