March 22, 2010

Class discussion on motivation

Monday's class discussion was enlightening. I discovered something about myself that I had not really considered before. I am usually motivated by positive reinforecment. for example, when someone one tells me I have done something well I try to do better in other areas to ensure continued approval. Another example is if someone puts trust in me to accompish something I will work hard to do a good job.

But guess what. When I want my kids to do something I use negative motivation. For example, I will tell them if you do not get your homework done you will be grounded from video games for a week.

I have set a goal to try using positive motivation with my children, if I prefer positive motivation maybe they do to.

March 15 class discussion

Personal Career Development Plan

• Finish BSN program
• Cross train to the pediatric unit
• Obtain PALS certification
• Apply for clinical supervisor position
• Take advantage of non-formal educational opportunities
• Be open to opportunities that may arise
• Participate on various committee's
• Revise plan as needed.

March 1 clinicals 0900-1600

WHAT: I taught the skills labs again. Employees where told that the labs would take 6 hours. The labs would go from 0900 to 1800 so in order to complete all of the labs they would need to start no later than 1200. Most of the employees waited until 1100 to show up so I had some down time.

SO WHAT: I did some homework. The same thing is happening today and that is why I have some time do be bloging right now.

NOW WHAT: I think I will suggest that employees be assisged a specific time slot so that we do not have the down time that nobody is here and then get a rush. If 5-10 people are assigned at a time every 30min, which is the average time each lab took, the time would be used better.

March 1, Chapter 8 Planned Change

What is my attitude toward change?

I am a creature of habit. I like to have a routine it helps me feel like I know what I am doing and have some control.

Although I am open to changes, especially if the change will make an improvement to the given situation, I do have a hard time adjusting to the change and working it into my routine.

An example of a change at work that many of us are forgeting to do is our shift change hand off. We have been asked to go into each room, say goodbye, and introduce the new person who is replacing you. This change has been in place for several months and we still forget. For me it is just remembering to make it part of my routine.

In the reading I read that most changes will take six months to be fully accepted and everyone compliant. I see this in our shift hand off. Little by little more and more of use are remembering more often to do the hand off, but is taking a while for everyone to adjust.

I do agree with the reading that changes are easier when everyone has some input and the reason for the change is clearly understood with the benifits clearly outlined.