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Harmonizing to form a rainbow of power and accomplishments
MAY 2002, VOL 75, N E D l T O R 1.4
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Harmonizing to form a rainbow of power and accomplishments
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heard the following story a long time ago. but I believe it is still relevant to the nursing world today. This story relates to the importance of each individual’s unique characteristics and what they can bring to the team environment. Once upon a time. all the colors started fighting among theniselves. Each one claimed to be the best, most important, or favorite. Green unyieldingly stated it was the most essential because it was the majority of color on earth. It was chosen for grass and trees, and, without it, the animals would die. Blue interjected that the sky and the water are the majority of color on earth and the basis of life. Water is drawn up from the oceans by clouds. The sky represents space, peace, and serenity. Jovial yellow chuckled, as it associated its color with happiness. The sun, moon, and stars shine yellow, and sunflowers elicit smiles. Orange described its multipurpose role for health and strength. Not only does it fill in the sky at sunrise or sunset to add striking beauty, but its color is carried in carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas, which all are full of essential vitamins. Red shouted, “I am the ruler ofall. 1 am life’s blood.” Red adamantly promoted itself as the color of beauty in roses, poinsettias, and poppies and the color associated with important feelings of love and passion. Purple exerted its belief that it was the best because it is the color of royalty
and power and reflects authority and wisdom. The colors continued bickering and boasting, each convinced of its superior role. As the quarreling grew louder, there was a flash of bright light and thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors shied away from the sounds, drawing close to one another for comfort. The rain blared “How foolish you are to try to dominate the others,” and it pointed out that it was obvious there is a special purpose and uniqueness for each color. The rain urged the colors to join together. As they did so, the rain continued. From now on, when it rains, each of void will stretch across the shy in a great bow of color us N reminder thut each of your colors can harmonize The rainbow IY a sign of hope for tomorrow.‘ UNIQUENESS OF QUALITIES AND SKILLS Nursing’s hope for tomorrow is our ability to identify and demonstrate our unique qualities and skills, which harmonize with the qualities and skills of others to strengthen nurses’ positions and possibilities for the future. As individuals, we like to believe we are unique. Just as important, however, is the need to recognize what we have to offer that might reinforce and build on what some916 AORN JOURNAL
one else lacks. Perioperative nursing and patient care skills often are not equal among individual nurses. BRENDA S. Some nurses GREGORY DAWES Dossess the “I know” skills, which are skills used to provide patient care and assume multiple roles and responsibilities. Thesc skills might include a better understanding of a process or procedure (eg, understanding endoscopy equipment, ordering supplies and equipment, specialty patient care). Nurses new to the perioperative setting learn basic skills that they should practice consistently, but even skills that seem routine are practiced differently by individuals because of their skill level and past experiences. The “I know” skills become unique as individuals gain experience and increase their understanding of some specialties or practices while others improve their skills in different areas. Adaptive skills can be obvious, but they often are less recognized as individually unique because they may be conhsed with personality traits. Adaptive skills are the backbone of teamwork because these skills help group members move in the same direction. These skills can be used to adjust to dificult or questionable situations and, when used at the
MAY 2002, VOL 75, KO 5
right time and place, will influence others and outcomes. Being persistent, enthusiastic, energetic, forceful, or great at listening are a few adaptive skills that only some individuals possess. Influential skills also should be recognized as significant qualities that not everyone possesses. Supporting your boss; using an open, honest communication style; being willing to subordinate yourself for the good of the team; taking responsibility for errors; and simply being nice are examples ol’qualities that influence others. These are not always natural qualities, but they can be developed and exercised to influence outcomes.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACHIEVERS It is common to be evaluated during an annual performance review on “I know” skills. Adaptive and influential skills unique to each individual are recognized less often. Qualities such as preparedness, conviction, perseverance, creativity, curiosity, resilience. risk taking, independence. focus, and a sense of higher purpose have been identified as unique to achievers, including accomplished scientists, poets,
authors, and presidents.’ If we consider that individuals may possess none, some, or many of these characteristics, we also can assume that harmony will be achieved if we combine our individual traits to strive for exemplary professional accomplishments.
IDENTlFYlNG UNIQUENESS Combining unique qualities and skills can enhance the power of a group. One individual’s characteristics can add to or detract from the distinctiveness ofothers and result in adversity rather than strength. As individuals, we are on stage every day, but many times, our behavior is a reflection of the entire team. We demonstrate our individual qualities, and we often set a tone based on the uniqueness of our settings and the care provided without realizing the influence of attitudes, thoughts, and feelings that leave impressions on others (eg, peers, surgeons, patients). Posithe and negative outcomes are a result of the combined efforts of each and every member of the team. As an indjvidual, have you identified the distinctiveness that adds to your team efforts? As a
.YO T E S 1. “The Rainbow Story,” Creations by Xjuzr,
http:iimernbers.aol.coni/olhppielcolorsi(accessed 29 March 2002.
perioperative nurse, do you sense the individuality of our specialty, and can you communicate it to others? As a nurse, do you have the sense of uniqueness that enhances the traits of other professionals to provide excellent patient care? As perioperative nurses, we can strengthen our position and possibilities for the future by joining with other nurses to find our signs of hope for tomorrow. A first step is to recognize our unique traits and search out ways to harmonize with others. This month provides an opportunity to begin that effort. During National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12, and on National Student Nurses Day, May 8, we can celebrate as we enlighten others about who we are, what we do, and why our presence is necessary in the OR. It is our responsibility to identi@ the distinct qualities we bring to the OR team’s etforts. We must explain how our perioperative nursing skills and qualities complement the rainbow that we form as nurses. That rainbow is our hope for tomorrow’s accomplishments and power. BRENDA S. GREGORY DAWES RN, MSN, CNOR EDITOR
2. “A profile of greatness: The 10 characteristics of’ the achiev’ing personality,” InteliQuest Learning Systems, Inc, http://www.4iq.coiii/great.html (accessed 27 March 2002).
918 AOKN JOURNAL
E
L
Harmonizing to form a rainbow of power and accomplishments
I
heard the following story a long time ago. but I believe it is still relevant to the nursing world today. This story relates to the importance of each individual’s unique characteristics and what they can bring to the team environment. Once upon a time. all the colors started fighting among theniselves. Each one claimed to be the best, most important, or favorite. Green unyieldingly stated it was the most essential because it was the majority of color on earth. It was chosen for grass and trees, and, without it, the animals would die. Blue interjected that the sky and the water are the majority of color on earth and the basis of life. Water is drawn up from the oceans by clouds. The sky represents space, peace, and serenity. Jovial yellow chuckled, as it associated its color with happiness. The sun, moon, and stars shine yellow, and sunflowers elicit smiles. Orange described its multipurpose role for health and strength. Not only does it fill in the sky at sunrise or sunset to add striking beauty, but its color is carried in carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas, which all are full of essential vitamins. Red shouted, “I am the ruler ofall. 1 am life’s blood.” Red adamantly promoted itself as the color of beauty in roses, poinsettias, and poppies and the color associated with important feelings of love and passion. Purple exerted its belief that it was the best because it is the color of royalty
and power and reflects authority and wisdom. The colors continued bickering and boasting, each convinced of its superior role. As the quarreling grew louder, there was a flash of bright light and thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors shied away from the sounds, drawing close to one another for comfort. The rain blared “How foolish you are to try to dominate the others,” and it pointed out that it was obvious there is a special purpose and uniqueness for each color. The rain urged the colors to join together. As they did so, the rain continued. From now on, when it rains, each of void will stretch across the shy in a great bow of color us N reminder thut each of your colors can harmonize The rainbow IY a sign of hope for tomorrow.‘ UNIQUENESS OF QUALITIES AND SKILLS Nursing’s hope for tomorrow is our ability to identify and demonstrate our unique qualities and skills, which harmonize with the qualities and skills of others to strengthen nurses’ positions and possibilities for the future. As individuals, we like to believe we are unique. Just as important, however, is the need to recognize what we have to offer that might reinforce and build on what some916 AORN JOURNAL
one else lacks. Perioperative nursing and patient care skills often are not equal among individual nurses. BRENDA S. Some nurses GREGORY DAWES Dossess the “I know” skills, which are skills used to provide patient care and assume multiple roles and responsibilities. Thesc skills might include a better understanding of a process or procedure (eg, understanding endoscopy equipment, ordering supplies and equipment, specialty patient care). Nurses new to the perioperative setting learn basic skills that they should practice consistently, but even skills that seem routine are practiced differently by individuals because of their skill level and past experiences. The “I know” skills become unique as individuals gain experience and increase their understanding of some specialties or practices while others improve their skills in different areas. Adaptive skills can be obvious, but they often are less recognized as individually unique because they may be conhsed with personality traits. Adaptive skills are the backbone of teamwork because these skills help group members move in the same direction. These skills can be used to adjust to dificult or questionable situations and, when used at the
MAY 2002, VOL 75, KO 5
right time and place, will influence others and outcomes. Being persistent, enthusiastic, energetic, forceful, or great at listening are a few adaptive skills that only some individuals possess. Influential skills also should be recognized as significant qualities that not everyone possesses. Supporting your boss; using an open, honest communication style; being willing to subordinate yourself for the good of the team; taking responsibility for errors; and simply being nice are examples ol’qualities that influence others. These are not always natural qualities, but they can be developed and exercised to influence outcomes.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACHIEVERS It is common to be evaluated during an annual performance review on “I know” skills. Adaptive and influential skills unique to each individual are recognized less often. Qualities such as preparedness, conviction, perseverance, creativity, curiosity, resilience. risk taking, independence. focus, and a sense of higher purpose have been identified as unique to achievers, including accomplished scientists, poets,
authors, and presidents.’ If we consider that individuals may possess none, some, or many of these characteristics, we also can assume that harmony will be achieved if we combine our individual traits to strive for exemplary professional accomplishments.
IDENTlFYlNG UNIQUENESS Combining unique qualities and skills can enhance the power of a group. One individual’s characteristics can add to or detract from the distinctiveness ofothers and result in adversity rather than strength. As individuals, we are on stage every day, but many times, our behavior is a reflection of the entire team. We demonstrate our individual qualities, and we often set a tone based on the uniqueness of our settings and the care provided without realizing the influence of attitudes, thoughts, and feelings that leave impressions on others (eg, peers, surgeons, patients). Posithe and negative outcomes are a result of the combined efforts of each and every member of the team. As an indjvidual, have you identified the distinctiveness that adds to your team efforts? As a
.YO T E S 1. “The Rainbow Story,” Creations by Xjuzr,
http:iimernbers.aol.coni/olhppielcolorsi(accessed 29 March 2002.
perioperative nurse, do you sense the individuality of our specialty, and can you communicate it to others? As a nurse, do you have the sense of uniqueness that enhances the traits of other professionals to provide excellent patient care? As perioperative nurses, we can strengthen our position and possibilities for the future by joining with other nurses to find our signs of hope for tomorrow. A first step is to recognize our unique traits and search out ways to harmonize with others. This month provides an opportunity to begin that effort. During National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12, and on National Student Nurses Day, May 8, we can celebrate as we enlighten others about who we are, what we do, and why our presence is necessary in the OR. It is our responsibility to identi@ the distinct qualities we bring to the OR team’s etforts. We must explain how our perioperative nursing skills and qualities complement the rainbow that we form as nurses. That rainbow is our hope for tomorrow’s accomplishments and power. BRENDA S. GREGORY DAWES RN, MSN, CNOR EDITOR
2. “A profile of greatness: The 10 characteristics of’ the achiev’ing personality,” InteliQuest Learning Systems, Inc, http://www.4iq.coiii/great.html (accessed 27 March 2002).
918 AOKN JOURNAL